Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
I was able to avoid Brandon until Saturday.
Yesterday, I’d hidden in the library at lunch, reading the romance book I had checked out, and after school he’d had a game.
He’d tried texting me after, asking if I wanted to come over or if he could come to my place.
I’d ignored my phone and read until three in the morning instead.
The story had been very addictive. The romance had gotten my heart pumping quite a few times and I’d needed to set my book down for a second to calm down.
In those short breaks, my thoughts had always drifted to Roe and his friends.
I had wanted to text him. We had only exchanged a few texts since he had given me his number.
Unsure what to text, I had given up and gone back to reading my book.
Now it was Saturday. This morning, I’d sent a text to Brandon apologizing for missing his messages.
I’d lied, saying I had fallen asleep and I hadn’t seen them until really late.
He’d seemed to buy it and quickly asked me to go with him to a party tonight.
I had said yes, despite not wanting to. I had to spend time with him.
I couldn’t put it off any longer without severe consequences.
I dreaded going all day, even as I reluctantly got ready.
I didn’t want to dress sexy and give Brandon any ideas, but I did need to wear something somewhat party-appropriate.
I chose a form-fitting, blush-pink, knit turtleneck sweater-dress that was mid-thigh length.
Even though it covered my bruises, I masked them further with the good concealer that had finally arrived a few nights ago.
I didn’t want to risk Brandon seeing them and setting him off again.
To go with my dress, I wore black suede stiletto boots that hugged my legs up to just over my knees.
I left my hair down and put beach wave curls in it.
My makeup was on the darker side, especially around my greenish hazel eyes, and my lipstick was a dark pink.
Lastly, I put on the bloodstone pendant Ms. Clark had given me and hid it inside my dress.
It was silly to even humor the idea, but if the rock did work, I figured I could use a little bit of protection tonight.
I squeezed what I needed into a wristlet instead of a purse and made my way downstairs to wait for Brandon to pick me up.
When he did, he tried to kiss me. Without thought, I turned my head away, then immediately apologized and explained that I hadn’t wanted to ruin my lipstick. But the damage had been done. He was mad.
He didn’t talk to me for the entire drive. This defiant and rebellious side of me that seemed to be getting stronger every day enjoyed his silence. My rational side was freaking out. Right now, there was a battle for dominance inside me, and it was messing with my ability to figure out how to act.
The party was packed, loud, and Brandon held my hand tightly as he pulled me along through the large house.
Some people greeted us as we walked past. At first, Brandon just nodded at them.
Then he seemed to remember he had to be the golden boy and out came the bullshit smiles and friendly greetings back.
Brandon took me straight to where the drinks were in the kitchen.
He grabbed two pre-poured Solo cups of beer from a guy I didn’t recognize manning a keg by the kitchen island.
He thrust one at me, nearly spilling it.
I took it and he recaptured my other hand.
As we walked, he gulped down at least half his beer.
He took us outside, onto the large wooden deck that overlooked a huge backyard full of grass and lined with tall trees and bushes.
I saw we were headed toward a group of Brandon’s teammates, who were hanging together near the railing that wrapped around the entire deck and the stairs that led down to the yard.
The moment Brandon’s teammates noticed us approaching, we received loud and excited greetings. Things eventually calmed down and they began talking about last night’s game. Brandon’s arm went around my waist. I was happy we were outside because his strong cologne assaulted my nose.
Brandon finished his beer within minutes. As a peace offering, I held out mine to him. “Would you like mine?”
He stared down at it and saw that it was untouched. “Why aren’t you drinking?” His tone was even more confirmation that he was annoyed with me.
“I’m not a big fan of beer. You drink it and I can go get something else,” I said.
“Who wants to do shots?” a girl I didn’t know asked as she came by with a tray full of plastic neon shot glasses, each filled to the brim. I wasn’t sure she went to our school.
Brandon grabbed two shots and held one out to me. “Drink this.” It was an order. “Maybe it will help loosen you up.” The way he said that made me feel like his words had another meaning behind them.
I took the shot glass and he took the beer from me. Just from the smell alone, I knew it was tequila. He watched as I threw it back and winced slightly at the burn along my tongue and throat. Then he held out the other shot to me. “This one, too.” Again, it was an order.
