Chapter twenty-six
Bexley
Between spending time with the guys, my friends, spontaneous-kind-of planned trips to Cedar Heights, and studying for final exams, sleep is a fond distant memory. Thank fuck for coffee because without the sweet bean of life, I definitely wouldn’t be the lovable little heathen I am.
We have a much larger group this time. Turns out the more we plan, the more things get a bit out of control. Though, I still maintain my innocence.
Arch told Abby since he had to explain why he couldn’t get Thai food with her. And in turn, Abs told Soph. And from there everything snowballed. Before I knew it, my introverted bestie was tackling me in gym class demanding to come with us.
It didn’t quite occur to me that perhaps I should have run that idea by Tai before agreeing.
I said yes before even contemplating the consequences.
But hey… the consequences weren’t really a punishment.
Not unless you count edging as one. He let me come eventually—only because I threatened to do it myself and was fully committed to that promise.
I’m not sure Tai realizes that even if he had managed to sex me into siding with him, it was never going to change Soph’s mind.
She arrived at my house, fully donned in black attire like some movie spy before Tai had even finished showering at theirs.
I guess that’s what happens when you spend too long having a disco party in the bathroom.
Your siblings absolutely will take advantage of your karaoke sessions and bolt from the house despite the well-intended threats.
Of course there was a small heated exchange of words at mine before Tai relented. He had no choice when Abs and Archer rocked up, outnumbering him.
Then when we arrived at Cedar Heights, I wasn’t at all surprised to find Mills waiting with Parker.
Soph nearly shit herself at his presence.
Maybe it was the equally spy inspired hoodie he’s wearing…
or the fact I actually saw him smile at her?
I was almost convinced those facial muscles didn’t exist in his anatomy, and I’m a bit sad that I only caught a glimpse of the rare occurrence since Mills tackled the fuck out of me when we got out of Tai’s car.
What did surprise me, however, was Steele’s companion. I’m not entirely sure if the cause of Hunter’s sour expression was because Steele was standing near him… or because Peyton decided to tag along.
I’m not sure what hold Peyton has over her cousin but I’ll need to find out her tips and tricks because I’ve never known Hunter to have the ability to bite his damn tongue.
Or maybe that was just a Bexley special.
I’m actually glad Peyton is here. The poor girl needs to be surrounded by people who won’t treat her like shit and stab her in the back.
Even though our start wasn’t desirable, I have no reason to doubt her.
If anyone knows what it’s like being on the receiving end of Liv’s bullshit, it’s me and Peyton.
Nothing like bonding over vapid airheads who think the world revolves around them.
Maybe a bigger person would feel guilty about stealing one of Liv’s best friends from her. Not me though. I’ll steal her friend and bone the guy she wants. Plus, you can’t steal what someone never had. She only has herself to blame for that.
“Are we ready?” I ask the group, fetching the key out of my pocket. I hand it over to Hunter like it’s part of the routine now. He takes it, still sucking on invisible lemons, while giving me a curt nod.
“Let’s make this quick,” he grumbles, avoiding eye contact with everyone.
Rylan slides up beside me with a shit-eating grin. “Ignore him. Pretty sure he was hoping to corner you alone to see if he could fuck you through a wall.”
I cock an eyebrow, lowering my voice. “We’re going in the tunnels,” I mumble, amused. “I’m not sure the walls are as unstable. Well… I fucking hope not, anyway.”
“He loves a challenge.”
“Are you two coming or not?!” Hunter snaps from the entrance.
Glancing over at him as the rest of the group heads inside the dark building, I throw him my best sympathetic—sorry, not sorry—puppy dog eyes. “Calm your tits, Hunter. It’s not that deep.”
“That’s what she said,” Rylan murmurs under his breath, giving his best friend a little pat on the shoulder as he moves past.
“Fuck off,” Hunter grouches at him, holding the door open for me. “And my tits are fine and well composed.”
I snuffle a laugh. “Are you sure? You look mildly annoyed at something.”
“I’m not annoyed.”
“Really?” I question, waiting as he closes the door behind us. The others are already out of sight, probably nearing the library. I can’t help but feel Hunter is dragging his feet deliberately, despite attempting to stress the urgency of us acting fast. “So, you’re cool with Peyton being here?”
