RAMSAY.

The Homecoming planning went well. In fact, though I wasn’t going to let Gem know, I was kinda glad she dragged me into doing it. Literally.

I’d forgotten how I used to enjoy doing stuff like this at Cedra. It’d been so long ago. Before—yeah. Before life happened.

Even Kira wasn't bad. She wasn't the typical mean girl, though I'm sure she had it in her, but for now her, Ciara, Leanne, and some others had been cool to myself and Gem.

That was why I was considering going to Kira's house for a shindig on Thursday night. It was supposed to be low-key and Gem was salivating over going.

I was torn.

A part of me wanted to say no to all parties or anything like it, but then I had to stop myself. Because why not?

This wasn’t Cedra.

This was a new start. A new life. And hello, I was still in high school.

Socializing was normal and healthy.

Another part of me was automatically going to say no unless my cousins were going, which is what I started to say when I found out the triplets had to stay home. Clint said a family meeting was called, which by itself wasn’t worrying but considering I'd found out about my uncle’s affair and hadn't told my cousins yet . . . I was worried.

I’d been waiting for the right time to tell them to present itself, but then Aunt Aileen called me and asked me not to say anything. She wanted the boys to hear it from her. I couldn’t argue with that so I was kinda wondering if that was going to happen Thursday night because my cousins were not known for missing parties.

That left me at the same place I was at: to go or not to go.

Then Gem dropped the mic when she said, "Theresa’s mortal enemies with those guys, but I’m not. And I’ve always wanted to go to one of Kira’s parties. It doesn’t matter if it’s a small thing or a rager. I just want to go. Once. And before you, I’ve never had a friend outside of Theresa’s group. They all do what she wants, but not in a bad way. They’re just showing respect, but that’s the thing. Theresa was friends with Kira in elementary school and she always talked about how fun Kira can be. I want to go. I know it’s stupid and silly, and probably something you’d never understand but—”

“I’ll go.” I gave in. Totally just bent my knees, put my hands in front of me, and I dove into my capitulation. If that was a thing? If not, I was making it because that was how fast I surrendered.

And so, there I was, attending a Thursday night party, which was easy because my mom was working the evening shift.

We got a ride from another of Gem’s cousins.

Kira’s house was big, gated, and metallic. Everything looked as if it were made out of metal or cement, and I was sure it would’ve looked great in a magazine. For me, I preferred our house with a yard, and one day I was hoping to talk my mom into getting a dog. Everyone had different tastes. To each their own, but when we went in, no way was this a small event.

Thirty people were inside, with music blaring.

“Hey! Hi! You’re here.” Kira ran over wearing a swimsuit and a see-through wrap. She had large hoop earrings, her hair pulled back, and her makeup looked professionally done. “Guess what? Omg. Scout came. I can’t believe it. He never comes to these things. Hi, Gem.” She squeezed my arm, then reached to squeeze Gem’s.

When she leaned over to hug Gem, that was when I smelled the booze. It was also when I saw all the alcohol on the kitchen island. The entire counter was covered in alcohol, mixers, glasses, and anything needed to go with it like salt or limes. I frowned at the skittles.

A burst of laughter sounded from a sitting room where people were standing and sitting on a bunch of couches. Or no, there was a television mounted on the wall above. They were playing a video game.

“Scout’s here?” Gem asked breathlessly, taking everything in as Kira stepped back.

“Yep. He showed up ten minutes ago with Cohen, but I don’t know where they went. Probably downstairs. I think an MMA fight is on the television, so everyone who wants to be cool with Scout is down there with him.”

Cool with Scout. That was a thing?

“Come.” She grabbed Gem’s hand, pulling her to the kitchen.

Ciara and Leanne were there, both looking a little buzzed. “Hi!” Ciara waved.

Leanne started laughing and had to turn away to keep it under control.

Gem’s grin slipped, and yeah. Here I was, being stupid again because I laughed, “You know those movies with the mean girls and how they’re all nice and buttering you up before they embarrass you but you always get the revenge in the end?” My smile went flat as all three stared at me. “This is feeling like the beginning of one of those scenes, but that would be so cliche and lame. Right? You guys aren’t lame, are you?”

Leanne choked on her drink while Ciara’s eyes bulged out.

Kira forced out a laugh. “Why would we do that? You’re cousins with our friends.”

I eased back. “Right. That’s true.” And that was it. I held their gazes then, letting my slight threat, which was vague but still totally a threat, hang in the air between us.

