23
THEA
I’ve been laying by the pool all afternoon, letting the sun work out my frustrations. Cole said they don’t celebrate the holiday, although he mentioned the view of the fireworks from their patio is breathtaking. A quiet night in it is.
Through closed lids, I feel the sunlight being blocked. It’s supposed to be a clear day.
Opening my eyes, I see Wesley, Sutton, Damian, and Cole standing over the lounger. “Is this an intervention?” I ask, holding up the margarita pitcher I’ve been working through.
“Yes. Yes, it is,” Sutton admits. “We’re not letting you sulk all day. Get up, we’re going out tonight.”
I shade my eyes with my hand. “And where exactly might we be going?” Nearly the whole town and every neighboring town will be celebrating, leaving little to do aside from going to see fireworks, which we can do right from here.
“We’re taking you to the carnival. Candy apples, fresh squeezed lemonade, rides, cotton candy, games. Anything you want, it’s yours,” Cole coaxes enticingly.
Eyeing them skeptically, “All of us? I heard town events aren’t really your thing,” I retort to none of them in particular.
“You’ve been doing your research on us?” Damian crosses his arms and stares down at me. I shrug. “They aren’t our thing. However, we think it could be yours, so get your ass moving.”
“Before I move it for you, blue eyes.” Wesley surprises me. First, he doesn’t look away when I stare at him and now he’s threatening to carry me off. Interesting.
I close my eyes again, despite their shadows blocking the sun. “I don’t know if that’s such a good idea. What will the decent people of Willow Hill say when the boudoir photographer walks in with the Wolfe Creek Four? Imagine the rumors that will spread.” That’s the last thing I need. My business is already suffering from the issues with the software. I don’t need immortality being yet another reason I can’t get clients.
There’s a moment of silence and then I’m being hoisted out of my chair. “What the fuck?” The half pitcher of margaritas swirls in my stomach sickeningly as Wesley throws me over his shoulder.
“Let them talk,” Damian replies flatly as he bends down to hold my gaze. “If you couldn’t tell, we make good on our threats and our promises. Now, you know to listen the first time.”
I don’t fight against Wesley as he carries me inside. He’s too strong. He drops me to the ground and they all stand there, waiting for me to head down to the guest room.
I cross my arms—the tequila is making me bold. Damian rolls his eyes.
“I’m giving you one chance to go downstairs and get ready.” He stalks over to me. “Otherwise, I have no problem taking you out in this.” His fingers hook into the side of my bikini bottoms. He pulls them and then lets it snap against my skin. “Even if it means that I have to kill every motherfucker that looks at you.”
“Ow!” I’m going to wring his neck. But that look in his eyes is too serious, like he might actually drag me to the carnival in my swimsuit. “Fine,” I grumble and stomp off.
I make a real effort to pull myself out of my bad mood. The thought of sweets and rides seems like just what I need to get out of my funk. Jumping in the shower, I let the warm water wash away the tension the liquor couldn’t get to.
The only extra clothes I brought are a pair of jean shorts and a fitted white tank top. After dressing, I twist my hair into two braids that hang down my chest. Mascara and a coat of cherry red lipstick finish my festive look.
Bounding up the stairs, I find all four guys patiently waiting for me.
“Hello, Miss American princess,” Damian says appreciatively, not missing how each of their gazes sweeps over me leisurely. I roll my eyes and lead the way outside. “Bet Wesley’s regretting that decent ass comment right about now,” he mutters under his breath.
“He definitely is.” Sutton gives a low chuckle in agreement.
“Fuck off,” Wesley grumbles. I sneak a glance back and catch his eyes as they lift from my ass. I quickly turn back around before he can see the smirk I’m sporting.
I guess Damian was right. I don’t need to worry about Wesley.
I sit between Wesley and Sutton in the back seat of Cole’s Range Rover as we circle around, searching for a parking spot. Sutton’s hand rests on my thigh, as his thumb traces circles on my skin. His touch comforts the nerves that the tequila hasn’t killed.