He pauses, body tensing up. “I’m completely fine,” he says unconvincingly. “The more, the merrier.”
“That’s what I’m saying,” I smirk, wiggling my eyebrows suggestively.
My plan seems to work, Hunter catching on quickly to the innuendo. See—sex does have its benefits as a stress reliever. Even the mere mention is a great distraction tool.
His face softens. Well, maybe not softens. But the annoyance definitely dissipates as a look of awe washes over his expression, eyes dancing with heated ideas. Probably wasn’t the best idea to comment that considering what Ry just told me.
“I’m not entirely convinced you are ready for that,” Hunter says low, stepping toward me.
I straighten up as he approaches, goosebumps raising on my arms from his body heat. “You don’t give me enough credit,” I tell him. “I handled Ry and Tai easily. Adding you to the mix isn’t a concern at all.”
Even in the dark, I can see Hunter’s eyes flash at my words.
Shit… I should probably check myself—even mentally or into an asylum—because we’re very much near beams I could get thrown through.
And personally it’s not the best idea to have our group of accomplices catch us going to pound town.
I don’t have the money to personally fund one therapy session, let alone several.
But at least I’d probably be eligible for a group discount.
“Oh, Bexley,” Hunter tsks. “Your underestimation will be your downfall.”
“Promise?”
Before he can reply, the two of us practically touching, footsteps come back round the corner and Ry lets out an amused chuckle. “Can’t take the two of you anywhere. Hurry the hell up and get your asses to the library.”
“Saved by the other boyfriend,” I tease, stepping back with a smirk and spinning around to follow Ry.
I hear Hunter tracking behind me, his gaze burning holes into my back as we make our way to the library. The others are waiting patiently by the open hole, chatting casually among themselves. When we reach them, everyone turns expectedly toward me—even the Willowbrook crew.
“Alright,” I start. “We’ll go with the plan. Arch, Abby, Mills, and Hunter will stay at the entrance to keep guard. The rest of us will head down the tunnels. I’m not sure how far it goes. There’s a chance the distance is too long and we’ll need to stop. But look for anything along the way.”
“What are we looking for?” Steele asks. I notice he’s standing awfully close to Peyton, her curious eyes gazing around the building.
There’s no hostility or fear in them, just fascination despite the ruins.
If I’m not mistaken, it’s almost as if she’s imagining Cedar Heights in full swing.
The thought nearly derails me into a fit of giggles, wondering how Liv or Dean Lannister would cope if one of their own ever came to Cedar Heights.
But fuck them—we might not have fancy equipment or state-of-the-art facilities, but we’re a lot happier.
Don’t get me wrong. It’s not like everyone is besties. People fight. It’s human nature, after all. But even when we butt heads or dislike someone, we still respect them. Clearly, that’s something money can’t buy. Or, at least, it’s seemingly earned with dollar value at a place like Willowbrook.
Ry places a hand on my back, his fingers rubbing small circles over my spine as he takes over. “Anything suspicious. Secret doors, out of place objects, sounds. I don’t anticipate running into anyone down there, but people leave evidence behind, even without realizing.”
Steele nods. “Sounds good.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I spot Hunter scowling as he bodychecks my former orgasm buddy. Well, shit. I forgot about that. Is he more annoyed that I used to fuck Steele, or that his cousin now is?
Who am I kidding? Hunter probably just has an automatic setting to be a dick to anyone from Cedar. Poor Steele doesn’t stand a chance given his history.
“Keep your phones on you. Arch will add everyone new to the group chat so we can stay in touch. And we’ll probably need to use the flashlights on our phones to guide us.” I pull my phone out and turn the light on, watching as everyone else does the same.
Ry kisses my cheek before heading down the hole first. Tai goes next, only pausing briefly to glare at his sister who blows him a kiss.
One by one, they disappear into the dark, and when I’m the last one, I step to Hunter and cup his cheek in my hand.
“Try to behave, please.”
He scoffs. “I always behave.”
Between us, Arch snorts. “Sure.”
When Hunter relaxes and smiles at the tiny jab, I feel a strange sense of…
something. Happiness? Amusement? Whatever it is, the unfamiliar warm feeling sends butterflies swarming around my stomach.
Seeing them get along is a comfort, and I guess if I had to pinpoint why, it’s the fear and worry I initially felt that I would be the awkward middle man in the dynamic.