Chapter 5
five
Rowyn Hale
Questions
Misti is at volleyball practice tonight so I’m all alone in our dorm for at least a few hours.
I had no idea she played a sport until I saw her getting ready.
I miss playing field hockey. It feels like forever since I’ve held a stick in my hand.
My advisor told me I should try out when the coach posts about it next semester.
I shrugged her off because that was something that brought me happiness in high school.
Except good things never last, so I would rather not go down that path again if I can help it.
I clear my throat and wince. Jesus, Kade did a number on me.
I was so stupid to think he would actually leave me alone if I gave him head.
So fucking stupid. Boys like him don’t make good on their deals; they take everything they can get and spit you out like you're nothing. But I am nothing. Bringing my hand up to my neck, I rub my sore throat, wishing I had something to soothe it. Nothing seems to work. Not hot tea or ice cold water. I don’t get it, but it’s pissing me off.
Suddenly, a knock at my door has me jumping out of my skin.
Rolling off the bed, I pull my shirt down and push my hair out of my face as I walk to answer it. Swinging the door open, my eyes widen when I see Elliot standing there with a brown bag and a styrofoam cup.
“I come bearing gifts. May I come in?” he asks, and I nod, stepping out of his way. He walks past me, and I blink. Is he really here? What the fuck?
Shutting the door behind me, I fidget, wrapping my arms around my waist. My shirt rides up, and I immediately pull it down, but his eyes snap to my thighs and now I feel even more vulnerable than I did seconds ago.
“Um, what are you doing here?” I ask as he takes the contents out of the bag and places them on my bed.
“Come on, get in this bed and let me take care of you,” he states, patting my comforter.
“What?” I say, because what the fuck? And he huffs, walking over to me. He grabs my hand and pulls me toward the bed then places his hands on my hips. Once again, my shirt rides up as he gently pushes me down.
“Your voice was raspy today in class, and I noticed you kept rubbing your throat. So, I thought I’d be a nice guy and bring you some stuff to make you feel better,” he says, and my eyes widen. I clear my throat and wince, because fuck, it really does hurt so fucking bad.
“Well, thank you. You didn’t have to go through all this trouble just for me,” I say, and he shakes his head.
“No trouble at all. I just know when I don’t feel good I just want to be home, and with us being here, I imagine it is far away from home for you.
So here. Take these,” he says, handing me a few pills from the bottle he opened along with the drink in the cup.
I take the pills and place them on my tongue and suck from the straw.
Sweet tea. I groan, and he clears his throat.
He takes the cup, and I slide under the covers, watching every move he makes.
Next, he hands me a container of chinese wonton soup and a spoon, then pulls out a container of his own.
I scoot over and he sits down next to me.
I’m so fucking confused as to why he is being so damn nice to me but I dip my spoon into the broth and bring it to my mouth, swallowing the warmth down my throat.
God, that feels so good. “Is it good?” he asks, and I nod.
“It is. Thank you again. You really didn't have to do this,” I say, and he shrugs.
“Eat up,” and I do just that. Once I’m finished, I go to get up but he places his hand on my arm, takes my empty container, and puts it in the bag. “So, how are you liking Lockridge so far?” he asks, and I laugh.
“Aside from your friends making my life hell, it’s okay,” I answer truthfully, and he nods.
“Eh, it’s not so bad. It could be worse,” he answers. Maybe he’s right. Things can totally be a lot worse. “Has anyone caught your eye yet?” he asks, and I immediately shake my head. I’ll never admit that I’m intrigued by him and his friends so I lie.
“No. I don’t have time for boys. I’m here to get my degree and live my life to the fullest,” I tell him, and he quirks a brow.
“Not one single boy has caught your eye? No one? It’s college. Don’t you want to experiment?” he asks, and I laugh.
“It’s not about what I want,” I answer truthfully, and he tilts his head.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, boys don’t usually like me. I–” But he interrupts.
“They’d be stupid not to like you, Petal. Why are you so hard on yourself?” he asks, and I shrug.
“Look at me, wh—”
“I am looking at you,” he says as a single finger traces my jawline, and I shut my eyes when his thumb catches my bottom lip.
“I don’t see anything wrong with how you look,” he says as his warm breath fans over my face.
I’m terrified to open my eyes, but when his lips press against mine softly, a moan seeps from them.
He pulls away, and I open my eyes and stare into his blue ones.
“Why did you do that?” I ask, but he doesn’t answer.
He just leans in and kisses me again, only this time it’s feverish, as if this is the first and last time he will do this.
I can’t help but shiver when his tongue grazes mine.
He kisses me with so much passion that I become dizzy, and it’s not until he pulls away that I notice I’m breathless and my lips tingle with want—need.
“I did that because I can.” He smirks, then gets up from the bed and walks over to the bag and places his empty container inside.
He lifts a package and throws it at me. “I got you those too. They should help as well,” he says as I pick up the throat lozenges and open it.
Popping one in my mouth, I moan again because cherry is my favorite flavor.
“Thank you, Elliot. I really appreciate it,” I say, and he shrugs.
“No sweat. Hopefully I don’t get sick now. Then you will have to take care of me.” He chuckles, and I shake my head.
“Oh, I’m not sick, I have a sore throat because—” But I stop mid-sentence. I can’t tell him his best friend is the reason for my pain. But he tilts his head, and I know I fucked up. Shit.
“Huh?” he asks, but I shake my head.
“Nothing, nothing. I’m a snorer,” I lie, but he crawls up the bed and cups my face.
“You can trust me, Rowyn. I won’t tell anyone your secrets, and I'm the last person to judge you,” he assures me, but I still shake my head.
“I can’t. I’m sorry,” I say, but he growls.
“Who?” he grits.
“What do you mean who?” I ask, and he takes a deep breath.
“Either tell me or I’ll force it out of you,” he growls, and I gasp at his sudden change in tone.
“I-I...” I trail off because I’m not sure what to do or what to say. I’ve got myself cornered with no way to escape.
“It’s okay. I promise you can trust me,” he says again, and I close my eyes.
“It was Kade,” I whisper as his thumb drags down the center of my throat, making me swallow against him.
“Kade is the reason for your pain?” he reiterates, and I nod. “Words, Rowyn, I need your words,” he grits, and I take a deep breath, opening my eyes. His jaw is tight as his thumb continues to rub up and down my throat.
“Yes, Kade is the reason for my pain,” I answer truthfully, and he nods.
“Thank you for telling me. Keep up with the meds and the suckers. You will be okay,” he tells me, and I’m a little taken back by his reaction.
But who am I kidding, it’s not like Elliot has feelings for me.
It’s not like what happened tonight will go any further than it did.
Boys like Elliot don’t find fat girls like me attractive. He’s just being nice—a friend.
His hand leaves my skin, and I’m instantly cold as he climbs off the bed. He turns to me and smiles. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Have a good night, Petal,”
“Okay. See you tomorrow, Elliot,” I reply, and as fast as he entered my room is as fast as he leaves it.
I crawl down into my bed and cover my head with the blanket.
What the hell was that? Ugh, these boys are either ruining my life or drenching my panties.
I just need them to stop kissing me. Thank god Grayson stays away from me for the most part, because I’m not sure what I would do if all three of them kiss me. I can’t handle this shit.
Rolling over, I continue to hide under my blanket, seeing no point in waiting for Misti to get back.
It’s not like I can tell her what’s been going on.
She warned me to stay away from them. Have I listened?
Yes, but they keep coming for me. Ugh. This is so confusing.
I huff and reach for my nightstand lamp, shutting the light off, then close my eyes and let sleep take over me, except my dreams are filled with the three boys who I can’t stop thinking about.