Chapter Thirty-Two
Amelie
Monty has been holed up in his office all day, and Laura has been sulking. Engaged one week and it’s already off to a flying start. Not that it would have lasted that long anyway.
I hope they have a prenup; any guy in their right mind would have one if they wanted to marry her. How long until divorcing him got her something? That’s how long she would stay.
After our grand day out yesterday and then their bust-up, I ended up having the house to myself for the evening.
I hung out in the perfect lounge and watched movies on the cinema screen.
Eventually I went to bed. I was tempted to sleep in Slate’s bed, but I thought I better not.
It wouldn’t do well to be caught in there, so I had to suck it up and finally use ‘my’ room.
The day goes by astonishingly fast, with only a little interruption from Laura asking me to bake with her.
I’m nervous and excited to put my plan into action.
I texted Baxter earlier and he said he could get me out of here anytime.
He would have a plane on standby for me, which gives me just enough time to execute my plan.
I’m aiming for Friday but it’s good to know I can be out of here sooner, if the shit hits the fan.
The guys want to fuck with me? Well, payback's a bitch. And so am I.
I’m unsure if they will all show up tonight for dinner, although if Monty has anything to say about it, they will. I have an idea. Not a smart one, but one that will drive home a point.
I jump up off my bed and go to find Laura. She is in the kitchen sipping on her soy caramel latte. The plain coffee she used to drink way back when, is clearly no longer good enough for the future Mrs Knox.
“Hi,” she says, taking in my outfit. A pair of Aadi’s old sweats tied at the side with a scrunchie and an oversized Nike T-shirt. I can tell she’s annoyed by my appearance, but for some reason she doesn’t say anything.
“I had fun yesterday,” I say, trying to manipulate her from the start.
“Me too. I’m glad we could bond.”
“I have a boyfriend,” I blurt out, intentionally letting her think I am nervous about telling her.
“That Baxter boy?” I nod. “Monty doesn’t like him,” she whines.
“He doesn’t know him the way I do. He’s special to me. One of the only people here that cares.”
“Well, since Monty is in my bad books, I think you should invite the boy to dinner. We can be a united front and try to convince him that you like the boy.”
“Really?” I stammer, making my eyes wide with wonder, and she nods.
Yes, stage one complete!
Now to get Baxter here.
“Thank you so much. I’m going to call him and invite him over...that is, if you don’t mind me using my phone whilst I’m here? I know I usually use it after dinner...”
“Go for it.” She smiles, my ‘gratitude’ has her beaming. She loves to be the cool mum. Loved to be loved.
Baxter, being a third year, has phone privileges. I don’t know how he swung it, since I really don’t picture him being the model student earning the right to a phone.
I race to my room and text Baxter.
Amelie
Dinner at the Knox residence tonight 7pm
Baxter
What is that pretty brain cooking up?
Amelie
Just wasting time. Set the mood for dinner.
Amelie
Oh, and I told Laura you are my boyfriend. So play the part.
Baxter
Which one are you making jealous?
Amelie
I don’t want to make them jealous. I want to piss them off.
Baxter
Since I’m your new boyfriend, do I get some benefits?
Amelie
Yes, pissing off your bestie. That is your fav pastime, no?
Baxter
See you at dinner. Wear something sexy ;)
I delete our conversation and stash my phone in the bottom of my bag. This should be fun.
I find a nice dress, one I wouldn’t choose to wear. It’s sexy enough to work, but it’s also one I know Laura will approve of. My last parting gift to her. Adding another wedge between her and Monty. Let the games begin.
I opt for heels instead of chucks or boots.
Very uncomfortable heels that scream blisters and pair it with a pale pink-champagne coloured dress that shows off way too much cleavage and hugs all my curves in just the right way.
I'll give Laura that, she knows how to be seductive through outfit choices.
I look in the mirror to admire the dress with thin shoulder straps.
Sequins cover my breasts and it ties around the waist with satin ribbons like you would expect to find on ballet slippers.
The floaty satin skirt falls to a decent length below my knee, but a thigh high split shows when I walk or sit down.
I’ll hand it to Laura, this dress makes me feel good.
I straighten my hair and slightly curl the ends into waves. A light touch of make up and the look is complete.
I have to steady myself to walk down the stairs, heels are still my nemesis. As I hit the last step, I feel like a newborn foal finding its feet. I made sure to take extra time getting ready, I wanted to avoid everyone and the loud rumble of a motor bike engine has me hurrying to the front door.
