14. Choking on Chestnuts
fourteen
Choking on Chestnuts
Ember
F or the first time since I've been here, I wake up in bed with someone. And not just anyone... all three of them. I sit up, reaching my arms toward the ceiling, and stretch my body, exhaling in satisfaction. Looking out the window, I see the snow still falling, thick, beautiful flakes cascading from the sky. Only a few more days until Christmas break is over and I have to go back to college. There's been some talk about me staying here, but nothing is definite yet.
I glance back at the three sleeping figures next to me, feeling a sense of contentment and warmth in my heart. The idea of staying here, in this moment, with these people feels more and more appealing as the days pass. I quietly slip out of bed and tiptoe out of the room, making my way downstairs to start the coffee brewing.
As I stand in the kitchen, staring out at the winter wonderland that surrounds the house, I find myself lost in thought. The idea of going back to college suddenly feels daunting and unappealing. I’ve made so many memories here with these people, and the thought of leaving them feels like a weight on my chest.
I decide to go for a walk in the snow, letting the chilly air and the peaceful silence of the winter landscape wash over me. Maybe staying here is the right choice after all. Maybe this is where I truly belong. And as I make my way back to the house, I can't help but feel that my heart has made its decision.
Walking inside the house, I stomp my boots, letting the snow fall onto the mat. I close the door and take my coat off, coming face to face with Koda, a sleepy, sexy smirk on his face.
"What were you doing?" He asks, pulling me into his arms to warm me up.
"I needed some fresh air. It's beautiful outside in the snow."
"Are you alright?"
"Yeah..." I start, pausing when I notice the look in his eye. "I just keep struggling with the whole Shawn thing."
His brows pinch in slight confusion, and a flicker of hesitation is quite evident in his eyes. "What do you mean?"
"I want to know what happened, like what Ev and Baine did, but at the same time, I don't want to know."
"Well, I was going to watch the recording, so if you want to, you can watch it with me."
Sucking in a greedy breath as my heart thunders wildly inside my chest, I look up at Koda through my long lashes as we sway back and forth to an imaginary beat.
"Is he alive?" I brace myself for his answer, holding my breath for the worst.
"Barely, but he'll survive."
"Wh...what did they do?"
"I don't know. I have to watch it."
"Fine, I'll come with you." Koda takes my hand and guides me to the game room, plopping onto the couch and pulling me onto his lap. With his laptop on the table in front of us, he opens the screen and finds a file, looking at me before he hits play. "You sure?"
"Yeah, I'm sure. ”
The screen flickers to life, and my heart begins to race as the video starts playing. I feel Koda's arms tighten around me in support as we watch the horrifying scene unfold. The fear and anger rise in my chest, and I clench my jaw, unable to tear my eyes away from the screen.
Watching through horror-filled eyes, I notice the video is taking place in a room, in what looks to be some kind of club. Right away, I hold onto Koda for support. I see Shawn right away, and my stomach sinks; bile rises in my throat as I take in the surroundings. They're in the frat house—in the same room Shawn took me in.
"Are you okay?" Koda asks, soothingly rubbing circles on the small of my back to try and relax my tight shoulders.
"For now, yeah,” I admit, holding my breath and preparing for the worst.
A girl walks into the room—or what looks like a girl—but as she enters the frame, Koda snickers, making me think there's more that meets the eye. As the two of them engage in foreplay, I close my eyes, not wanting to see it. But the "girl's" sudden deep voice makes them fling open.
"What the fuck are you doing?" He asks, clearly a man.
"Just shut up and turn the fuck around," Shawn says in the same tone he talked to me with.
I look at the screen and see Shawn trying to force the man to his knees, but the man overpowers Shawn, forcing him on his stomach on the bed. Suddenly, Everest and Baine enter the room, Shawn's eyes widen, and I can see fear entering them—the same fear he instilled in me that night.
"What the fuck is this?" He asks, trying to frighten them with the tone of his voice but it doesn't work.
"You like raping girls, motherfucker? Do you not know what no or stop mean?" Ev says, his hand around Shawn's throat as the man behind him rips his pants down, getting in between his legs.
I feel a rush of anger and repulsion as I watch, unable to tear my eyes away from the screen. Koda's grip tightens on my back, and I take a deep breath.