The grand speech I made to Cole about not wanting to care about what others think sits heavy on my mind. It’s consuming me, not giving me the strength I need. I don’t want the stares or the whispers. I only want to have fun tonight.
Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Wesley glancing down at our hands every so often. For a moment, I wonder if I should reach out and take his, but decide against it. I don’t want to make him uncomfortable and possibly ruin the evening before it starts.
“Before I forget, Cole, have you heard anything about my truck?” His eyes look at me through the rearview as he answers. While I’m grateful that Cole’s been beyond accommodating with driving me where I need to go, I hate not having my truck. I’m not used to relying on someone for something as basic as getting around.
“Not yet, but I’ll call tomorrow to see if they can speed things up.” He smiles and I thank him.
When we finally find a parking spot, we all hop out and Damian gathers us before we head to the festivities.
“Listen, no matter what, we’re going to draw some attention. We never come out to stuff like this and we have a reputation whether or not we like it. So let’s not do anything stupid. Thea doesn’t need any extra stress, so keep the PDA to a minimum. This isn’t an exhibition.” He gives Sutton a long look. “Understand?”
We all nod, heading towards the lights and noise that are coming from what was a large empty lot days ago. The sky is darkening slightly and glowing lights in reds, yellows, pinks, and greens, along with the sounds of music, laughter, and screams, sends a thrill of excitement through me.
The men keep their hands to themselves as we buy our wrist bands, aside from the occasional palm on my lower back or the brush of fingers over my arm—mostly from Cole and Sutton.
“What’s first, princess?”
My eyes go wide, taking everything in. While the lights on the rides are all different colors, everything else is decorated in red, white, and blue. Hoards of people are dressed in similar colors or have flags on their shirts or hats.
“Rides first, definitely.” I scan over the options. A swinging ship. The Ferris wheel. Bumper cars. “Dizzy Dragons!” I screech and head towards it, not waiting to see if they follow.
It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this excited about anything—tonight, I’m going to embrace it.
The great thing about small town events is that there aren’t long lines, unlike in Atlanta, where waiting an hour wasn’t uncommon. We’re let onto the ride immediately.
The five of us cram onto the bench of the car. I’m pressed up against Damian and Wesley, however, I’m too excited for the ride to be nervous about their proximity.
“Wes!” a voice screeches out from another car. A woman is waving her hand excitedly—he returns it with his own polite wave and a warm smile. I hate the tinge of jealousy that hits my chest. I have no real claim on him.
The music and dinging starts up as the car swirls lazily in a circle. Wesley grabs the round disc in the middle.
“Wanna go fast?” He asks deviously. I nod vigorously.
“Oh god,” Sutton groans. Wesley takes it as a challenge.
His powerful hands are pulling at the disc with all of his strength. It’s the first time I notice the veins in his hands that run up his forearms. It shouldn’t, yet something about the sight makes my breath hitch. No, it’s definitely the speed of the car picking up, not Wesley, I correct.
He doesn’t let up—soon we’re whipping around and around. I throw my hands up and squeal in delight. Wesley is the only one sharing in my excitement. The others look like they might be sick.
When the ride comes to a stop, I can barely walk and I’m laughing uncontrollably. I know I look deranged, but I don’t care. I stumble into Wesley.
“Sorry,” I giggle, trying to right myself.
He steadies me. “Didn’t realize we had an adrenaline junkie on our hands.”
Sutton blows out a long breath. “Bro, you should have seen her on my bike.” His brows raise and something I don’t understand passes between them.
“Good to know,” Wesley mutters.
“Can we do something a little slower next?” Cole asks, looking a little green.
I look around and point out the carousel. Then the bumper cars and the musical express. They follow me as I drag them to each one.
“Okay, one more and then we can get food.” I put my hands up in prayer, pleading that they’ll indulge me one last time. “The Ferris wheel and then we’ll eat, I swear.”
Cole and Sutton put their hands up simultaneously, protesting. “I don’t do heights,” Sutton admits. Cole nods in agreement.
