Page 16 of Pretty Lies (Watch Me Burn #1)

CHAPTER SEVEN

RORY

L oud banging startled me awake the next morning, but my sudden panic was instantly calmed as Jensen’s sleepy voice rumbled from behind me, his arms pulling me more firmly against his chest. “It’s okay, it’s probably Ty.

He said yesterday he might stop by this morning on the way to school. He can use the spare key to get in.”

I went to speak, but footsteps stomped up the hallway and the bedroom door slammed open. Caden glared at me as he leaned against the door frame, apparently still in his bad mood.

“Now that he’s fucked the brat out of you, are you going to come back home and talk?”

“Holloway—” Jensen warned in a low voice, but Caden wasn’t having it.

“Shut it!” he barked, keeping his angry eyes on me.

I snorted, flipping him the bird without moving from my safety net of Jensen’s arms. “Fuck off, Holloway.”

He looked ready to strangle me as he moved around to my side of the bed and gripped my throat firmly, but not painfully.

“Still got attitude, huh? How about Jense and I fuck it out of you together then?”

“No. Fuck off,” I spat, my entire body going rigid as his other hand went to grab the top of my pants, panic filling me as the air in my lungs went tight.

Why wasn’t he listening?

My trust wavered when I smacked at his hands and he didn’t take the hint, the panic only growing.

Jensen was suddenly on his feet, giving Caden a solid shove back and forcing him to let go of me, surprise filling Caden’s eyes as he faced off with his friend.

“Back off!” Jensen snapped.

“The fuck, man? She’s screwing both of us anyway, so why the hell?—”

“She fucked you once, that doesn’t mean shit!” Jensen exclaimed, and I knew he sensed me freaking out at the angry tone in his voice because he sat on the edge of the bed and placed his hand on my waist to comfort me. “I’m not going to touch you like that. It’s okay.”

“But you—” Caden managed to get out before Jensen cut him off again.

“I let her spend the night here, but I didn’t sleep with her.

Get the fuck out and I’ll meet you in the kitchen,” he growled, laying down beside me and pulling me close to calm me more.

Caden glanced at my pathetic, shaking body and frowned before leaving us in peace.

“Want me to throw him out? Are you okay?”

His worry for me gave me both butterflies and anxiety. I wasn’t sure how to accept it, so I did the one thing I knew how to do.

I bailed.

“You guys take your time, I’ll find my own way to school,” I mumbled, climbing from the bed to try and get as far away from him as possible, but the kindness in his voice as he replied caused me to pause.

“Do you know how to drive?”

I peeked back at him, giving him a small nod. “I have a license, I just can’t afford a car.”

That was embarrassing to admit, but it was the truth. Not all of us got brand-new cars for our sixteenth birthday.

“I’ve got two cars, so you can take one of mine. Would you like a shower?” he asked, following me from the room and guiding me to the bathroom. “Towels are here, help yourself. I’ll meet you in the kitchen and give you some keys so you can go.”

I didn’t thank him, but I didn’t need to. He gave me a knowing smile and left me alone, and I was grateful to find that the door locked.

I had a quick shower to clear my head, needing to get my shit together before facing Caden again. I knew he wasn’t a rapist, but I hated that he’d assumed I’d be fine with him yanking my pants off like that, especially in front of Jensen.

Chances were high that Jensen never let girls stay over unless they fucked him, but that was beside the point. Caden shouldn’t have even considered the possibility without asking.

I padded down to the kitchen once I was done, slowing my steps when I noticed Caden and Jensen talking at the kitchen counter.

My heart beat faster as some of the anxiety returned, but I calmed a little when Jensen looked over when he heard my approach and gave me a genuine smile, tossing me a set of keys.

I snatched them from the air with a frown. “Which one?”

“Camaro, babe. I’m taking the Lambo today.

I’ll meet you at your locker, I won’t be long,” he winked, making me roll my eyes as I thanked him, but inside I was having a fucking orgasm and singing a prayer to Jesus.

I wasn’t going to hang around and give him time to change his mind, and I wanted to get away from Caden while my nerves were still fried.

I made my way down to the garage, running my fingertips over the Camaro’s hood with admiration before glancing over at the red 2021 Lamborghini Aventador that was parked next to it.

“Rich people get all the fun,” I grumbled, unlocking the Camaro and sliding into the driver’s seat, letting out a loud moan as I started the engine and it roared to life.