“What the hell are you talking about?"
"We're about to show your sorry ass," Baine says as the man behind Shawn forces himself into his ass, ripping a bloodcurdling scream from his quivering lips.
Baine and Everest deliver brutal blows to Shawn's body while he gets fucked ruthlessly from the other willing participant, and for some reason, I feel satisfied but angry. I don't condone rape whatsoever, but Shawn deserves everything these men are doing and then some. If he can't take it, he shouldn't be dishing it out. An eye for an eye, as Baine said earlier.
"Are you doing okay?" Koda asks calmly, feeling my body shake in his arms.
I nod but stay silent, trying to grasp what I'm watching. With my focus on the screen, Koda kisses the side of my neck, bringing a chill to my body. I watch the man pull out of a crying Shawn and force his dick in his mouth, suffocating him with his balls against his nose.
"Choke on these nuts, rapist," the man says, and I can't help but smirk, still feeling sick.
I can't believe this is happening, but at the same time, I can't tear my eyes away from the screen .
As Shawn struggles and gasps for air, I find myself both repulsed and yet feeling a sense of justice being served. Koda's arms around me offer some comfort, but I can't shake the feeling of anger and satisfaction all intermingled.
Finally, the video ends, and I’m left feeling overwhelmed and conflicted. Koda holds me close and whispers words of reassurance, but I can't shake the haunting images from my mind. It's a lot to process, and I'm not sure how to deal with all these emotions. I'm left grappling with the aftermath of what I've just witnessed.
Koda
I can tell that the video freaked her out, and I'm not sure if she's okay right now. Shivering in my arms with her eyes blankly focused at the window, watching the falling snow, I kiss her cheeks, trying to bring her back to me.
I whisper reassurances in her ear, telling her that everything is going to be okay. But she doesn't respond; she just continues to stare out the window. The room is quiet except for the sound of her shallow breathing. I hold her tighter, hoping that my warmth will bring her some comfort. I need to find a way to help her through this.
"Ember, are you okay?" I ask again, hoping she'll talk to me this time.
"I'm fine. just in shock, I guess."
"He got what he fucking deserved, doll." Baine's voices makes us turn around, and we see him standing in the doorway beside Everest.
I shake my head, trying to give them a subtle hint to go the fuck away. But it's not in time. Ember digs her nails into my forearm, and her body shakes more.
"He deserved it, yes, but it's still not easy to watch it happen when it's happened to you." Without another word, she unwraps my arms from around her body and gets up, leaving the room glaring at the guys.
"What the fuck was that about?"
"It's hard for her, Ev. Shawn raped her, so I'm surprised she even watched it."
"Yeah, but he can't touch her anymore. He won't touch her anymore. He's got broken hands, wrists, and shattered fingers; he won't be touching anyone for a while."
I get up and grab my pack of cigarettes, hoping the nicotine will relax my rapidly beating heart. I walk over to Ember, who is leaning against the wall, her arms crossed and her eyes distant.
"Ember, I'm here for you. I promise you we will get through this," I say, trying to comfort her.
She looks at me with tears in her eyes and finally nods, accepting my embrace. We stand there for a while, just holding each other, before I lead her back to the couch to sit down. The guys leave the room, giving us some space, and I take Ember's hand in mine.
"I love you, Ember," I say, hoping to remind her that she's not alone.
"I love you too," she whispers, leaning her head on my shoulder.
We stay like that for a while, finding solace in each other's presence, knowing that we're in this together. Eventually, the tension starts to ease, and I see a spark of light in Ember's eyes. "Thank you for being here for me," she says, wiping away her tears.
"Always," I reply, holding her close.
With privacy, Ember and I fall into the moment, only us in the room. She straddles my lap and turns around, her nose pressing against mine.
"Kiss me, Koda." She begs, licking her lips as she bats her dark, innocent lashes, making my cock twitch against her pussy.
Fulfilling her request, I gently capture her lips, passionately dancing my tongue around hers as she slides her hand to the back of my head and cups the back of my neck. My hands run up and down the sides of her body, slipping under her shirt. I cup her tits, using my thumbs to press on her nipples and circle them with pressure. A moan slips from her throat into mine, and I deepen the kiss, feeling her starting to grind against me.
