“I know,” Mom says, walking toward me. “I got a dreadful fright when I saw him too,” she adds, mistaking my horror for shocked sympathy. She attempts to drape her arm around my shoulder, but I duck out of her embrace, shaking myself out of my terrified stupor.
“Get out!” I snap at Wes, rage pummeling my insides. The absolute nerve of him to show up here. But I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.
“Emily!” Mom instantly chastises me. “That is no way to speak to Weston! Especially when he came here to ask for your help.”
“Help with what?” Barely holding onto the contents of my stomach, I step into the room but keep my distance from the asshole as he stands.
“I know you’re angry because I stood you up Saturday night,” he smoothly lies. “But I can explain. I was jumped by a bunch of football players in an alley on my way to meet you. Ended up in the hospital with a concussion and a few broken ribs.”
His face is a smorgasbord of mottled bruises and cuts, and he’s hunched over in obvious pain. I make a mental note to properly thank Adam the next time I see him for working him over so thoroughly. Although, there’s a part of me now wishing he had pushed him over the balcony in the hotel room. And I feel zero remorse for having such thoughts.
I snort. “Unbelievable.”
“Emily!” Mom interjects, moving over to Wes’s side. “You’re being rude.”
“I don’t care.”
“Are you pissed because you’re worried it might be that football player you’ve been seeing?” Wes says, acting all wide-eyed and innocent.
“What?” Dad’s bark has me jumping a couple feet in the air. He stalks into the room, sucking up all the oxygen with each heavy stride. “What football player?”
“There is no football player.” I cross my arms, and glare at Wes. “Wes is just trying to cause trouble. As usual.” I narrow my eyes at him. “And if he persists, he’ll find out it won’t work to his advantage either.” He seems to have forgotten we have the tape of him and his friends drugging and assaulting me. If he turns on Adam, or me, he will also be exposing himself because then there is nothing stopping us from releasing that tape.
“I don’t know what’s going on here, but this is no way to treat a guest in our house.” Mom is purple in the face, and I know there’ll be hell to pay for this later. But I don’t care. I’m not letting Wes blackmail me anymore. I would rather live on the streets than put up with this until I graduate. Or worse, be forced into marrying the asshole.
“Just so we’re clear, Mother.” I level her with a solemn look. “I hate him. He is nothing like you think, and he is no friend of mine. I won’t be coerced into helping him or dating him or having anything to do with him. You won’t believe me. I already know that. Throw me out of the house and off campus if you want, but I am done with Wes.”
I step right up to her, fists clenching and adrenaline pumping through my veins. “If he shows up here again and you let him in, I will have no choice but to do something that will ruin your reputation forever. We both know you don’t want that, so for once.Can you at least be on my side!!” I scream that last statement.
“How dare you speak to me like that!” Stinging pain lances across my cheek as she slaps me. Wes chuckles, and I lunge at him, but strong arms haul me back.
“I think it’s time for you to leave,” Dad says to Wes, keeping me locked firmly in his embrace.
“I think your daughter will regret speaking to me like this.” Menace filters through Wes’s tone as he slyly threatens me.
“That sounds like a threat,” Dad replies, his voice cold as ice. “For your sake, I hope it’s not.”
Wes clears his throat and smooths his features into a neutral line. “I apologize, sir. I let my emotions get the better of me. I would never hurt Emily.” He pins me with a look loaded with intent. “All I’ve ever tried to do is love her, but she continuously knocks me back.”
“I’m sure your girlfriend would love to hear that,” I hiss. “And I’ve heard enough of your bullshit. Get the hell out of my house.”
“This ismyhouse.” Mom positions herself in between Dad and me and Wes. “And I’ll determine who stays and who goes.” She levels me with a warning look.
“Last I checked, my name is on the lease too,” Dad says. “And if we want to be technical, it’s the university’s house.” He lowers his tone. “I won’t ask you again, Weston. You need to leave.”
“I’m going.” He lifts his palms in a conciliatory gesture. “I only came to ask for your and Emily’s help in identifying my assailants.”
His meaning is obvious. Dad drops his arms, shoving me behind him as he steps up to Wes. “I don’t take kindly to unsubstantiated claims against my players or veiled threats so be very careful what you say next, son.”
“If I was you, Coach”—Wes puts his face all up in Dad’s, not disguising the smug arrogance ghosting over his features—“I’d take a long, hard look at the guys you seem willing to go to war for.” He shoots me a sly look. “I think you’ll find not all of them are worthy of your loyalty.”
He pushes past us, leveling a lethal look in my direction before exiting the room. I flop down onto the couch in grateful relief when the door slams, signaling Satan has left the building.
“How dare you!” Mom seethes, prodding her finger in Dad’s chest. “How dare you embarrass me like that in front of Veronica and Anthony Blakely’s son!! You know they are one of the university’s biggest benefactors!”
“You think I give a shit about that!” Dad shouts, swiveling around and pointing at me. “Open your eyes, woman! Your daughter was shaking at the sight of him!” It’s only as he says it that I realize my entire body is trembling.
The couch dips as Dad sits down. “Princess.” He cups my face. “You need to tell me what’s going on.”