I hadn’t driven many V8s before, but I understood why most guys would cut off their left nut for one. I always thought cars like this were sex on wheels, but holy hell, I had a whole new respect for them now.

I gently eased it out of the garage and moaned again as it rumbled with power, cranking the music up until the bass shook the whole car.

I drove towards the school, finding Tyler and Lukas leaning against a burnt-orange 2018 BMW i8 Roadster coupe when I arrived. I parked beside them and turned the music down, ignoring everyone that was looking at me with wide eyes.

I’d never seen anyone else drive the guys’ cars before, so I’d been surprised that Jensen had given me the Camaro.

This one must have been his pride and joy since it was the only one I’d seen him drive.

I made sure to lock it once I’d climbed out, making my way over to the other two confidently as the whispers reached my ears from the other students.

Tyler grinned, his arms crossed against his chest loosely.

“No way, Jense let you borrow the Camaro? He’s just out to piss off Holloway now, isn’t he?

Caden knows it’s one car that Jensen doesn’t let anyone else drive.

Seeing you driving it will make him crazy.

Unless you stole it, which is also a high possibility.

Do you have my friends tied up in the trunk? ”

I chuckled, already guessing Jensen’s motive was to piss Caden off.

“Caden’s already mad. He woke me and Jensen up and basically tried to drag me out of bed.

I left him at Jensen’s because they were fighting about it.

And, no. I didn’t steal the Camaro. Jensen tossed me the keys and said he’d meet me at my locker.

You think because I’m from the Heights that I steal cars? ”

I’d stolen plenty before, but that wasn’t the point.

“You stayed at Jensen’s?” Tyler asked with surprise, glancing at Lukas, who kept his face blank. He’d probably known about it since Jensen was his best friend, but then again, Lukas had never told him about my trauma, so maybe they didn’t talk about everything.

“Yep. Caden can kiss my fucking ass,” I retorted, and Tyler smirked at me crudely.

“He’s more likely to eat your ass, but whatever. If he won’t, come and knock on my door. I’ll eat it for you. Bone apple teeth, or whatever the saying is.”

“Charming. And do you mean bon appetit? It’s French for enjoy your meal . Your rich boy education is failing you. I guess money can’t buy everything,” I replied dryly, intending on walking off, but he waved a cigarette at me with a friendly smile.

“Ignore me, I’m a fucking asshole, you’ll get used to it. Come lean on my car and look cool with me. We were just talking about the party I’m throwing at mine on Friday night. You’re coming, right?”

I cringed as I took the cigarette and lit it, leaning against the BMW. I didn’t like big parties, and I assumed these rich pricks knew how to throw a big one. It wasn’t like I was a complete buzzkill, I liked to party as much as the next bitch, but crowds of strangers made me nervous.

“How many people are going?”

“Everyone, but you’re our queen, so you get to hang out in the cool kid’s corner with us and avoid people, if you like.”

“I do like to party,” I finally mumbled, causing Lukas to frown as he moved to lean against the blue 2019 Aston Martin Vanquish S Volante convertible that was next to Tyler’s car.

“You do?”

I met his gaze and raised an eyebrow. “Well, I like being drunk or high. So yeah, I guess.”

“You smoke weed now?” he scowled, earning a snort from me in return.

“Who said I get high on weed? I’m Heights trash, remember?

I can find anything I want for the right price.

Besides, I do recall my first joint or two was with you.

” I had a drag of my cigarette before glancing over my shoulder as the sound of power rumbled into the parking lot and the red Lamborghini that I’d seen in Jensen’s garage that morning came into view.

Caden’s Challenger drove in behind him and they parked next to the Camaro, Jensen climbing out and making a show of checking the Camaro over for damage as if he thought I’d taken it off-roading or something.

“Looks like you handled her okay then?”

I smirked, flicking the ash from my cigarette. “C’mon, I’m a good driver, and I have a high respect for muscle cars and V8’s. Why are you so surprised that it’s in one piece?”

“I’m more impressed than surprised. I thought maybe you lied about knowing how to drive just so I’d give you some keys to make your escape,” he grinned, jerking a thumb in Caden’s direction, his face becoming serious. “Someone has something to say to you.”

I glanced over at Caden, noticing the awkward expression on his face, and my eyes instantly jerked back to Jensen accusingly.

“You fucking told him, didn’t you?” I hissed, a sigh leaving him.

“No, but I told him to apologize for making it seem like we were going to rape you tag-team style.”

Lukas choked on his cigarette, staring at me with wide eyes. “You told Jense?”