Page 6

Chapter Six

Jolie

I know I’m batshit crazy. I’ve never denied it. However, I try to be the bigger person when it comes to mean girls, like in my confrontation with the redhead, a.k.a. Chelsea. Turns out she is in my maths class. Yay for me. Her and her little posse are getting on my nerves, giggling and gossiping loud enough I can hear them. Sinclair insists the girls are threatened by my presence, and Jimmie agrees, yet besides the one public display with Laughn, I have kept my distance.

Boston snarls every time he looks my way, and Davis and Case ignore I exist. Marlow seems impartial to me, but in contrast, Laughn talks to me in bio and chemistry—the two classes we are in together alone. It makes me suspicious. Something has changed and they’re all acting weird. I don’t care enough to ask though, as the house has been quiet, so it suits me just fine. It will make the next few months fly by.

Jimmie and I join Sinclair and her friends at lunch. Her friend Joshua seems cool. He keeps the conversation going, even if he is a bit of a dork.

“So, word on the street is that there is a pool party at Boston’s house this weekend,” Danika says. The poor girl has no sense of style, but she doesn’t seem to care—the “just rolled out of bed” look suits her.

Sinclair looks at me and smiles in sympathy.

“What? You don’t need me to hold your hand. If you want to go, then just go,” I say, pulling the label from my water bottle.

Danika laughs, and even Joshua snorts.

“You don’t just go to a Gods party. You need to be invited,” Jimmie adds.

“I can get you an invite,” I say. This gives me an excuse to see if I can get a vibe from the guys. I catch Davis looking at me all the time, but he looks away as soon as I notice.

“Don’t fuck with a girl’s head. I will cut a bitch.” Danika doesn’t seem convinced, which makes me laugh.

“Watch this.” The screech from my chair echoes through the room. No one pays me any attention, except the Gods—yes, even I am now calling them Gods.

With my shoulders pulled back, a tempting sway to my hips, and a devious smile, I saunter across the room. Five sets of eyes watch as I approach. They all sit at one table, although sometimes they let others sit with them. Today it is only them and Laughn’s pet—a poor girl sitting on the floor beside him, playing with her phone. I hate how degrading this looks, but it’s her choice. It’s not like he has her tied up or anything.

“Hey, baby,” I chirp, sitting in Laughn’s lap.

His lips instantly move to my neck, my hair blocking the view of the other guys.

“Fuck, you smell good,” he growls, as his large hand moves over my face, his thumb resting beside my nose. His fingers wrap around my jaw, tilting my head. I didn’t expect it to be this easy. They were all avoiding me, and now he’s this handsy.

“I taste even better.” My lips caress his ear with my teasing whisper. His groan isn’t quiet, his erection the indication it’s time to ask for my favour. “So, you wouldn’t mind if I came to your little pool party, would you?”

“Is that even a question? You never had a choice,” he pants between nipping at my neck.

“Can I bring some friends?” Smiling against my skin, Laughn catches on to what I’m doing.

“Are they up for orgies?” he asks.

“Only one way to find out,” I throw back, knowing damn well these are not the kind of people that would be down for that. Well, maybe Danika—she seems like she would be freaky between the sheets.

“Fine, but that bikini better be skimpy.”

“Thanks, baby,” I say, placing a kiss on his cheek. As I glance up, I notice the four others watching us with various levels of concern. Smirking at them, I jump from Laughn’s lap.

“Dude, she just used her pussy to get her way.” Case laughs, leaning back in his chair and stuffing a chip in his mouth.

Turning away from them, I head back to my table.

“Fuck you later!” Laughn shouts across the room.

That makes me turn back to face him.

“I don’t need to fuck you later, baby. I already know I’ll be the best you ever had, and I don’t want to ruin it for your little pets.”

He throws his head back, and his Adam’s apple bobs up and down as he laughs. Boston even cracks a smile before I turn my back.

Laughn may look different with his contacts, tattoos, and body modifications, but he still has a dick.

“Holy shitballs! You just approached the lion’s den!” Danika shouts, her eyes almost bugging out of her head.

“I did. Now program your numbers in my phone and I will text you the details.”

My phone is snatched from my hand faster than I can blink, and Sinclair laughs while Danika programs in her number. She rambles on about going to buy a new bikini, one that shows a lot of skin, because she wants to make an impression.

“Oh, oops.”

I recognise that snarky voice, then feel cold liquid hit the skin of my back, and a girly shriek rips from my mouth.

“What the fuck!” I screech, standing from my chair as milkshake runs down my back. “That wasn’t a fucking accident,” I snap as Chelsea’s lips pull up in a sinister smile.

“I said oops,” she whines, hands placed firmly on her hips.

We have drawn a crowd in our standoff, and I don’t miss the Gods watching me. Case, however, shocks me with his smile. He’s clearly entertained by the show.

“I don’t care what you said. I’m going to mess up your pretty face.” Stepping towards Chelsea causes her eyes to widen, and her mouth forms an O.

“Y... you wouldn’t dare.” Her gasp at my sudden movement makes me giggle, and I throw my fist in her direction.