I frown a little, although it’s fine. They’ve been good sports. “Let’s eat.” I search for the concession stand. “Over there.” I point behind Sutton.
“No,” Damian says sharply. “You want to ride the Ferris wheel. We’ll do that first.”
“It’s alright,” I assure him. “I’m not going to make them go if they don’t like heights.” I’m heading in the direction of the food when I’m yanked back. “Hey!”
Turning, I find Damian’s hand wrapped around mine as he pulls me in the opposite direction. “Wes and I will take you on the Ferris wheel. We don’t mind heights.”
As much fun as tonight’s been, I don’t have any desire to get on that ride alone with them. I pull my hand out of his grip. “No, it’s fine. Really.”
Damian turns to face me. “Do you have a problem with us taking you?”
“What? No,” I lie. No sense in pissing him off by telling him the truth. I try to keep my expression flat as he studies me.
“Okay then, let’s go.” He takes my hand again, leading me towards the line to get on.
Worry knots my stomach at the thought of being alone with them. Damian’s grip around my throat just this morning is reason enough for me to feel this way.
Five minutes later, I’m seated between the two men with the bar pulled down across our laps. We make the slow rotation up and with darkness finally stealing the last bits of light, all I can see are the flashing lights of the carnival and the pitch black beyond our little town. It’s so beautiful and a welcome distraction from my anxious thoughts.
In the middle of my admiration at the peak of the ride, I feel the rocking start. At first, I think it’s a gust of wind. Glancing over, I see Damian leaning forward and then back. He’s tossing all of his weight into the metal bucket until it tips forward.
“Damian!” I screech. “Stop it!” But my alarm only makes him continue.
Holding onto the metal lap bar doesn’t make me feel any safer. The bucket tips even farther forward. I distantly hear the shouts of the ride operator shouting at Damian to stop. He still doesn’t. “Damian!” This time I scream.
The terror gripped part of my brain believes this is how I’m going to die. I’ll tip right out of this seat and smack into the ground, probably hitting the metal bars on the way down. My self preservation kicks in and I’m suddenly clawing at Wesley’s arms, practically crawling into his lap.
I bury my head in his chest and close my eyes. My nails dig into his shoulder. I feel him tense against me in pain, although I can’t unhook myself. I’m lost in the fear of it all.
There’s something else there too—a tightening low… No. That’s not right. I push the feeling away.
Finally, the ride resumes and we’re coming back down. I focus on my breathing and hardly notice the weight of something pressing me hard into Wesley’s side.
The lap bar disengages with a click, signaling that we’re back on the ground. My eyes are wet from panic and my whole body is trembling. I only distantly register the ride operator’s yelling and his flailing arms.
I want to make my legs move, however, I’m cemented. It isn’t until Wesley’s arm releases from my waist that I realize he trapped me there to make me feel safe.
“What the fuck, Damian?” I find my voice once we exit the fenced area of the ride, although it’s shaky at best.
I’m seething as I follow him back to Cole and Sutton. “Are you a maniac?” I can hardly contain myself and I lash out, my palms connecting with his back. It isn’t a hard push, yet I immediately realize what I’ve done and I go still.
Damian turns and I expect anger, but he’s grinning at me devilishly.
“Not cool man,” Wesley chimes in.
He tips his chin down and gives Wesley an unimpressed glare. “You have me to thank for all those souvenirs.” Damian points to Wesley’s arms. “You got to be the hero, Captain America. You’re welcome.”
I look closely at where Damian’s staring and see scratches all down Wesley’s arm. His shirt is no longer tight on his chest, stretched from where I clawed at him. I instinctively put my hand to his deeply tanned skin. “I’m so sorry.” He pulls away at my touch like he’s repulsed by me.
Wesley must see the pain on my face because he reluctantly mumbles, “It’s fine,” as he walks past me. I assumed Wesley’s kindness would be short-lived, however, I didn’t realize it would hurt when he took it away. I’m angry at myself for letting it bother me.