"Let me ride you, Koda."
"Go ahead. You don't need to ask, Ember. Anytime you want me, you just do your thing, baby."
She smiles, pulling my cock out of my boxers. She strokes it a few times, gliding her fingers over my Jacob's ladder, making spasms rock my body.
"Fuck, you damn cocktease."
"How am I a tease if I'm doing something about it?" Grinning, she grabs my hand and pushes it between her thighs as she raises on her knees. "Move my panties, Koda."
"Of course, my little Ember." I bite my bottom lip and push her soaked panties to the side, smacking the wet head of my dick against her soaked pussy lips, making her shake and moan.
"Mmm, fuck."
"You love it, don't you? You love my cock."
She blushes but nods her head, jolting her hips forward to chase the touch of my dick. "I love it, Koda. Now put it inside of me so I can ride it the way you want."
I guide my cock to her opening and pushe until his head pops through, leaning back so she can do the rest. "Ride me, baby."
She slides down my cock, taking every pierced inch with a satisfied moan as she starts riding as promised. I hold her waist, guiding her movements as she sets the pace. Her head falls back in pleasure, her hair splayed out around her. The rhythm of her hips is intoxicating, and I watch her face contort with pleasure as she meets my thrusts.
"Ember, you look so beautiful when you're riding me," I say, my voice strained with desire.
I reach up to cup her breasts, kneading them as she grinds down on me. She moans louder, and I feel her walls clench around my length.
"Koda, oh god, I'm close," she gasps, almost breathless.
I feel her start to tremble as she finds her release. "That's it, Ember. Let go," I whisper, feeling her shudder in ecstasy.
I pull her close and press my lips against her neck, reveling in the sensation of her pulsing around me. As she comes down from her high, I slowly guide her back, savoring the moment with her in my arms.
Ember
Lying in Koda's arms, I've never felt more content. His arms are wrapped around my hip and his fingers toy with the dangling ring in my belly button, a peaceful silence falling around us. The lights flicker off and on as the wind fiercely whips around outside, blowing leaves and snow all over the place as flakes still pummel from the sky.
"You're awfully quiet," he whispers against my neck as he peppers it with kisses.
"I just don't have much to say. I'm processing shit."
"I know, but I hope you're okay."
"I-" my words trail off as my phone rings, my mother's name flashing on the screen.
I huff and regretfully answer the phone, because God forbid I don't answer. "Hey, mom."
"Hi, honey. I'm just wondering how things are going and if we're going to see you at all before you go back to school."
I sigh, knowing that this conversation is going to be long and tedious. "I don't know, mom. I'm really weary about driving in this weather. Maybe we can try to see each other next weekend? I'll make an extra trip down."
I can sense the disappointment in her voice, but I can't help it. I'm pulled in so many different directions, and I hardly have time for myself, let alone anyone else. "Dad and I are hosting a New Year party next weekend, so if you can come to that, we'd love it."
"I can try, yes. Can Koda come?"
She pauses before answering, annoyance in her tone, and I can already guess her answer. "I’m not sure if that's such a good idea, Ember."
"Why, because youre treating him like shit for something he didn't do?"
"Ember, wh-"
"I know that bitch is lying about what she said he did. I saw the proof Koda has."
"The proof? What are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about her admitting she lied about what she said."
"Ember, you don't understand."
"No, you don't understand, mom. I talked to her, and she admitted it! But you and his father have tunnel vision and can't see the truth. I don't know if I'll be there for the New Year. If Koda can't come, then I'm not coming." I toss my phone to the side and turn back to Koda, who is looking at me with concern.
"Everything okay?" He asks.
I nod, burying my face in his chest. "I just wish our parents weren't so fucking naive."
"Thanks for sticking up for me; that means a lot."
"Oh, you're welcome, but I feel like there's more I can do."
He pulls me closer and plants a kiss on my forehead. "You're doing great, you know that? I'm proud of you."
His words make me feel a little better, and I smile up at him. "Thanks, Koda. I don't know what I'd do without you."
We lie there in each other's arms, the storm raging outside but a sense of calm wrapping us in its embrace. And as the wind howls and the snow falls, we hold onto each other, finding solace in the warmth of our love.