“Jesus, Williams.” Scout moved in behind me, and I sucked in my breath because damn it, I hadn’t felt him at all. I’d started to be able to feel him lately. He went to reach for the bourbon. His gaze was cold and mocking as he poured it into his glass. “Maybe wait a full month of being here before making more enemies? Just a thought.”

Kira brightened. “Scout! When’s your next fight? I want to make sure I go.”

He ignored her, sipping his drink and heading past me. His arm brushed against mine.

A wave of tingles spread through me from that touch, and I had to inhale slowly before exhaling to let those sensations ease out of me. He had too much power over me, way too much.

Another laugh sounded behind me, but this one didn’t send my alarms going.

Kira snapped, “What, Cohen?”

He moved so he was standing next to me, his drink still mostly full, and he swirled it around. “You know, I came to get into your pants tonight, but I’m thinking maybe I should focus elsewhere.” He sidled closer but didn’t touch me. He didn’t need to. The whole movement was an insinuation, and that was when I saw the mean girl in Kira. She’d been veiling it the whole week on the committee, but I’d felt it sidling earlier, and I saw it now. She cocked her head to the side, her tone nasty, “Don’t even, Cohen. She’s the Maroney triplets’ cousin. They’ll ice you out in a heartbeat if you touch her.”

Well. I didn’t know how I felt about that, but I was kinda enjoying hearing the insecurity in her tone.

I decided to let it play out. I wasn’t going to wade in or say anything. I wanted to see what else would be said about me, in front of me.

My surprise? It was Gem who took care of it.

“Forget Clint, Trenton, and Alex.” Gem picked up a glass of something that I was hoping was okay to drink and took a sip. She didn’t make a disgusted face, so I figured it was fine, but she did smile, almost cockily at Cohen. “You touch my new friend, and you’ll have me to deal with. Don’t forget. I have your mother on speed dial.”

He swore in Spanish, before breaking out in a laugh. “And you’d totally call her. But don’t worry, little Gem. I’ve got no plans to hit on your friend. Too many people would mess me up.” He went over to her, hooking an arm around her neck, and pretended to mess her hair up. As he did, he gave me a wink, and I knew then that the whole thing was a charade. I just didn’t know why. Either way, I relaxed enough and took a drink when Kira offered me one.

“We’re not that bad.”

I was on a couch in the living room, buzzed, and Gem was flirting with a guy in the corner. I liked seeing that. It made me happy that we’d come, but I shifted a little as Kira sat by me.

Half the people had already left, but there was still a good amount partying. And I’d been too paranoid earlier because nothing mean or bad happened. It’d been truly a party with people drinking, laughing, talking, and flirting. No humiliation scene had happened.

I said as much to Kira, then added, “I’m sorry for thinking that.”

Her eyes grew thoughtful. “Alex wouldn’t say why you left your last school or really anything. I’m guessing something happened back there?”

I nodded, my neck stiffening. “Yeah. Something.”

“You don’t need to worry about me.”

I was beginning to believe her. “How long have you known my cousins?”

She glanced over her shoulder, and I knew where she was looking. She’d been looking there all night long. It’s where Scout was sitting, talking with Cohen and a girl, who was obviously into Scout. Kira had been over there half the night too, but both guys were ignoring her and I wouldn’t stick around if that was my treatment either. “Can we talk about Scout instead?”

I was back to being tense. Guarded. “Sure. Though, I don’t know the kid so I can’t say much.”

Her eyes locked on mine, studying me. “He vouched for you in the cafeteria. That’s big for Scout. He only vouches for Cohen, Cohen’s sister, and Alex. That’s it.”

I shook my head. “I don’t know what to tell you. He’s not my friend.”

Her eyes narrowed. She sat back, and it was as if she released whatever she’d been looking for. She sighed, crossing her arms over her chest. “I don’t get him. He moved here last year, and I had such a massive crush on him, but it’s like I’m nothing to him. I usually get what I want, you know?” She grimaced. “That made me sound cocky. I’m not like that, but I just don’t understand. Cohen wants me or he did until something I said tonight pissed him off, now he wants nothing to do with me.”

“Are you after Cohen or Scout?”

“Scout is first preference, but he’s become unattainable. He doesn’t mess with any girls in school. It’s girls in his fighting world. I know a few of them from Pine Valley who he’s hooked up with. There’s one that’s more regular than the others, and she’s a massive bitch. No one in our school. But, yes, Cohen too. I mean, Cohen’s hot. I thought he was coming here for me tonight. Now look at him, he’s all over that girl.”