“Hey man.” An older man claps Wes on the back and gets a smile from him. Apparently, everyone has his kindness except for me.
I need a minute to compose myself, physically and emotionally. “I’m going to head to the restroom if you want to grab some food. Meet me back here in a few?”
“You good?” Cole asks, brushing the back of his hand against my face. That giggling girl from five minutes ago has disappeared. In her place is an embarrassed woman.
“Yeah,” I answer with a forced smile. “I just need a second.” He nods and I watch them walk off.
Going to the restroom was a good idea. I have raccoon eyes from smudged mascara. I quickly fix it, trying to push away the humiliation.
I replay the last few minutes. Damian purposely scaring me on the ride. Him telling Wesley that he was the hero. Did Damian do that so that I would have to get close to his brother? I don’t want to believe that, but I don’t see any other reason for it.
Wesley wrapped his arm around me, to make me feel safer or so that I wouldn’t actually fall out of the seat—either way, he protected me. Yet when I touched him, he pulled away. The signals are polar opposite. I’m confused, although what I do know is that my initial gut feeling of not wanting to be on the ride alone with them was accurate.
I need to trust myself more.
I’m drying my hands and throwing away the paper towel when I hear someone talking.
“She’s here with all four of them. Can you believe that?” someone says from the stall at the end of the bathroom.
“I know,” another voice replies. My face heats, knowing they’re talking about me. “She has no shame. Keep your weird, kinky shit outta our faces.”
I pull open the door, prepared to ignore the women like I had at the grocery store, but anger clouds my judgment. “Mind your fucking business,” I yell. Their silence tells me I’ve startled them. “Better yet, find someone who can fuck you as good as they fuck me. Then maybe you’d have something interesting to talk about.”
The door slams behind me. I’m fuming as I head to the spot between the bathroom and the row of carnival games. I search the crowd for the guys, but I don’t see them.
I check my phone, no messages. The anger is still coursing through me. I want to leave.
“Hi, Thea,” a voice calls out from behind me. I spin, already knowing who it is.
Gavin stands there, arms crossed and a scowl on his face. The waves of anger rolling off of him and the knowledge that he’s broken into my truck should scare me. But I’ve had it.
“Gavin, can you take a fucking hint? Why am I even asking that? Of course you can’t. You couldn’t take any for twelve years. So naturally, you’ll be just as dense now.”
Gavin’s jaw tightens. “I don’t think you understand. I’m not leaving without you and my patience is wearing thin.”
I want to laugh at the irony of his patience being thin. If his is thin, mine is non-existent.
“Are you going to grab me again? Push me? Here in front of everyone? Are you going to hurt me? Hit me?” I spit the words at him and he has the audacity to be taken aback, like he”s never harmed me. “No, you’re not. I’ve decided that you don’t get to lay another hand on me ever again.”
He recovers, pulling himself up straighter. His brows lower and his eyes darken. The thought hits me again—I should be scared. Yet, I can’t bring myself to feel it. Maybe it’s the last of the tequila dulling me or maybe I’m still riding the high of the adrenaline from the Ferris wheel.
“I saw you with those guys.” The revelation doesn’t get a rise out of me. I’m honestly not surprised. I figured he’d been keeping an eye on me since he followed me into Sutton’s bookstore. “Is that why you don’t want me back? Too busy getting railed by four pricks? And Sutton is one of them? How pathetic.” My blood starts to boil.
I smile sweetly. “Oh no, that’s not why I won’t get back together with you. Your receding hairline, small dick, and shitty attitude are why I don’t want you. Getting railed by four cocks is just a bonus of being single. I’m making up for lost time.” That’s it. That had to have taken his ego down its last few notches.
I turn to leave, but Gavin reaches out and grabs my finally healed wrist. “You think you’re somebody now? Just because those freaks want to pass you around? You’re not. You’re still the same slut who let me fuck her on the second date.” My eyes narrow as I try to twist out of his grip. He’s holding on too tightly.
So much for not letting him lay another hand on me.
