AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Carson seems to forget that while he can hide behind his well known last name, so can they. It’s the whole reason we all even know each other in the first place, powerful families bringing together their powerful next generation. It’s only by other small circumstances that I grew closer to the guys and not other children from our group, it’s just how it happened.
The dean assured us nothing else like this would happen again and I had to force myself not to laugh at that, it seems I am the only one awaiting the next form of punishment from the guys. Especially given how Carson is all smiles and cuddles right now as we flow with the crowd towards the stadium for the game. His behavior makes me more nervous than his real personality. I hate the fakeness, the lies, the anticipation of waiting for the next time he snaps, of what he will do to me when he does. But still I smile, hold onto his arm like I can’t bear to be away from him, and pretend I don’t feel the anxiety and fear curling in the pit of my stomach as we walk side by side.
That anxiety only gets worse as we get closer and I spy all four people I am doing everything in my power to protect. Ashton is the first to spot me, hanging back from the other three as they seem to be arguing. Zaiden is already dressed in his game gear and is gesturing wildly and pointing in Eli’s face as Hudson hangs onto his shoulder, his own gear in place, nodding along with whatever he is saying. Whatever Elias is saying, he doesn’t look too happy about it, but it’s cut short when Hudson locks eyes with me and announces my presence.
All four of them look my way now and I watch as Zaiden’s face morphs into a sneer when his stare drops to my arm around Carson’s. When Carson notices them, his grip on me tightens possessively, yet still more affectionate than I am used to, like he really believes he has won something. Like I actually mean something to him other than just a prized possession. Or maybe that he just wants me to fall for that lie as much as others already have.
Ashton moves closer to the other three and I find him flicking his eyes between Eli and I, looking for answers to whatever he thinks happened the other day I’m sure. Good luck to him because even I don’t know. Eli is watching me, studying me, like he is trying to uncover every secret I’ve ever held while flicking his gaze down to where Carson and I are connected.
They shouldn’t be here, I mean not waiting around here at least. The game doesn’t start for another thirty minutes, but still, at least Zaiden and Hudson should be on the field or in the locker room already, not out here plotting whatever they are going to do next. I’ve never been able to see them like this before a game, they’re always too busy with the team in the hours before.
I swallow thickly, concern radiating out from my core over what could be worth the possibility of getting in trouble with their coaches. I keep my gaze on Elias as he watches us close the distance between us, but it’s Hudson that finally calls out to us.
“If it isn’t our favorite little cheerleader. Isn’t this a nice surprise, boys?” His voice is dripping in sarcasm and I can’t help but flinch at the old nickname he uses.
It’s weird seeing him in BSU colors, I got so used to him and Zaiden wearing our high school colors, that seeing them both now in something new with snarls on their faces widens the distance between us even more.
“Yeah, didn’t know you had time to fit us into your busy schedule,” Zaiden drawls, making an overtly sexual gesture with his hand and mouth. “We’ve heard you are quite the performer.” His tone is glacial as he flicks his eyes to Carson and winks at him with nothing but pure malice. There is no friendly mask of friendship in place, nothing but pure psychotic rage. Something I haven’t seen since that night, something I never thought I’d see again, at least not directed my way.
“Fuck off, Hollis!” Carson snaps, anger pouring off him in waves. “We aren’t here to see you, we are just here to support BSU and the team. Shouldn’t you be inside sucking each other's dicks?”
Hudson snorts a laugh, knocking Z’s shoulder and ignoring Carson’s last remark. “He gets the team includes us, right?” They all laugh and I want to laugh too, I almost do, but I can feel Carson’s anger and know I would pay dearly if I even dared.
“Just get the fuck out of our way, Davenport, before I call the coach and report you.” Carson’s threat lingers in the air, a threat we all know he would follow through on. They know he’s a snake, they just think I became one with him. When they don’t budge, he moves to push through them.