I looked without wanting to, but I still felt pulled because I felt the prickling on the back of my neck. I was right. Scout was watching me, and he wasn’t hiding it. And while he was watching us, the girl who was almost sitting on Cohen’s lap was watching him. The wistfulness was there. I saw it in her eyes before she masked it, smiling at something Cohen said to her.

“She’s so stupid. Cohen just wants in her pants, and because of that look she just gave his best friend, he’ll fuck her and then dump her.” Kira huffed, turning around and settling back into the couch. She rolled her eyes. “Guys are all the same. Just wanting sex.”

I frowned, hearing her bitterness seep out.

My phone started buzzing, and I stood, saying, “It’s probably my mom.”

Kira nodded, pouting and not giving me another look as I left.

I headed down the hallway, pulling the phone out.

I was right. It was a number from her nursing home.

I answered it right as I got to the back bedroom. People had been going upstairs or downstairs to hook up, so I was certain it was empty.

My hand found the doorknob when I realized it wasn’t a call. The screen switched and I saw a picture of my dad there.

He was on the ground. His face swollen. Blood all over him. His eyes were so beaten that I could barely see them, and his skin was an unhealthy pallor.

Pain sliced through me. The room began to swim around me, and I tried to grab hold of the doorknob, but then I didn’t care because it was my dad. I was seeing my dad. I was seeing him—I was choking.

I was going down.

My knees shook. I saw flashing lights. It had happened enough to me over the last year. I knew the precursors, and this time, I couldn’t stop it.

Then firm arms came around me and carried me down a hallway.

“What?”

“Relax. Not going to do shit to you.”

That was Scout. Scout was carrying me.

A door opened. Someone else was there.

“Cohen, cover us,” I heard Scout tell Cohen.

“Got it.”

A door was being opened, then shut. Then water was on.

“Wha—”

He didn’t answer, plucking my phone out of my hands. He ran his hands down my pants.

“What are you doing?”

I got that question out right before he straightened and placed a hand on my chest. He pushed me back, right under the shower spray. It was freezing cold, and I gasped, surging toward him. “What are you doing?”

He shoved me back, adjusting the water so it’d get warm.

“You dick!”

He held me against the shower wall until the water started warming.

I stilled, letting it drench me, only then realizing he’d been checking to see if I had anything in my pockets.

My shoes—no. I had sandals. They were fine.

My clothes were drenched. My hair.

My makeup would be wiped away.

When he saw I wasn’t struggling anymore, he removed his hand and raised it to lean against the top of the sliding door. “It’s the only thing that stops you from going into shock. You gotta think clearly if you’re going to handle whatever was on your phone.”

I grimaced, feeling slapped. But he was right.

I hated that.

“What do you know about this shit?”

His eyes cooled. “More than you might think.” His eyes narrowed. “You thinking more clearly?”

Damn him, but I was.

The result was a good one, a needed one, but I didn’t appreciate his delivery. I shared this sentiment with him as he reached for the door handle.

He chuckled, leaving. “I’ll keep that in consideration for the next time you’re about to have a freak out at fucking Kira Huerl’s party.” He opened the door. “I’ll be out here while you do whatever you need to.”

He shut the door.

God.

My dad.

The picture.

Scout was right.

I couldn’t think about it, remember it, though—goddamn it. It was burned in my head.

This was serious.

Max had texted me. The number was local, and I had no idea how he did that, but he did. It was from him. I’d have to tell my mom—no. I wouldn’t. She handled this for me last year. I knew the ropes. I knew the channels. I’d handle it myself this time.

I’d call the police, let the detective know, and go from there, but I already knew what would happen. Nothing. Max would lie, say it wasn’t him, but he and I both knew the truth.

Dad.

God.

I missed him so much.

No, no, no. Searing pain and shame and guilt and—it was all mixing together, rising, threatening to choke me.

Scout. I’d focus on him.

I could do that.

He’d push it away. He’d make me forget.

Scout Raiden.

I hated him, but fuck, I wanted him.

And he’d put me here. Soaking wet.

I gritted my teeth, turned off the shower, and stepped out. Reaching for a towel, I grabbed it right as the door opened. Scout was inside before I could do anything. The music from the party was blasting behind him.

“Wha—”

He was in. The door shut, and he turned to face me.

The room shrank.

The air electrified.

It was him, glaring at me. I was remembering how he looked at his fight. How he’d looked at me as I’d looked back at him. All hot and sultry, and I had to gulp to deal with the need rippling through me. He’d be a perfect distraction. Push everything away. The bad feelings. The trauma. The hate. The guilt. The sadness. The feeling that I should be the one—I licked my lips, moving toward him, when he said, “Give me your clothes.”

