Chapter 6 #2
It started peacefully, people passed me the ball back and forth, a few even whistling when I scored for the team. Until one of the other girls decided it was a problem that I was winning and decided to trip me.
I landed on my ass, glaring up at her and contemplating beating the hell out of her, but I couldn’t go back in the hole and ruin visitation again. She gave me a knowing grin, and I was a little bit surprised when one of the other girls shoved her for me.
“Are you good?” Tilly asked as she held a hand out to pull me to my feet, and I took it, eyeing the two girls that were now nose-to-nose in an argument.
“I’m fine.” I didn’t particularly want to get between the drama, but the girl on my team had stepped in to defend me. I didn’t want her getting in trouble. “Hey, she’s not worth it.”
The bitch that pushed me turned her narrowed eye to me. “The fuck did you say?”
“I said, you’re not worth it. If you can’t handle losing, maybe try winning instead,” I suggested, moving closer and tapping my defender’s arm. “C’mon, fuck her. The guards are watching anyway.”
They were all keeping an eye on us, and the girl finally huffed and took two steps back. “You’re right.”
I somehow de-escalated the situation, the team I was on abandoning the game to avoid more conflict, and Tilly gave me a thumbs up when they all invited me to sit with them across the yard.
“So, Donovan. What’s with you and the gang members? Were you really screwing the enemy of your boyfriend?” one asked, getting elbowed by one of the others to shut up.
I scrunched my nose, and Tilly winced. “Girl, tell her to fuck off.”
“I just want to know the truth,” the girl huffed, but I rolled my eyes.
“No, I wasn’t cheating on him with his enemy. You won’t believe me, which is fine, but that’s the truth. Hunter’s just a friend.”
“So, he’s single?” another grinned, waggling her eyebrows and making snickers go around the group. The thought of any of them touching him made me want to throw hands.
“Yep. Don’t think he’s into dating,” I answered instead.
“I miss cock,” my defender grumbled, a round of laughter and agreement going around. They started telling stories about all the sex they used to have, and I chuckled along but kept mine to myself. The less they knew about me, the better.
I glanced across the yard to see Lexi, Kat, and Jamie with a few other girls, Lexi’s eyes on me. I couldn’t tell what she was thinking, but hopefully, she was just glad to see no one beating each other up for once.
Lunch was finally called, and everyone made a beeline for the cafeteria. A few of the girls invited me and Tilly to sit with them, and it felt strange to be sitting in a social group while we ate.
It was peaceful, no drama starting for once, and I relaxed a little as conversation flowed.
“You’re getting visitation tomorrow, right?” Tilly asked me, and I picked at my food with a nod.
“Yep.”
“Who is it?”
Everyone seemed to be interested in that, and I narrowed my eyes. “Why?
“I was just wondering,” Tilly grimaced, but one of the other girls grinned.
“Is it one of those hunky boyfriends of yours? I’m surprised you’re not having withdrawals. I bet you got laid every day.”
“What are you talking about?” I asked flatly, only making her grin wider.
“C’mon, we all watch the news. It was a big scandal about you being with that celebrity’s son. The Johnson guy. Did he know about the other guys? He must have known about Skeeter, right?”
“I didn’t cheat on anyone, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“Are you fake dating the rich dude?” one of the others asked, and I considered stabbing her with my fork.
“No,” I said calmly instead, giving Tilly the stink eye for starting all of this. She managed to look apologetic about it, which was what saved her from being stabbed too.
“Wouldn’t you prefer to tell everyone your truth instead of what the articles and reporters say?” one of the others asked, and I scowled.
“I don’t give a fuck what people think. They can believe what they want, it’s none of their business.”
“Just throw us a bone, Donovan,” she groaned, and I rolled my eyes.
“They knew about each other, yes. There’s your bone.”
Giggles went around the table, and I returned to eating, letting them gossip among themselves about it.
“Donovan,” Miss Jarvis said as she appeared beside the table. “You’re in the library this afternoon.”
At least some school work would make time pass faster.
“Thanks,” I replied, and Tilly frowned.
“What for?”
“My education is calling,” I grumbled, finishing my food and standing. “I’ll see you later for dinner.”
I returned my tray and headed towards the library, finding the warden waiting with a pile of paperwork in front of her.
“You start work in the laundry room tomorrow, but I’ll make sure you get study time.
You can come and go as you please in your free time, a guard is always on duty, but you’ll need to ask them to unlock the private rooms for you and get your work.
If you wish to take things back to your cell, I’ll allow it, but if you want quiet time alone, you may use the rooms here.
Give any work completed to one of the guards and they’ll give it to me,” she instructed, and I took the paperwork and pen.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Are you looking forward to your visitation tomorrow?” she asked, and I gave her a small smile.
“I really am. I keep reaching for my damn phone to call people and then remember I don’t have it.”
“It can be a hard transition. It’s good to see you getting along with the other women today. It can make a world of difference once you have some solid friends.”
“I’ve noticed. Can I sit in a room now and do some of these?” I asked, waiting for her to unlock one of the rooms for me so I could sit in silence and work.
There were cameras in here, so I was able to shut the door and really block the noise out.
I struggled through my Calculus work, the new semester classes messing me up since I hadn’t had time to catch up yet now that subjects had switched, before I was told to hand it in and head to dinner.
How had the afternoon vanished already? I’d lost hours doing school work somehow.
I gave the guard the work I’d completed, taking the rest to my cell so I could finish it later.
Tilly was waiting for me when I emerged from my room, and she instantly cringed.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t think—”
“I was hoping to keep my connections to Ty and his friends on the down-low. I didn’t realize my relationships were such public knowledge in here,” I muttered.
“Girl, it’s huge in here. The moment you were arrested, people went nuts with gossip since we knew you’d be coming here. How many are you dating? Can I ask that?”
I blew out a breath, raking a hand through my hair as I eyed her.
“Five. It was six, but he died.”
“The guy from the Psychos? I saw reports of him leaving all of his belongings to you. I’m sorry, I can’t imagine not being able to grieve in private,” she said carefully, not wanting to piss me off.
“Every time it dies down, something happens and drags me back into the spotlight. It’s mostly because of Ty.
The second his parents announced where he was living, reporters flocked to him.
Now, they’re just after all my secrets instead,” I huffed, motioning for her to follow me to the cafeteria. “What about you? You dating?”
“No. It’s just me and my hand,” she smirked, making me laugh.
“How do you find privacy?”
“At night. The girls weren’t wrong. I don’t know how you’re not going through withdrawals if you were having good sex all the time.”
“I’ve had other things on my mind,” I said dryly, nodding to a few girls as they passed us. They nodded back, making me feel calmer. Not everyone hated me, this was good.
The cafeteria was packed when we arrived, and we quickly lined up to grab our dinner before sitting in an empty spot.
I was a little surprised when Lexi, Kat, and Jamie sat with us, but I didn’t draw attention to it.
Tina walked past and glared at me, but she spotted Lexi on my other side and kept walking. Hopefully, that meant no one else would bother me today either.
I couldn't go back in the hole for defending myself. I’d die if they canceled visitation with Hunter and had to wait even longer for some answers.
The girls talked among themselves while I ate silently, and it was nice to be able to eat in peace.
I spent the evening staying out of trouble, going with the girls to shower before heading back to our cell block to workout in my room until bed time.
No one was ruining that damn visitation for me.