How the hell does he even know anything about them? I’ve never been seen with Damian or Wesley in public. The gossip is the only thing I can think of. He’s either overheard it or he’s been asking around about me.
I’m about to lay into Gavin some more, and hopefully distract him enough to get loose.
“Is there a problem here?” Damian’s voice calls out, drawing my attention. I look to see the four of them approaching and a wave of relief washes over me.
WESLEY
I’m letting Damian take the lead on this, but damn it if I don’t want to tear across the distance and rip this guy limb from limb. My eyes are laser focused on where he’s holding Thea in place. His knuckles are white from how hard he’s gripping her.
“Breathe,” Sutton mutters, so that only I can hear.
“I’m trying,” I grit out. I take a few deep breaths—it doesn’t help much.
You’d think that this idiot would back down when four huge guys approach him, he doesn’t. Instead, he opens his mouth and really ticks us off. “This is between us. So why don’t you move along?”
Damian lets out a low chuckle. He glances back at us, then at her ex. “Let me fill you in, Gavin. If you have a problem with her, then you have one with all of us. Get your fucking hands off her or you’re going to find out how much of a problem we can be.”
“How do you know who—”
Damian stops him. “I know enough about you that you should be worried. Now, let her go.”
He doesn’t. Her ex stands his ground and my body tenses, ready to give this guy the reckoning of his life.
Gavin is about Sutton’s height. He might have been athletic once, however, he’s barely in shape now. There’s no way he poses a threat to us. But he has Thea and could do some damage to her before we get to him.
“This skank isn’t worth it, boys,” he tries to reason.
Sutton must sense that I’m at my breaking point because he lays a hand on my arm as if he’s holding me back. Damian still has control. I won’t overstep, at least physically.
I shake my head and smirk. “She must be if you’re working this hard to get her back.” Gavin snarls at me. I push him farther. “She must be so fucking worth it.” I draw out each word. My teeth rake over my bottom lip as I slowly take her in from head to toe. I want him to notice it all.
Thea’s blue eyes go wide in surprise. She has every right to be shocked. It’s not like I’ve been welcoming to her. Just when I start warming up, my walls slam back into place. This morning I woke up and decided to make a real effort.
It was working until Damian had to ruin it. He rocked the Ferris wheel on purpose, knowing that it would freak her out and she’d turn to me. She played right into his trap.
The way Thea clung to me, her heart beating wildly against me, her nails dragging over my skin, made me hard instantly. Then when she realized what she’d done and brushed her fingers over the marks… I couldn’t take it. She’s getting too close, too fast.
I watch my brother walk towards Gavin—he’s had enough. Pride swells. There was a time I stood up for the four of us, mostly because of my size. Although Damian quickly proved that he could give it just as good as me, maybe even better, considering his temper.
Gavin gets this look in his eyes, like he wasn’t expecting my brother to make good on his threat. Yet, he stands his ground, still firmly holding onto Thea as if that’s going to stop what’s coming.
“You fucked with the wrong girl.” He cocks his fist back and drives it into his face.
Blood spurts out of his nose, spraying Damian and Thea. He finally lets go of her and she runs towards us.
Gavin staggers backwards as Damian steps toward him, grabbing him by the back of his neck. Pulling him close, he stares him dead in the eyes and tells him, “If you ever touch a hair on her beautiful head again, if you so much as think about hurting her, I promise it’ll be the last thing you do.”
My brother then leans in close, whispering something in his ear just as the fireworks start. Her ex’s eyes go wide. When Damian pulls back, Gavin stumbles as he jogs away from the carnival. I let out a small laugh as I imagine all the threats my brother could’ve possibly said to him—it doesn’t really matter, they all have the same gruesome outcome.
He wipes his bloody fist on his jeans. “Let’s get you home, princess. We can eat all of this food there. Maybe even watch a movie. Sound good?”
She’s in shock and absently nods. Thea doesn’t realize how far we’ll go to keep her safe. I’m sure she’s questioning if that protection is something she should appreciate or fear. The answer is both.