Chapter 10 #2
I can still feel him…his breath on my skin, the heat of him pressed too close, his voice like a sensual song. My body’s betraying me, pulsing where it shouldn’t, my memory whispers ‘yes’ while my brain screams ‘run.’ I squeeze my eyes closed, but all I can see is six years ago.
“Haven?”
I grudgingly stop as I walk past Cy’s door.
“What?”
“Come check out this new game.”
He points to the television and the latest aliens-versus-soldiers game that Anita got for him.
“I’ll pass.”
“Don’t be like that. It’s way better with a second person.” Cyrus pouts at me.
“But you hate me and I’m not allowed in your room. Remember? You made that very clear.”
“Truce. Come on, it’ll be fun.” The sigh is loud as it leaves my mouth. “I promise, I won’t be an asshole.”
“Spare me, it’s part of your DNA,” I grumble, but walk in anyway as he laughs, not denying it.
It feels like a trap, but summer has been super boring with Patrick away with his family, Dad is halfway across the country, and Anita is out, so why not? The only time he acts sorta-decent is when we are alone.
Crossing my legs, I sit beside him and take the controller from his hand.
Our fingers touch, and my heart pounds erratically in my chest. He doesn’t let go right away and just stares at me.
Then, like the flip of a switch, he clears his throat and looks away, letting go as if I’ve insulted him. Typical.
An hour later, we are laughing and having a good time. I hate the giant spiders and screech, shooting wildly as I spin in a circle, trying to get away from four of them that have suddenly dropped down from trees.
“Help me,” I say, but he is laughing so hard that he is useless. “Ah!” I run into a giant rock, then turn and sprint along the path, only to be trapped. “No, no, no, no, no.”
“Oh my god, you’re fucking hilarious. Watch out, there is a spider behind you,” Cy says and points.
I scream on instinct and then yelp as his fingers tickle my sides.
“Stop…I can’t breathe,” I manage to get out in between the hysterical laughter. I wiggle to get away, but somehow end up underneath him.
When he does stop, his lips hover inches above mine. The smile on his face slowly fades to something far more intense. It’s the same look that he’s given countless other girls, but this time it’s directed at me.
I’m very aware of how his body feels lying on mine. The heat of his skin and the scent of his body wash are intoxicating.
There is this tug between us, an invisible line that has always been there despite how hard I try to ignore it.
And now…he’s kissing me. No one has ever kissed me before, and I don’t know what to do. I’m frozen in the middle of my greatest fantasy like a deer in headlights.
“Open your mouth,” Cy demands, and when I do, he kisses me again. Harder this time.
His tongue touches mine, and I moan, loving the sensation. With each passing second, I get a little bolder and just like that, I’m kissing him back. I’m kissing Cyrus.
Cy’s muscles flex under my fingers as he presses closer between my legs.
Excitement and nervousness swirl into a heady mixture.
Everything feels desperate now, and I don’t know how to describe it, other than he is invading my senses.
My heart is in my ears, and all I can hear is the thump of it and the soft moans that escape my lips.
“What the hell is going on in here?”
Cy rolls off me at the sound of Anita’s voice. I push myself up and cross my arms over my chest as I stare at her, humiliation flooding my system.
“Cyrus, explain yourself right this minute.”
He remains on the ground, like a cat lounging in the sun, totally unaffected by being caught. His response is a casual shrug.
“She came in, started flirting with me, and then kissed me. What was I supposed to do? She practically assaulted me.”
My mouth falls open, and the last of the warm, tingly sensation vanishes from my body as he flashes me an evil smirk.
“That’s not what happened!”
This has to be the millionth time I’ve said that when it comes to Cyrus.
Anita pulls out her phone.
“You’ve always been such a vile and manipulative little bitch. Now, here you are, trying to seduce your step-brother. Just how deranged are you?”
“What? But—”
“I’m calling your father. I can’t even imagine what he has to say about this. He’ll be devastated to know his daughter is a slut.”
Ice-cold fear replaces the heat that seared me a moment ago. Anita stomps out, and I shoot a glare at Cy when he chuckles before racing out after his mother.
In desperation, I grab her arm, and she scowls at me.
“Don’t, please don’t call him. What do you want?”
She points at me.
“Stay away from my son. You’re not good enough for him, and you never will be.
He is destined for greatness, and you’re…
well, you’re you. If I catch you anywhere near Cyrus again, I’ll make sure that everyone, not just your father, knows what a little whore you really are, lusting after your brother. Disgusting.”
“You’re the one who keeps saying we’re not related and I’m not family.”
The words come out before I can stop myself, and Anita’s eyes narrow.
“Are you backtalking me right now, Haven?”
I let go of her arm.
“No, I’m just confused.”
“Well, let me clarify things for you. You aren’t worthy of being my family. However, in the eyes of those who matter, you’re his sister and wanting him…well…” She looks me up and down. “It’s a criminal offense.”
“But that’s not what happened. Cyrus is lying, and he’s older than me.”
“Please…we both know that you’ve been hot for Cyrus for years. I’m warning you, Haven, if you ever go near him again…I’ll ruin you.”
Anita marches off, and I spot Cyrus leaning against the wall, looking smug.
“You want to come play some more?”
“You’re such an asshole,” I growl and walk away as he laughs.
Cyrus Vale is an enigma I never learned how to ignore. An unanswered question I keep revisiting, hoping the ending might change. I hate that part of me still wants to solve him, even when I know he’s the thing that breaks me.
I dig my nails into my palms until the sting steadies me.
“Keep it together,” I whisper. “You already survived the worst. You can do this.”
But I don’t believe it. Not fully. Not when part of me wants to storm back in there and finish what he started.
My phone buzzes.
Charles.
Of course. The universe always knows when to twist the knife.
Charles: Just listened to your voicemail now. Long day. Sorry, I missed the Malone show. Hope the job’s not too intense. Try not to take everything the band does personally. I’ll call in a couple days.
That’s it? No, I miss you. No, I love you. Just emotional beige.
I stare at the screen, a heavy ache blooming in my chest. Shoving the phone into my back pocket, I stand straighter.
Let Cyrus burn. Let Charles stew. I’m not here for either of them.
I’m here to prove I can survive the chaos and walk out with my head held high and a job well done. This is nothing but a step to where I want to be. Nothing more, nothing less, and in this business, I’ll have to deal with assholes like Cyrus all the time.
If that means I walk through hell, so be it. Pushing away from the wall, I follow the corridor toward the exit doors. There is a concert tonight, and I need to prep. Day one, officially on the job, and I know exactly what to do first.