Chapter Five
LEXI
I hate him. I hate him. I fucking hate him.
The bus arrived back in Colorado Springs, ten minutes away from campus. Hazel had told me she would pick me up so I didn’t have to walk.
As the bus came to a stop, I gathered my things, thinking of everything that had happened. I had so much to tell her; I didn’t know where to begin.
One thing I did know was Kayden sure knew how to piss me off.
He’d done it since we were kids, and even after thinking about that memory, I wondered if this was him cashing out on that stupid favor he always reminded me about throughout the years.
He’d never told me what it was, and I’d avoided him as much as possible in the last year so he wouldn’t get close to me.
I wonder if this was the favor.
Hazel gave me a big hug as I got off, and I was so thankful for it. She was one of those best friends who was more like a sister. Someone you could count on for anything. She truly cared about me, and vice versa.
She leaned back, concern crossing her striking features. “You okay?”
I shook my head; a lone tear fell from my eye. I guess the events of the last twenty-four hours got to me more than I’d hoped.
“Come on, let’s go get some food.”
That was the last thing I wanted, but it was probably best not to leave me alone with my thoughts. The scars on my wrist itched at the thought.
I’d managed to hide it from everyone, and the last thing I needed was my moment of weakness to be on display for everyone, even my best friend.
There was judgment that came with those scars.
Questions. Is she crazy? Does she need to go to a mental hospital?
Does she need help? Why is she doing this? Is she looking for attention?
These were all questions I didn’t have the patience to answer. I shouldn’t be here. They should be.
“Want to tell me what happened?” She asked as we reached her brand new golden Toyota Camry. Her family was rich, and sometimes that changed a person, making them care more about items than people, but she was one of the most humble and down to earth people I’d ever met.
The car unlocked, we got in, buckled our seatbelts and she turned it on. I swallowed, my throat parched, in need of water or something stronger.
“I don’t even know where to begin...” My hands folded in my lap, as the anxiety crept in, thinking about what Kayden had in store. Maybe I should move far away and forget this place ever existed.
As much as I wanted to, though, I knew I couldn’t. This place held too many memories, too much pain, but also so much happiness. I was doomed to live here forever, no escaping, because I couldn’t let go.
“Let’s start with how you ended up at Kayden’s house. By the way, how did you not know?” I was taken aback for a moment at her question. It felt like she was accusing me of something, but I wasn’t sure of what. It’s like I had to defend myself, almost as if I should’ve known he’d be there.
“Kayden didn’t use to live there. When we were growing up, they lived right down the street from us. Then his parents got divorced, and they moved. While my brother was there all the time, I wasn’t welcome. He didn’t want me at his house.”
Hazel made a left-hand turn, taking us to Rita’s, a taco shop we loved to go to. “What is his deal with you? I can’t tell if he hates you or wants to jump your bones. He gives you those hot/cold looks all the time.”
I didn’t respond as she pulled into a spot. There were a lot of people here, which wasn’t surprising given it was a Saturday night.
She turned off the car, and the air was in the sixties now, a cool breeze attached, enough to make goosebumps rise on my body.
As we found a table, the waiter came by. He was young, about our age, I assumed he went to the same school as us. A bright smile lit up his features as he asked for our drink order.
“Can you load us up on two Cokes and a large Queso?”
I gave her a look as she spoke for me, but quickly let it go when the door opened. My breath caught. Fuck.
Blood drained from my face, and once she noticed, concern etched into her eyes. “What’s wrong?”
“He has to be following me.” I whispered, hoping and praying he wouldn’t notice us. We were in a booth off to the side, and he and his friends, plus a few girls—likely puck bunnies—were standing by the door, waiting on a table.
I slid in my seat, and moved over a bit, hoping he wouldn’t notice me.
“Damn, that man gets finer every day.” I rolled my eyes at her comment. Being fine didn’t excuse him for being an ass. Although it didn’t stop me from admiring him from afar.
The waiter came back with our drinks and appetizer, and suddenly the hunger outweighed the annoyance of him being here. Especially when the hostess took them to the other side of the restaurant.
