“The defence can twist these stupid bruises into whatever sick fucking story they want. They’ll say that I liked it rough, that things got a little too out of hand.” I quickly wipe the tears from my eyes, remembering every sick word he said a couple days ago, “he’s right you know. No one is going to believe me over him, he’s an outstanding student, he’s the captain of a top university’s hockey team, he’s respected in the community…”
“He also has a big, rich, lawyer daddy” Steph finishes for me.
All it took was one google search to find everything about him, I’m screwed if I ever take him to court.
I hate him.
“Do the boys know?” Tash asks.
I shake my head, “Lucas walked in and stopped it that night. He thought I was trying to get back at him for…” Chris and Tash look at me confused, but Steph understands what I don’t say.
I’ve seen my best friend angry plenty of times, but the murder in her eyes is like nothing I’ve ever seen. Without another word… she walks out of the house.
twenty-nine
LUCAS
“Claire wouldn’t do that to us” Miller says, a note of finality to his voice.
I’ve spent the last couple days completely isolated, no hockey, no hanging out with my friends, and no contact with anyone outside of my room. Sickness still pools in my stomach as the events from Friday night replay in my mind over and over again.
“Yeah, shewould. I saw it with my own eyes guys, she was there –in bed with him– I don’t know what else to tell you. She did it to fucking spite me, that’s the worst part about all of this.” I mutter the last part to myself, knowing deep down I’m falling apart.
Blair looks at me confused, “what do you mean to spite you?”
The others stare at me, trying to read me while I figure out how to explain what happened the other night. “She tried to kiss me, and when I rejected her I guess she found the one person who could hurt me more than anyone else.”
“Wait, you rejected her?” Blair asks. When I give him a look, he just shrugs, “I assumed you were into her. I mean you’re always teasing her and shit.”
Annoyance bubbles up while I try not to roll my eyes at my best friend. I know I like her, but the fact that he could read me like that is irritating at best.
“To be completely honest we all thought that” August says, a small smile playing on his lips.
Groaning, I rest my face in the palms of my hands, “did everyone know how I felt before I did?” When nothing but silence follows, I look back up, every single one of my friends stare at me with massive grins on their faces. “Shut up, I hate you guys.”
“You’re into Claire,” Davis teases.
“And you’re forgetting she fucked someone else.”
August scratches the back of his neck, “I mean you did reject her…”
“You guys are so pig-headed,” Steph says from our entryway.
I jump at the sound of her voice, I didn’t hear her walk in. She looks pissed though, and angry Steph is the last thing I want to see. She may be small, but the fear that girl can put into a grown ass man is no joke.
“I came to talk some sense into Lucas, but it seems as though the rest of you need a fucking lashing as well.” Steam rolls off of her, and the energy in the entire room seems to shift. “Before you go making assumptions about what really happened, how about you get her side of the story. My best friend is in so much pain right now… but all you can think of is yourselves.”
My stomach twists as Steph takes calculated steps towards us, “I saw what I needed to” I tell her.
“You saw what you wanted to see, St. James. You missed everything else. My best friend was upset on her birthday, heartbroken and conflicted by her own emotions, don’t forget she’s human too. Not just the problem solving machine you all see her as.” August goes to stand up but she stops him, “come find me when you guys decide to do the right thing. Until then don’t fucking talk to me.”
She storms out of the house, and for the first time since meeting him, August shrinks into himself and starts to tear up. “I can’t lose her guys, she’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
Blair slaps a hand on my back, “is it possible there’s another side to this story?”
Shaking my head I stand up, “does it matter? I think I’ve lost her either way.”
* * *