I have been in a few fights in my time, but this is the first time I’ve thrown the first punch. I could never afford to be the one who lets my guard slip first.

A crack and a loud crying noise are all I hear before I’m pulled from the crowd and thrown over a shoulder.

“Calm the fuck down,” Boston growls, while I hit the hard muscles in his back, doing more damage to my hands than his body.

“Put me down, I’m not done with her,” I snap.

He slips me down his body and I look up at him. His thick eyelashes and crystal blue eyes send me into a daze.

“Don’t move. Laughn will take you home.”

I nod, like a stupid lovesick puppy.

“Be a good little puppet and move along,” Chelsea adds.

At that, my daze is gone, and reality hits me full force. I try to duck under Boston’s arm, aiming for Chelsea again, but he tightens his arm around my neck so I can’t break free.

“You’re lucky he’s here to save you, and just to spite your stupid ass, I won’t stay away from the Gods. I may even fuck every single one of them just to piss you off.”

Laughn laughs, adding that he is down for it anytime I am.

“So, you’re a slut,” Chelsea throws out, like being called names is supposed to hurt my feelings.

“Maybe I am, but you should ask yourself why, after all this time, none of them will even look in your direction. You know, it’s pretty sad when Laughn won’t even keep you as his damn pet. He seems to have a new one every few days.”

Not that I would know. I’m just presuming none of them have fucked her. She doesn’t seem like their type: needy. Chelsea storms off, still shouting nasty things about me, and Danika is clapping, but Boston doesn’t seem pleased. I wish I could be back in a head lock when I see the vein in his neck protruding.

“Get rid of her. Now!” Boston demands, stepping around me.

Laughn grabs my hand and pulls me out of the cafeteria.

“What about signing out? I don’t need child services on my ass... Laughn, will you listen to me?” Slamming into his back, I pause, waiting to see what he has to say. His movements are slow, calculating. The hairs on my arms stand on end when he faces me. His black contacts have been replaced with green ones today and no pupil is visible.

“No, you listen,” he says, pushing me into the wall, hand spread across my chest. “You do not call the shots. We are showing you basic kindness because you’re Brennan’s pity project. Do not think for one second it is anything more than that.”

Well, it seems maybe I even pissed him off. His sudden change in attitude throws me off guard.

“Fuck you,” I growl, pushing his hand from my chest.

“I plan to—very soon. Now get in Brennan’s car and follow behind me. Run and you will regret it. You have zero idea what we are capable of.”

I smile, but it doesn’t reach my eyes. “You could have just asked nicely. It’s not like I have anything better to do.”

My hair clings to my face. I smell like chocolate, and soon I will start to dry. Curdled milk is not a smell you can forget easily.

I skip to the car, Laughn following close behind. Once the vehicle is in sight, I unbutton my vest, shrugging it from my shoulders.

Footsteps and huffing follow me. My blouse is next to go.

“Don’t test me, Jolie.”

“I’m sticky, Laughn.” The sarcasm drips from my voice.

Laughn makes me follow him to his house before we go to Boston’s. His mansion isn’t as big as the Myers’s, but still mind-blowing to someone who has only ever had her own room once—though the reason for that is one I hate to think about.

He leads me up to his room, and I hesitate at his door.

“I won’t bite... this time. We have just stopped off as I have to feed my snakes. Figured we could get it over with and get ready for the party before the others get home.”

I nod slowly.

Snakes. Baby steps. Deep breaths. “You want to feed those death noodles?”

Laughn’s laugh brightens the dimly lit room. “Are you scared of snakes, baby?”

I shrug. I wouldn’t say I’m petrified, but they can stick to their side of the glass tanks and everything will be good.

“Not as long as they stay at a distance.” I look around his room, quickly skimming the three snake tanks. The walls are black—everything is so dark besides the heat lights.

Squeaking catches my attention. Laughn has a huge pair of pointy tweezers and is holding a rat—a big dead rat.

“Did you just kill that thing? What is wrong with you?!”

“Snakes have to eat. What do you suggest I feed them?”

I shrug, moving to take a closer look in the tank holding the rats. One is grey, and the other is brown and white.

Laughn holds the tongs out, and a huge-ass snake strikes the rat before he throws it in the cage. The door slides shut, and he grabs another rat. My eyes close as a squeak and pop hit my ears. I need a plan, and I need to execute it at the right time.

The little grey rat looks me in the eye, and I can feel its fear. I know snakes have to eat, but this guy is so damn cute. I quickly hatch a plan to break the rat out.

Laughn is trying to convince the second snake to eat. I look at the rat in the tank and then towards the door. All I need to make it out is a distraction. I try to think of something that could work when fate or destiny, whatever people believe in, lands right in my lap. The snake Laughn is trying to feed strikes at him, and he curses, preoccupied with wrangling the temperamental serpent.

I creep closer to the rat cage and waste no time in executing my very dodgy plan of grab and run, snatching the grey rat as Laughn cajoles the snake to eat, no longer paying attention to me. Backing away slowly, I reach the door, then spin and bolt down the hall, taking the stairs three at a time. I’m out the front door, sprinting down the driveway—in my black sheer bra and pleated school skirt—until I get to Brennan’s car, and I don’t look back until I’m reversing out of the parking spot.