Thank fuck.
I sighed and relaxed watching as they walked off, taking a drink of my soda because nothing cured this day like an ice-cold Coke.
Hazel watched me, a smirk playing on her lips. “You’ve got it bad.”
I brought my attention back to her and narrowed my eyes, “What the hell are you talking about?”
She leaned back in the booth, crossing her arms over her chest. “I can’t believe I didn’t realize it before. You’ve got a crush on him!”
I shook my head, “You’re delusional. I can be cordial with him, but that’s as far as it goes. He’s a real asshole to me, Hazel. Trust me when I say, the feelings are mutual, with hatred running through our veins. My brother was the only one who linked us together, and now that he’s gone...”
I trailed off, and she became silent, changing the subject.
She started talking about a boy in her class whom she thought was hot.
My attention went in and out, half listening to her and half thinking about what I was going to do to get our parents to break off their upcoming marriage.
Why did I agree to team up with that ass? I couldn’t be tied to Kayden anymore.
I needed to break away from him and create a life for myself on my own. Without his and my brother’s shadows hovering over me. I couldn’t breathe like this, and I would never be able to if I didn’t break free.
“Well, fancy seeing you here.” A shiver ran through me as a throat cleared, and my eyes closed because I knew that voice.
“What do you want, Kayden?” Hazel asked, voice clipped.
“I was going to the bathroom and was surprised when I saw two of my favorite people hanging around.” Ugh, yeah right—favorite people.
“Go away.” I said through gritted teeth. My weekend was already ruined; I didn’t need him to ruin it even more.
To my surprise, he slid into the seat next to me, pushing my body into the wall. I glared, wishing it would affect him. The knowing smirk didn’t disappear from his lips. He grabbed a chip, dipped it into the Queso, and shoved it in his mouth.
Now he was eating our food? This man really has lost his mind!
He began to chew, my fingers resisted the urge to slap him. “Hazel, do you want to know something funny?”
My hands clenched in my lap.
Her gaze met mine and then switched back to his. “What?”
The restaurant was getting busier, which meant it was getting louder. Kayden had to speak up, and I really wish he fucking hadn’t.
“Lex is going to be my stepsister.”
A pin dropped. The tables around us stared, because why wouldn’t they when the campus golden boy announced noteworthy news.
I slid further in my seat. Fucking Kayden. He couldn’t resist, had to let all of our peers into business they were no part of. Why couldn’t I escape this life?
Hazel’s eyes went wide. No, I hadn’t told her yet, and I wasn’t planning to. Kayden and I weren’t going to be step-siblings because I wouldn’t let it happen. Mom was making a huge mistake, and I would figure out a way to make her see that.
“Please tell me you’re joking.” She said, her eyes still wide, looking between us.
I leaned against my seat and crossed my arms. “I wish I was...” my teeth ground together as my fingers itched to wrap around something to beat him on the head with it.
Kayden’s smile turned wicked, “Yep. Isn’t that exciting? Step-siblings. As if I wanted to be tied to her for the rest of my life.”
I sat up and scowled, hitting him on the arm. His smile dipped to a frown. “We didn’t ask for you to join us. I didn’t ask to be your stepsister. So why don’t you go find yourself a puck bunny you can fuck and leave us the hell alone!”
His gaze narrowed. “Gladly.” He stood up and was about to leave, but leaned over so he was inches from my face. “Remember something: you owe me, and I will cash in soon. Our deal still stands.”
With that, he left and walked back to his table, where surely all those puck bunnies were waiting for him. Why did that thought bother me so much?
I released a heavy sigh and looked back at Hazel, who had eyes full of questions. I glanced around and everyone’s eyes were on our table. Fuck.
“Any chance you want to get out of here?”
She looked around and nodded, pulling a twenty out of her wallet and placing it on the table. “Let’s get the hell out of here before this place explodes with questions.”
We got out of the booth quickly and hightailed it out of the restaurant and to her car.
I desperately wanted the night to be over, but knew it was far from it. Considering how Hazel was ready to bite my head off for not telling her that teeny, tiny little detail.
I was screwed.