“She had a bad day,” I add. “You know? With her parents and all …”
“Ahh. I see.” She glances around the room. It’s spotless. I have a thing about tidiness when it comes to my personal space. The rest of the house I couldn’t care less about. “Is your homework done?”
I hold in a sigh. “Yes.” From a young age, my mother drilled into me that education is important—make good grades and make something of yourself—but she never once said that to Becky. It was like Becky was destined to marry royalty, and if I didn’t get into college, I’d be scrubbing toilets. And I find nothing wrong with that profession.
“May I go?” I ask, trying not to show my anger. I hate that Becky gets to come and go as she pleases, yet I have to ask. I still have three months before I turn eighteen, but that won’t matter. As long as I’m in school, I’ll have to do what she says.
“I suppose.” She sighs before leaving the next second. No goodbye. No I love you. Nothing. And I’m totally fine with it. I’m used to not being shown any kind of affection.
_______________
An hour later, I’m pulling up to the cabin and see his Jeep is already here. I grab my bag and get out.
Walking in, I find him sitting on the brown leather couch. He looks away from the TV, noticing me, but doesn’t smile, which is unusual. Seth is always in a good mood.
“What are you doing here tonight?” I ask him. He hates this place. Says it’s too low class. It belonged to his grandmother or some shit, so his parents kept it but never use it. His mom and stepdad are filthy rich. They’ve got a house on the lake and several homes all over the world. They even have a yacht in the marina where they sometimes stay.
“Felt like getting away,” he answers, looking back at the TV.
I can understand that. I plop down beside him and cross my legs, trying to put Deke out of my mind. I haven’t heard one word from him, but why would I? He got what he wanted. Sex. I hate that I crave it again. It hurt just as much this past Tuesday as it did the first time, but it was still amazing. The way he held me and kissed me. My skin tingled for days after. And last night, I craved it so much, I took care of myself thinking of him. “What are we watching?” I try to focus on Seth.
“Friends.”
Of course. Pretty sure he’s seen every episode more than twice.
He leans forward, picking up a green cup, and hands it to me. “I made you your drink.” I don’t take it, and he sighs. “Demi …”
“You know I can’t drink that,” I say softly. Ever since Becky drugged me, I have this thing about drinking from a cup that I didn’t make. My father warned us about it back in middle school, but I never thought my own sister would betray me in that way.
“Fine.” He places it back on the coffee table.
“You can have it,” I offer.
“I’m not in the mood to drink.” He gives a clipped answer.
I frown. Seth is always up to party. “Is something going on with Hayden?”
He doesn’t respond, but I notice the tic in his jaw, so I drop it.
“What movie are we gonna watch?”
Again, he doesn’t answer, and it sends up red flags. I sit back and watch him. His right knee bounces up and down nervously. He pulls his bottom lip in and chews on it. His breathing has picked up.
“Seth …” I place my hand on his shoulder, and he jumps. “What’s going on?” I demand, starting to get worried. He’s never like this.
He picks up the remote and holds it out in front of him as a long silence fills the room. When he finally speaks, his voice wavers. “You let Deke fuck you, right?”
I stiffen. Why does he care? And more importantly, why is he asking a question he already knows the answer to. He knew what my plan was the night of my Halloween party because he helped set it up. But he only knows about that first night. I haven’t filled him in on the fact that Deke was in my bedroom Monday night when he dropped me off at home, or that he fucked me three times Tuesday night. “Yes,” I respond slowly.
Another silence falls between us before he presses the button on the remote to turn up the volume. Ross’s laughter rises to the point it hurts my ears.
“Seth, what are you …?”
He turns to face me. Brown eyes full of regret. I push myself farther into the couch.
“Demi, I’m sorry.” I barely hear him whisper over the blaring TV.
“For what?” I look around the empty cabin. It sits on three acres, backed up to the lake with a small dock, there’s not another close by. You would only turn a TV up if you didn’t want someone to hear what you are about to do. “What’s going on?” He doesn’t answer. Instead, he places the remote back down on the coffee table.
I stand on shaky legs, picking up my bag. “I’m gonna go.” And begin to walk toward the door.
But he jumps to his feet and walks up behind me. He grabs my arm, spinning me around, and slams my back into the front door. “Demi.” He sighs my name, staring down at me.
“Stop, Seth.” I try to shove him away, but he doesn’t budge.
He pushes his body into mine instead, holding me captive against the door. Seth has played football all his life and got a scholarship to the University of Texas for his ball skills. He’s not a little guy by any means.
“Seth,” I snap. “Stop.”
His brown eyes narrow on mine. “I would if I could.”
“What the fuck …?” He grips my hair, cutting off my words, and yanks me from the door before slamming me face-first onto the hardwood floor.
BECKY
I drive down the gravel road with my windshield wipers on. I hate Collins, Oregon. It’s always cloudy and rainy, and I prefer sunny days and warm weather. I need to move to a beach where I can sunbathe all year round. Taking a deep breath, I get out of my father’s car and enter the clubhouse. I’m here to see Bennett.
“Hello?” I call out, the sound bouncing off the walls and high ceilings. Looking at the table that sits to my right, I smile when a black duffle bag catches my eyes. I remember all the things the GWS always keep on them from Austin’s journal.
“What are you doing here?” I watch a man step out of the bathroom at the top of the stairs. He stands there, drying off his hands with a white towel before he begins to descend the stairs.
I roll my eyes. “Cut the shit, Shane. Is Bennett here?” I need to talk to that fucker. He’s been ignoring my texts and calls. He doesn’t wanna piss me off.
He shakes his head. “Just you and me.”
“Well, I’m not staying.” I turn to leave.
“Why are you here?” he presses.
“None of your business,” I call out.
“How’s your sister?” he asks.
I stop and turn back to face him as he hits the bottom step. “Taken care of.”
“Doubtful.”
“Why do you care?” That bitch will die after what she did to me. I haven’t decided what I’m gonna do with Deke just yet, but Demi will suffer before I end her miserable life.
“I tried to get them to kill her.” He shrugs. “But he wanted to protect her for some fucking reason. They all did. From me. Ever since Kellan shot Austin …” He waves a careless hand in the air. “No one trusts me anymore.”