My final vision is Laughn standing on his front porch, scratching his head.

I don’t stop until I get back to Boston’s house and am locked safely in my room.

The young rat runs around my bed, exploring its new surroundings. Laughn texts me a few times, but I ignore him.

Laughn

Baby, why did you steal the snake food?

You did look hot AF making your getaway.

Boston isn’t happy.

He will be there soon.

“What shall we call you? What about Rathew?” His little squeak seals the deal. Rathew it is.

At least I was pre-warned that Boston was on his way home. I had time to snoop around and find something to keep Rathew in until I could get to a pet shop. I find a large plastic container with a lid in the garage, and a drill to make air holes.

The loud roar of an engine cuts off outside the garage, then a door slams and footsteps thump up the stairs.

“Jolie, I’ll find you!” Boston roars.

“Do you think he will find us in here?” I whisper, placing Rathew in his new cage.

The footsteps come back down the stairs as I push my ear against the door. Another door slams—he must have gone out to the backyard. I make my escape, creeping around the house. He will find me eventually, but I don’t plan to make it easy for him.

When the coast is clear, I sneak back up to my room, hiding my new pet in my closet. As I’m walking out, I come face to face with Boston, that damn vein in his neck pulsating.

“You’re infuriating,” he seethes, taking a prowling step towards me. “Now I’m sweaty from running around the house searching for you. What if something happened to you?” His glare penetrates my soul. It’s so weird to feel like his darkness speaks to mine.

Nine buttons.

Northwood Pines high school boys’ dress shirts have seven buttons down the front, then one on each wrist. Nine buttons are being released as he walks towards me with lust-filled eyes. He shucks off his shirt, his nipple piercing glinting in my peripheral vision as the fabric falls to the floor, but my eyes never leave his.

The distance between us closes and his nose presses against mine, his eyes sparkling, but they also hold all his secrets.

“Did he hurt you?” he whispers against my lips.

“Who? Laughn?” My voice is laced with lust. He nods.

“No, why would you say that?” I gasp as his hand slides down the front of my skirt.

“Because you ran from him and there’s usually only one reason girls run from Laughn—fear,” he says as he pulls my panties to the side and slips his finger into my core.

“Oh god,” I moan, his finger curling and pumping inside me.

“Not God, but damn near close.” His smirk reveals a dimple. If I didn’t already have a puddle of wetness between my legs, that dimple would have sealed the deal. “Answer me. Did he hurt you?”

I shake my head. The pressure builds inside my core, begging to be released.

I’m so close I can feel the peak of the orgasm, and a scream bubbles in the bottom of my throat. Boston laughs, removing his fingers.

“Are you serious right now? That is fucking nasty,” I snap, fixing my clothes.

“Did you really think I would fuck you?” He shakes his head, as if the thought totally repulses him.

“I did, but my bad. I’m sure one of your friends would be down to finish what you started.” The vein on the side of his neck protrudes again; he’s as mad as a cut snake. He wants to play games? Well, so can I. Laughn must not have told him I stole a rat. “Hmm, I wonder who I will try with tonight? Laughn I will save for last. I have a feeling he will be super fun to play with. It will be too easy.”

“Wanna bet?” he snarls.

“I love a good bet.” Both of us are too stubborn to back down.

“If you can sleep with all the Gods, excluding me, I will give you what you want and fuck you.”

I snort. Is he serious? I don’t even like him most of the time.

“I don’t even want to fuck you.”

The rise of his brow tells me he doesn’t believe me.

“Fine, what is it you want?”

A smile pulls at my lips. I know what I want. “Your room, and you can fuck me wearing those beautiful red Jordan’s.”

His eyes widen; he wasn’t expecting that. “Fine, and if you don’t sleep with all the Gods, then you leave. You pack your things and tell Brennan it isn’t working out here.”

“Sounds good to me. But you cannot tell any of the Gods we have this bet. Also, you can’t talk them out of sleeping with me with threats or warnings.” His curt nod signals his agreement. “Since we agree, get the fuck out of my room.”

I watch the muscles in his arms as he picks up his shirt slowly, while my legs clamp together.

Boston pauses at the now open door. “Oh, Jolie, did you know Brennan is a God?”

“You fucking cheat!” I scream.

His laughter echoes down the hall, ending when he slams his door closed.

Of course, he would play dirty. Laughn, Case, Marlow, and Davis I could screw. I learned a long time ago how to use my body to get what I want; sex is just sex. But Brennan, I’m not sure if this is a bet I can win. How do I betray the only person currently in my life who genuinely cares about me? I will need to have a little chat with Brennan. How the hell is he a God? I thought it was just a high school, top-of-the-food-chain thing.

Boston just upped the ante, and now it’s game on.

List of suspicious shit.

1- Weird note.

2- Kidnapped and chased… Was it them?

3- Brennan being there to save me.

4- Being fostered by Brennan’s parents.

5- Brennan being a God.