I stayed with my mom. Not that I had a choice. My dad was nowhere to be found. Can’t really live with a parent when they’re jet-setting around the world with their shiny new toy. Not that I cared. I was over both my parents and their antics. I just wanted to finish school and be gone. Leave this shitty town and never look back.
That was my plan—until I fucked everything up. Or she did. No one’s hands were clean anymore.
The memories suck me under. By the time I resurface, the moon is high in the sky. I missed dinner again. When I get home, Mom is pissed. William acts worried, but he doesn’t even know me. Why would he care?
“Are you okay, kiddo? Where have you been?”
“None of your business.” I barely feel my toes as I kick off my boots and start up the stairs.
Mom catches the back of my shirt and tugs me back, almost causing me to slip. “Where the hell do you think you’re going? You apologize.” I whip around in time for her hand to sweep across my face. “You will show him some respect.”
“Olivia, please.” William tries to intervene.
We stare at one another with a look of disgust, but for our own reasons. “It’s okay, William. I’m used to it. Mom’s specialty when she’s feeling insecure.” She glares back at me, a fire lit in her eyes, her hand trembling, itching to slap me again.
Spinning around, I run up the stairs and lock myself in my room, wiping away tears as I try my dad for the millionth time. Straight to voicemail. Again. Where are you, Dad? I cry softly into my pillow.
I need to find a way out of here.
Chapter 4
Catalina
“Just like that. Listen to the sweet sounds your body is making for me. So ripe. So beautiful. Tell us you want more. Beg for more—”
I wake up in a pool of sweat, my entire body tingling. I still feel his hands on me—their hands on me. Kenneth constantly occupies my dreams. I don’t know why. He takes me to levels I’ve fantasized about since that night. Maybe it’s because he was the last person I shared a connection with. But this time, he wasn’t alone. And I allowed them both to touch me. Feel me. Have me… There’s no logical reason why the asshole is suddenly invading my dreams. I’d rather break his fingers than allow him any pleasure from me. It’s just my subconscious warning me that I’m headed down the wrong path again.
I get up and gather my things, in major need of a shower. I turn the bathroom doorknob, but it won’t give. Locked. I stamp my foot and huff in frustration. I debate banging on the door and telling William’s son to hurry up. A door creaks down the hall, and I take off back to my room. Showering at school isn’t the worst idea. Having to wait for William’s son to get out of the shower and have a mindless conversation might be.
I wait for the footsteps to disappear, then grab clothes and my school bag and sneak out the front door. When I make it outside, I curse my idea. It has to be twenty degrees colder than yesterday. “I seriously hate winters,” I grumble. Sucking in an icy breath, I start my long trek to school. By the time I make it, I’m an icicle. I took a risk knowing there was a chance the doors would be locked and get lucky when I sneak through the unlocked door of the teachers’ entrance.
The hallways are dark, and I’m grateful for the peace and quiet. I sneak into the girl’s locker room, sighing in relief when it’s empty. Get in, get clean, get out. Quickly discarding my clothes on the bench by my locker, I run into the shower and bask in the hot water. The steam surrounds me, and it takes a few seconds before I finally start feeling my frozen limbs. My eyes close, and I allow the water to run down my face, imagining it taking away all the wicked thoughts wreaking havoc in my mind. I envision the water cleansing me of my past and all my bad decisions. The sorrow of my childhood. It also wipes clean my present. The hell I’ve been forced into because no one loves me enough to truly care about my well-being. The confusing feelings creating a dark path to my future. Shit, I wish I could wash that away too. My future doesn’t end in college and happiness. Mr. Gibson doesn’t need to waste his time.
Losing track of time, I quickly wash my hair. When I shut the water off, I reach out, realizing I forgot to grab a towel. “Shit.” It’s still quiet, so I take off through the showers and down the aisle toward the locker where I dropped my stuff, screaming as I collide with someone.
“Jesus, Cat, calm down.” I look up, my eyes reaching his. “What are you doing in—oh God, why are you naked?”
I stare up at Mr. Gibson, until I remember he’s holding me and how much I don’t have on. I pull back and snatch my towel. “Why the hell are you in the girls’ locker room?” I snap “You’re not allowed to be in here.”
He steps back. “Well, technically, neither are you. It’s before school hours.”
“Yeah, well…I…it doesn’t matter. It’s still the girls’ locker room.”
“Yeah, and last I checked, I’m the girls swim coach. I’m allowed to go through here to get to the coach's office before and after school hours. What’s your excuse?” His eyes are dark and challenging. He wants an answer I’m not going to give him. His gaze becomes strained, and I know damn well he’s fighting to keep eye contact with me.
“I needed to shower, and we kind of have a full house and one bathroom. It’s just a one-time thing. No big deal.” He gazes down at me the same way he did yesterday. He doesn’t back away, so I go on. “What, do you want to call my mommy and daddy and ask? Let them know you found me naked and wanted to know why? My mom’s number is—”
“Jesus, no. Just…you’re not allowed in here before school hours. I don’t even know how you got in here but…don’t make a habit out of this.” He walks away without further argument, and I stand, frozen, until I hear the locker room door open and slam shut.
Physics is awkward as fuck. Mr. Gibson is in a mood. His back is to the class as he slams his marker against the whiteboard, sketching equations. He’s writing so fast I’m having trouble keeping up as I scribble in my notepad. He finishes the formula and gives us his attention, his savage-like eyes searching around the room until they land on me. The way he singles me out makes me uncomfortable. I drop my head to my notebook and pretend to study the equation. I don’t know how many times I redo the formula, hoping he’s lost interest in me and has moved on to another student. When I finally look up, he still stands at the front of the room, his piercing stare directed at me.
Why is he doing this? I should have never engaged with him. The girl sitting next to me raises her hand, breaking his hold. Wrinkles form around his eyes as he’s forced to assist her. A short sigh of relief falls from my lips as I sit back in my chair.
That’s when I feel him.
His warm breath as he leans forward. At first, he doesn’t say anything, just allows the sound of his breathing to chip away at me. I tell myself to sit up and avoid the problem altogether, but my stubbornness doesn’t allow it. He’s doing this to mess with me, and he’s not going to win. I act unfazed, even though something as simple as his breathing is awaking a swarm of butterflies in my belly. Time starts to move like molasses. Trying to focus is impossible. I swear the clock has stopped moving. Just when I think this class could not be any more intolerable, the asshole leans closer and starts humming just loud enough for me to hear. He taps his pencil on his desk, and I squeeze my eyes shut, hating the way his deep voice filters through my ears. I try hard to ignore him, but it becomes too much. Breaking my resolve, I twist in my chair.