“Exactly.” She winked and flounced away in her normal peppy fashion. I heard voices in the hallway and figured Keenan came looking for her.
I thought back to the day Keiran punched Benny but all I could remember was going home upset about my music player and had found it lying on my steps. I never did found out who put it there.
* * *
“Blake said he has our supply ready for pickup.”
“Good. You put the word out?”
“Yeah, me and Dash are on it. He can’t make this run with us, though. His dad has him tied up with something. So what are you going to do with her?” I tried not to panic at the possible meaning of his question as I eavesdropped. Sheldon must not have closed the door all the way when she left because I could hear everything they were saying.
“She comes with us. I can’t risk letting her out of my sight, at least not right now.”
“What are you doing with her anyway?”
“I’m getting my year back.”
“She told me something today.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah, when I was playing guard,” he stated with sarcasm flooding his tone. “She told me she lost her cellphone the day the call was made. She asked me to believe her.”
“Do you?” Keiran sounded disinterested but I could also hear the bitterness in his tone.
“No—it’s just…she sounded pretty convincing and looked scared as hell. Did you do something to her? Say anything? You the other morning alone but showed up to school late with her.”
“How do you know I showed up late?” he asked, ignoring his questions.
“Come on man. When you show up to school with the one person everyone knows you hate, people talk. Not to mention she’s the hottest piece of ass at Bainbridge.”
“Watch it,” he growled.
“See what I mean? That! What is that? You claiming her now?” Keenan’s frustration increased the volume of his voice until he was yelling. I was curious to know myself why Keiran reacted so strongly.
“You don’t want Sheldon to hear you say some shit like that. You are already on a tight leash as is.”
“Yeah, well you let me worry about Sheldon. She’s beautiful; no doubt about it but Lake could give her a run for her money, that’s all.”
“Doesn’t matter. I’m keeping an eye on her vindictive ass, nothing more.”
“If you say so. Look, lets pick up the supply. Grab your girl. We got to drop Sheldon off at home. I don’t want her involved with this. Her pops would have me wasted.”
“He might just do it himself,” Keiran laughed and just like his smile, I wanted to see and hear more of it. It made him appear human.
I heard footsteps and quickly attempted to look as if I wasn’t just straining to eavesdrop. The door opened and I heard him walk inside. I twisted my body and saw a towel was wrapped around his waist as he stood by his dresser. When his hand dropped to the knot in his towel, I quickly looked away. The sound of the material hitting the carpeted floor forged a visual of his naked body to the forefront of my mind. I desperately fought the urge and temptation to look.
Only when it was quiet and the rustling off his clothing ceased did I open my eyes. I didn’t even realize I’d closed them. I turned again to see that he put on jeans and a dark hoodie. I could see the little beads of moisture from his shower glistening on the dark strands of hair covering his head. He was pulling on a boot as I watched the muscles of his broad back ripple with his movements.
“Are you taking me home now?” I asked hesitantly and despite what I just clearly heard. When his shoes were on his feet he stood up and finally glanced at me.
“I have shit to do which means you’re a part of it.”
“I can’t go anywhere with you. My aunt will want me to be home.”
“Your aunt is thousands of miles away on her book tour and won’t be back for six weeks. Besides…she trusts your judgment.” I gaped at his smug face.
“How would you know if she trusts me?”
“I went through your text messages,” he answered as if it were perfectly okay to invade someone’s privacy. I wondered how much he might have gone through and if he’d seen the messages between Willow and me. Willow would check on me often throughout the day to make sure Keiran hadn’t gotten to me. It was a failed attempt being that he always found me no matter where I was but she was the best kind of friend.
“I don’t feel comfortable going anywhere with you.”
“And this is me not giving a fuck,” he said. He walked over to where I was sitting and released me from the cuffs. “Let’s go.” He moved toward the door, dismissing me. Anger and frustration like I never felt before flooded my senses. I wanted to argue.
I needed to fight back.
“No.” I ground out the word and sat down on his bed again with my arms crossed. I didn’t get a chance to rethink the danger of that move and the vulnerable state it placed me in, but he did. He froze with his hand above the knob. My heartbeat stuttered then slowed when he turned slowly to face me with a menacing expression plastered on his beautiful face.
“I told you, you didn’t deserve my bed, but since you seem to want it now, I can accommodate you.” Fear and confusion wound its way into my mind when he took threatening steps toward me while reaching for his hoodie and tossing it over his head. When he reached the foot of the bed, I panicked and scrambled for the head, only making it halfway before he grabbed onto my ankle and dragged me, kicking and screaming, back to him. I was relieved when he released me but his next words made the panic come rushing back.
“Take off the dress. You can get fucked on the floor,” he snarled. His gaze was stormy as he glared down at me. I watched his nostrils flare when I didn't move.
“Why would I do that?” I fought to hold it together when all I wanted to do was run and hide.
“Because I said so.”
“Just take me home!” Frustration rose inside me and I let my tone reflect it.
“Take it off. You have three seconds.”
“But –”
“One…”
“I really don't –”
“Two. Don’t make me get to three.”
“Or what?” I challenged as a last resort.
“I do it for you.” His hands grabbed my dress at the hem and the sound of ripping material had me grabbing his hands to stop him.
“Ok!” I yelled in surrender and stood up. Our bodies were only a breath apart and I could feel the simmering heat from his anger and his body, penetrating my senses. My shaking hands rose to the straps of my dress, slipping them down slowly until my dress dropped to the floor with a whisper of sound. I kept my eyes lowered though I felt the weight of his gaze on my skin. I noticed his hands clench into fists and hold and I wished I had the courage to ask what he was thinking.
“Kill the fucking act. You don't have anything I won’t see, and feel, and taste. Again…” My knees shook and my shoulders trembled at his harsh words. “…and again…”
“Stop,” I pleaded.
“…and again,” he continued. He looked me up and down before saying, “I’ve seen better. You don’t have anything special.” He then picked up my dress and tossed it at me for it only hit the floor again at my feet.
A sound of distress escaped my throat and I rushed to pick up the pale yellow material and clutch it to my naked chest. With a look of disgust he stormed out of the room, the vibration of the door slamming echoing throughout the room.
* * *
“Turn here. He said he’d be in the quad,” Keenan directed. We’d just driven thirty minutes out to the local college. I wondered what the supply was that we came for. Keiran parked the car but kept the engine running. He watched me through the rearview mirror and held my stare. After he destroyed me emotionally in his bedroom I remained silent, wanting to lick my wounds in peace.
“There he is,” Keenan exclaimed with excitement lacing his voice. He rubbed his hands together before jumping out of the car.
Keiran continued to watch me even after Keenan was gone. When my nervousness began to show through my fidgeting, he smirked. “Stay here,” he ordered and then he was gone, breaking the connection he held me in.