“No can do, my friend,” Z purrs, ignoring him completely and staring me down like a lion does a gazelle. “No professor’s whores allowed.”
I feel the second Carson snaps, the second he moves, he’s fast, but I’m faster, I block his way, pushing against him with everything I have, willing him to stop. “Carson, stop, it’s fine. I don’t care.” I keep the shake out of my voice by some miracle and I actually sound completely unaffected.
He’s panting as he glares at each of them but my only focus is him, I have to diffuse this situation before it gets any worse, for my own sake more than theirs. When he finally looks my way I force a smile to my face. “Honestly, babe, I have no interest in football, you know how boring I find it. Why don’t you go and have fun with your friends.”
I pray the sick lies are enough to satisfy him, and when he sneers I know I’ve said enough at least in front of them to make this right. Another crack forms in my heart as I watch both Hudson’s and Zaide's faces fall at my comment about football. It isn’t true. Not at all. I love watching them play. Have missed it. But what’s one more lie when I’m already drowning in them? Each new one is just another drop in the ocean that I’ve forced between us. At this point, the more distance, the better for all of us.
His arms curl around me as he softens. “Are you sure, Darling?” His affectionate name for me feels even dirtier than normal as it rolls off his tongue and lands between the six of us.
I’m already nodding. “Of course, there are a thousand places I’d rather be.” I push my hand up his chest and wrap it around his neck in a way a real girlfriend would and he smirks bringing his own hand up to caress my cheek.
Zaiden curses under his breath but Elias silences him with one word, commanding him and Hudson to get inside to prepare for the game. The urge to watch them leave is stronger than anything I have ever felt. I was looking forward to today. I wanted to watch them play, to cheer for them, and pretend that everything was like it used to be, but it’s not, it never will be again.
I keep my eyes smiling up at Carson as I feel Elias bring his attention back to us.
“Take your little girlfriend home, Crawford, she isn't welcome here.” His words cut through me, such poisonous lips that delivered the best kiss I’ve ever had, now cut me down with tainted words I thought I’d never hear him say.
I take a deep breath before I turn and glare at him with disdain. “It’s fine, Elias. You win. I’m not coming inside.” His eyes flare when I say that and I feel heat rush through me as I pretend I am not replaying our kiss, and I think he is doing the same. Even the use of his full name is deterring the heat that now burns between us.
Of course Carson takes that opportunity to ruin it as he leans in and loudly whispers, “Why don’t you go and wait in my bed, Darling? We can play our own games later.” His words are delivered smoothly and flirty for the benefit of the guys, but the pinch he digs into the back of my arm lets me know how serious he is. I grimace at the look on Elias’ and Ash’s faces before turning and smiling up at my boyfriend. Fear and dread build in my gut, making it roil so hard my vision starts to blur as the feelings ratchet through me, making it hard to breathe.
“Sounds great, I’ll see you later.” I force the words out and don’t even wait for a response, I just push past him as quickly as I can and make my way into the crowd of fans all moving in the opposite direction to me.
Sadness, guilt and fear all mix together inside of me as I try to tell myself this is for the best. I should be staying away from them, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t excited to have a reason to see them today, but apparently they had other plans.
Carson’s threat lingers in the back of my mind. He wants me in his bed. After what he did the other day, I can only imagine what he has planned next. I want to scream, to run, to do something that isn’t just submitting to him, but when I glance back I see Ashton still lingering by the entrance watching me, guilt consumes me. For him, for them, that’s what I am doing this for. They did the unspeakable for me, so now I must endure it for them.
But how can I do this without them? How can I protect them?
I’m standing in a crowd of people and I have never felt so alone.
When I make it back to the edge of campus, I pause and weigh my options. If I am going to do this, if I am going to live through the night with Carson, then I need to make sure I am prepared. My hands shake as flashes of the other day assault my memory. Of the force he used to get his way, the venom is his tone as he took what he wanted, the glee in his glare as he stared down at me.