I took it and swallowed that one down as well.
“Good.” He tilted his head toward the house. “Get me a glass of whiskey while you’re in there.”
As I went back inside, I considered spitting in his drink. Shocked that the thought had even run through my head, I paused just as I entered the kitchen.
What has gotten into me?
I shook my head and began looking over the many bottles on the kitchen island.
They had several bottles of whiskey, all top-shelf brands.
I picked one randomly and grabbed two Solo cups.
I wasn’t about to go digging through this kitchen for a tumbler for him.
I poured two fingers’ worth in one Solo cup and filled the other one with water from the sink before heading back.
Just as I stepped out of the kitchen, two bodies blocked my way.
“Lottie.” It was Roe’s voice.
I looked up and saw that he was standing in front of me with Wyatt.
“Hey, Lottie the hottie,” Wyatt said as he checked me out without shame.
Roe looked good in his uniform, but even better in regular clothes.
He was in a tight black T-shirt, gray jeans, and rugged, laced-up, black leather boots.
Wyatt was in nearly all black and it made his beautiful eyes pop.
He had on a black leather jacket, similar to the one Reid had worn the other day, over a black T-shirt and blue jeans that were so dark they almost looked black.
Seeing them, I could feel the corners of my mouth lifting, but the noise of the party reminded me of where we were and who I was here with.
I quickly schooled my face. “Hey,” I said and glanced toward the back door that led out onto the large deck.
I could see Brandon’s back from here. He was distracted with his teammates.
My gaze flicked back to Roe and Wyatt, who were staring in the direction I had been looking. I noticed Roe’s jaw clench as they returned their attention to me.
“You’re here with him?” Roe asked.
I nodded.
“The boyfriend? Which one is he?” Wyatt asked, glancing back in Brandon’s direction.
I managed to hold my two Solo cups in one hand so I could reach for him. “Please don’t look that way,” I pleaded as I grabbed onto his jacket.
Wyatt looked back at me with a frown. “Why?”
“He won’t understand—” I started to say as I glanced in Brandon’s direction. Words left me when my eyes locked with Brandon’s. He looked from Roe and Wyatt to me, and it was clear as day that he was not okay with it. He started heading our way.
I quickly dropped my hand from Wyatt’s jacket and looked at Roe. “He saw us. He’s coming over here.” There was so much fear and panic in my voice I’d forgotten to hide. I met his storm-blue eyes, not knowing what to do. “Roe.” My voice was pleading.
He quickly reached into his pocket and pulled out a baggie of joints. “Hold out your hand,” he said as he opened the bag. I did as he said and glanced in Brandon’s direction. He was weaving and pushing around people, trying to make his way over here.
Roe put a joint in my hand. “There’s your excuse.” His voice told me he wasn’t happy. He leaned his head toward Wyatt. “Let’s get this over with.”
Wyatt looked from Roe to me as he nodded, his eyes full of questions. Then both of them walked off seconds before Brandon approached.
“What were you doing talking to them?” he snapped, his voice demanding.
I tried not to flinch and held up a joint. “I figured it’d help loosen me up.”
He snatched the joint from my fingers. “You don’t need to be smoking that shit.” He turned to look in Roe and Wyatt’s direction. They were making their way around the party. They had stopped to talk to a couple of jocks and there was a quick exchange of cash for joints.
Brandon turned back toward me and leaned close. “I don’t want you talking to trash from the wrong side of the bridge.”
Biting my tongue, I nodded.
“Good. My drink?” he asked, and I handed it to him. He took a sip, seemed pleased, and grabbed my hand to pull me back outside.
I stood with him silently, like an obedient girlfriend, for a while.
People joined and left the group Brandon was happy to be glued to.
The girl with the shots came by again. That time, Brandon took a shot.
His good friend and fellow teammate Oliver joined the group and brought Brandon another drink.
I saw Alicia and Evie were here. I wasn’t shocked that they didn’t stop by to say hello.
Instead, Alicia just glared at me, flipped her hair, and stalked back into the house, with Evie trailing behind.