“What?”

His teeth were bared. His eyes were so hard. “Your clothes. Strip.”

I clutched the towel tighter. “Why?”

“Cohen’s covering for us, but your friend is outside. She’ll throw your clothes in a dryer before we take off.”

“Can’t she find me new clothes? Dry clothes?”

“Kira’s room is busy.”

Oh. OH! “I thought Cohen wanted to hook up with her.”

“He changed his mind. Her feelings got hurt. She found another guy to make her feel better.” The way he said it, so casual and careless, made it clear he didn’t give one shit about Kira.

I tucked my chin down. “Why are you doing this for me?”

He didn’t answer.

I looked back.

Those eyes were still on me, looking so harsh. “Alex is still one of my best friends. Don’t get a big head. Doing this for him.”

Right. Yeah. That made sense.

I shivered from the coldness of his tone.

“Your clothes, Ramsay,” he growled again, impatient.

“Turn around.”

He made another grunt, but turned.

I took my clothes off as fast as I could and wrapped the towel back around me. Balling the clothes up, I pressed them to Scout’s hand. He took them, opened the door, and handed them through. “Make it fast,” he said to whoever was out there, probably Gem.

He took my arm and dragged me from the bathroom and into the bedroom he’d been in before.

“What—”

“Chill.” He walked to the bed, flicking a look over his shoulder to me. Everything about him was tight and controlled, almost annoyed. He sank down, his phone in his hand. “Not going to jump you or interrogate you. Do not give one fuck why you were going catatonic.” And with that, he turned his attention to his phone.

I was frozen just inside the door, holding my towel together. A few minutes later, I realized he meant what he said. My body started to relax, just a little, and the text came back to my mind.

I couldn’t shake it.

I’d fallen apart before. I’d been strong, then I’d fallen apart, and I couldn’t keep falling apart. Not here. Not in a new school. Not where my cousins went to school. I had family here. I wasn’t alone.

I closed my eyes a moment.

“I can’t believe you’re doing this to Max. You’re such a slut.”

“Waste of space.”

“I’d fuck her, but I ain’t going to trial for that piece.”

Male laughter.

Female laughter.

The whispers.

The snide comments.

The openly asshole comments.

Then the threats.

The names written on my locker.

The letters. The notes. The spit wads. The shoving. The tripping. The elbows in my body as I walked by, as they walked by, as I was just standing there. The tweets. The DMs. All the ways to get at me, they’d done it.

Max Prestige came from a long line of Prestiges who ran Cedra Valley. I’d learned the hard way how untouchable my boyfriend was.

I’d thought I’d left that behind, but here it came again.

Take two, motherfucker.

“The clothes will be a bit. You should sit.”

I jerked out of my thoughts, seeing Scout watching me. He’d put his phone away, but the coldness from before was fading. A darker, warmer look was coming over him as his eyes tracked my body. All the way down. All the way up. Going slow.

Finding my mouth.

Staying there.

The need from earlier washed over me again. I knew my body. Knew it was only reacting to him because he could give me what I was craving, those moments where I felt good, where I could escape the past.

Moments hidden.

But, God, what an asshole to be the one who could give that to me.

I clenched my teeth before moving to the far corner of the room. I sank down, keeping the towel around me and all the important bits covered.

“Thanks for helping me.”

He didn’t reply.

“I’m surprised you did,” I added.

He rolled his eyes. “Already told you, did it for Alex. Don’t make it a thing.” His eyes narrowed on me. “Though, full cards on the table. I don’t like you. You know I don’t like you.”

I laughed because, damn. “I don’t like you either.”

He grunted, a faint grin on his lips. “I’m aware. You wanted to tear me apart on the first day.”

That was true.

“But you’re hot,” he added, matter-of-factly. “I’m laying it out right here, right now. If the chance popped up, I’d pound you. I’d be down for that. Full on. I’d do it rough, and I’d do you in a way that’d have you screaming for release.”

I shook my head, my insides a full inferno.

I started to say something, a retort, but he stopped me. “Don’t. You want me too. I can tell. Could tell at the fight. All the fake shit that happens, I’m not fake. I like that we’re honest with each other. I don’t like you, but I want to fuck you. You know where I stand. I’m not trying to hit on you or be crude in any way. I just felt you should get some straight-up truth.”

I didn’t question him or claim otherwise. With his looks, where he was, where he was going, he wasn’t dumb. He knew when a girl was hot for him.

I remarked, “Nice knowing where we both stand.”