“I need clothes.” I push at Apollo’s chest, but he doesn't move. “Apollo.”
“Fine,” he groans, rolling off of me. I go in search of the clothes he gave me when I got out of the bath. I find them all on the floor next to the bed and hurry to put them on. “It’s just my dad.”
“Should I hide in the closet or something?” I’m beginning to panic.
“Celeste, I’m not hiding you.” He gives me a look like I’ve lost my mind. He steps close to the door, listening to whatever is being said. I tiptoe over and do the same.
“Oh my god, it’s my mom,” I mouth, recognizing her voice instantly. Apollo nods his head.
“Don’t play stupid, Anna. You’re far from it,” Mr. Crew says. “I’m not stupid either. I know who you are.”
Apollo looks confused.
“Good for you, Rory. Did you learn anything interesting?” Mom almost sounds bored, but I know she’s hesitant. Her tone is off.
“Besides the fact that you and Celeste are con artists? The Binx girls go across the country robbing fools and cheating men?”
“You’re one of those fools, Rory.”
Apollo’s face goes pale, and then it hardens as his eyes stay locked with mine. “Is that true?” he asks, not hiding that we’re snooping anymore. My mom and his dad have to hear us if we can hear them.
“Kind of?” I’ve never really been a part of my mom's games, but I knew when they were happening.
“You knew your mom was working my father over?” he asks, his eyes sharpening, and I nod.
“It’s not what you think,” I rush to explain, but he’s not having it.
He puts his hand up to stop me from telling him more, then runs his hand through his hair. He turns away from me, and the sight of him giving me his back burns. My stomach tightens as dread builds inside of me.
“This is all a con?” he mutters before he spins back around. “Are you even on birth control? Is that what this is? You’re trying to trap me.”
I gasp, feeling like he might as well have slapped me. I’m so shocked by his question I don’t answer him, and he stares at me for a long moment, waiting for my answer.
“Fuck you.” I finally get out when I can form words. Words I don’t think I’ve never said to anyone in my entire life.
“I’m pretty sure you fucked me,” he spits, and before I know what’s happening my hand is in motion.
The slap is loud in the large room, and my palm instantly stings.
“Celeste,” my mom calls, and the door shakes as she tries to open it.
“Leave us alone,” Apollo shouts, his cheek blooming red.
“Oh, I’m definitely going to leave you alone,” I hiss, grabbing the handle of the door so the lock pops.
The door swings open, and my mom steps into the room. She’s all dolled up, but her dress is wrinkled like she’s been rolling around in it. Mom never crossed that line when it came to a con.
“Can we leave?” I blurt out quickly.
“Yes,” my mom says as both of the Crew men say “No.”
Why the hell would they want us to stay? Oh god, they’re going to call the cops. I need to get out of here now. I rush over back to the side of the bed and find my small handbag.
“We’re not done,” Apollo says as he steps in front of me.
“We’re more than done.” I fight back the tears.
I push past him to make my escape, and my mom grabs my hand. Rory looks as though he’s going to do the same as he and Apollo step in front of us, but Mom turns her glare on him, and he backs away.
“This isn't over,” he tells her, running his hand through his hair. I glance back at the two of them, and at this moment they look so much alike.
“You’re right,” my mom says, her voice dripping with anger. “I’m taking your car, and you can pick it up tomorrow. Then it will be over.” She says it dismissively, but I swear I see some other emotion cross her face before she hides it. The only reason I even caught it is because I know her better than anyone else.
“Celeste, can you just wait a fucking second?” Apollo says, sounding panicked now. He probably wants to talk about the morning-after pill or something. I hadn't lied. I’m on birth control, but I’m not going to stand here and defend myself.
Mom is already pulling me along, and I glance back over my shoulder to see Rory keeping Apollo from chasing after me. What’s the point? So he can hurl more insults my way? I don’t think I could bear it. Each one was a punch to my heart. Had he not felt what we had? How can he question this? I swipe away the tears as I get into the car.
“I’m so sorry, honey,” Mom says as we pull down the long driveway.
“It doesn't matter. I got to see his true colors,” I sniffle.
She reaches over and takes my hand again, reminding me that it’s always her and me against the world.
I should have known better. I could never be a part of Apollo’s world. At least now I don’t want to be.
* * *
Prom Queen
by Alexa Riley
Celeste has gotten her heart broken by the man she loves…but can she truly let him go? Maybe there’s room for forgiveness as long as all his secrets are revealed.
Apollo is ready to do anything to win her back, including sacrificing all that he’s worked for. He’ll wait for as long as it takes, but he’s not going anywhere.
Warning: Does teenage angst always turn into a happily ever after? In Craven Cove it does!
Chapter One
Celeste
I stand at the back of the ferry watching the sun rise over the mainland. As we get farther and farther away from it, I try not to think about the cool wind biting at my cheeks. We’re on our way back to the island, and my stomach tightens. It was only last week that I wanted Craven Cove to be somewhere I could settle down and start a new journey in life. Now I’m dreading being back there. I will myself not to cry because I’ve done enough of it at this point. I will not shed any more tears over Apollo. I let his cruel words play on repeat to remind myself he’s not worth crying over. Too bad my heart doesn't agree with my head.
After my mom and I left both of the Crew men behind, we went home. Mom got the bright idea for us to get away for a few days, so we’d hurriedly packed and caught the next ferry off the island. We stayed at a fancy hotel for the entire week, ordering room service and binge-watching movies.
I learned quickly that it didn’t matter how much space I put between Apollo and myself, the heartache I felt didn’t lessen. I couldn't stop thinking about him, and it didn’t help that every time I shifted, I could still feel what we'd done between my legs. Even in my dreams he wouldn’t leave. There’s no escaping him.
“I got an email that your new phone will be delivered sometime today.” Mom comes to stand beside me, offering me a coffee. I take it from her hand and down almost half of it in one big gulp. I’m not a morning person, and today we got up at six so I could make it back to school on time. I’ve already missed too much, and it’s too early in the year to miss any more.