“Expecting someone?” Kalen says from behind me, causing me to jump.
“Yes…” I’m cut short when I turn to face him. He has had a haircut. His long locks are gone, replaced with something so unlike him. It’s shaved. Completely gone. And then there’s the bruises...what is going on?
The doorbell pulls me from our stare off. I turn and open the door to greet Baxter. He is dressed nicely in a pair of slacks and button up shirt. Damn he cleans up well. He leans in and places a soft kiss on my lips.
I open my eyes in shock. “Playing a part, remember?” he whispers. I nod, still in shock. Baxter takes my hand and we face off against Kalen.
“Nice haircut,” Baxter smirks with a laugh and Kalen goes stiff. His fists ball at his side.
“You’re here,” Laura says excitedly as she enters the room. “Come, we are ready to start. Amelie, you look beautiful!” she suddenly adds when she notices me.
Kalen storms off into the dining room.
“Thank you for inviting me,” Baxter says to Laura, moving in to give her a small hug and kisses her cheek.
Any woman alive would be affected by him.
He has an allure that sucks you in. Unbeknownst to her, he is like a female praying mantis and eats his conquests.
Laura laps his attention up, greedy eyes drinking in every inch of him.
No matter how nicely he’s dressed, or sickeningly polite he’s being, he still reeks of sin.
And Laura still loves a bad boy, no matter how content she pretends to be with Monty.
She closes her eyes as Baxter pulls away, composing herself for a moment.
It’s pathetic. Baxter catches my eye and smirks.
He knows the effect he’s having on her, she’s free entertainment to him.
I wonder if he’s appalled? I could see him seducing her just to fuck this family off a little more.
“Guys, dinner’s getting cold,” Monty’s voice calls from the dining room. Laura’s eyes snap open and she jumps guiltily, hearing her fiancés voice. She turns and hurries away, leaving Baxter and I alone for a moment. I debate what to say.
“I really fucking hate her you know,” I say quietly.
“I guessed. I read your file. I know.”
“I really want revenge on her, but it’s more important that I leave.”
“Leave it to me,” he promises, holding out his hand to me. I take it and together we make our grand entrance.
The effect is instantaneous and explosive.
“Oh hell no!”
“What the fuck?”
“Get the fuck out!”
“Amelie,” Monty says with forced calmness. “What is he doing here?”
“I invited him,” Laura pipes up before I can reply. “I said if Amelie has a boyfriend, then we would have him over for tea.”
Kalen is the first to recover, snorting at the irony of Laura’s words.
“Boyfriend?” he scoffs.
The current and the exes. This ought to be fun.
“I wish you’d warned me that’s all darling.
I would have taken us all out for dinner instead,” he lies smoothly.
Although there’s probably some truth in the matter; Monty does not want Baxter in his house any more than the boys want him here.
I don’t know how Laura is so oblivious to the tension in the room.
It’s suffocating. Baxter has a polite smile on his face but I can see his black eyes dancing with mirth. I wonder how far we can push this?
I take my seat at the table, opposite Laura and next to Kalen, and pull Baxter into the seat beside mine.
He’s opposite Monty which should be good.
As I sit down, my dress parts, baring my thigh.
Kalen’s heated eyes watch my every move.
But when Baxter’s hand caresses my bare skin, he grinds his teeth together.
“So how did you two meet?” Laura gushes as we start to load up our plates. How fucking stupid is she? Has she forgotten that we all go to a school for delinquents? Is she expecting some fairytale romance?
“Was it the first time when you rode on my bike, babe, and I delivered you to the house of another guy you were meeting to fuck?”
“I think that was the second time,” I laugh.
“Who was that guy again?”
“No-one compared to you.” I bat my eyelashes at him. “Besides, how can you forget the first time? I gave you a blowie on my knees outside the headmaster’s office.” I pretend to pout.
“Babe, you’ve sucked me off so many places, I can’t really be expected to remember them all.” He grabs me by the back of the neck and pulls me in for a messy kiss.
There’s a moment of stunned silence whilst the room digests what just happened.
“Ahem,” Monty clears his throat loudly, before Baxter continues his reign of terror.
“What happened to everyone’s faces?” Baxter asks, his face a pantomime of innocence.
“MMA,” Sawyer’s gruff response comes from the head of the table. It’s the first words he’s said since we arrived, but he speaks without making eye contact though.