See No Evil (Brotherhood Trilogy #1)(10)

“You’re gonna tell on me too?” I look at him skeptically, then scoff and raise my hands. “Okay, that’s fine. If you complain loud enough he might move you. I’m pretty sure there’s one single room left in the senior dorms.” I lift my index finger. “Yeah, it’s the one next to Ivan’s. You know, the guy who just beat your ass to the ground. Mr. Spitball?”

His skin drains of color, his rosy lips turning a pale white.

Rosy lips?

Seriously, what is wrong with me?

I hide my unbidden thoughts behind a cocky smile and decide to lay it on as thick as I can.

“Yeah, I’m pretty sure he uses that empty room as a spank bank.”

Chris’s face wrinkles with confusion.

Seriously? He doesn’t know what a spank bank is?

Who is this guy?

I layer on another level of explanation to drive my point home and avoid strike three at all costs. “You know…” I include hand gestures to help the guy out. “He sneaks in there after lights out for a midnight jerk off.”

His lips pull into a disgusted frown.

Yeah, right, like he’s never done it.

“Anyway. That’s why no one’s stupid enough to take the room. I mean, we all enjoy it, right? But most of us get the girls over at Schuster High or Williams Academy to give us a hand.” I wink. “But not Ivan. That guy is an independent soul…or just incredibly grotesque to the female population. Probably the most likely reason.” I shrug.

Chris bites his lips together like he’s fighting a grin. Glancing away from me, he wipes his puffy top lip with the back of his hand and mumbles, “Fine, I’ll keep my mouth shut. But just get out, okay?”

Something about his dejected expression keeps me from taking my stuff. I’ll get it later. Right now, I just want to leave him alone to deal with whatever demons are haunting him.

Deep, I know.

But I’ve seen that look before.

I don’t know why he’s really here. I’m wondering if that fluff story I heard about him transferring for a better education is true.

He’s seen something that’s scared him.

I can tell by the look in his eyes.

I know that look.

I still see it sometimes…in the mirror.





#7:

Pity Party in the Shower Stall



Christiana



“Christiana!” Uncle Marco’s voice is loud and sharp.

I jump away from Robbie, my nostril’s flaring with shame. My moist lips glisten. I can still taste Robbie’s tongue.

My giggle has disappeared though. Dried up by one shout of my name.

“W-what are you doing here?” I want to sound strong and indignant, but my voice wobbles. It always wobbles around him. I hate that.

His eyes narrow, and my insides knot as he walks closer. His shoes are loud in the empty parking lot.

“You are supposed to be home by now.”

“You’re not my babysitter.” I pull my shoulders back.

His eyes snap away from my face, lingering over my cleavage. I lose courage, slumping my shoulders and trying to make the deep V in my top less slutty.

Robbie’s hand rests on my shoulder, capturing my long hair as he squeezes me against him. “Who is this guy?”

His bravado shrivels as my uncle draws near. There’s always been something about him that unnerves me. He’s not physically intimidating, but he gives off this vibe that makes you want to wet yourself. I shouldn’t feel that way around him. But I do.

He should be someone I can trust.

I hate that I can’t.

“Roberto Candella?” he asks.

Robbie’s fingers grip my shoulder, like I can somehow give him the strength to face off against this guy.

“We’re not doing anything wrong,” I snap.

“He’s got his hands on you.” His dark glare burns through my fight. “His tongue was in your mouth.”

The contempt and disgust is so blatantly obvious.

“It was a kiss…and it was delicious.” My last flare of defiance before he destroys everything.

Snatching my arm, he yanks me away from Robbie. “Get home,” he seethes. “Leave now and I won’t tell Daddy Dearest what a filthy slut you are.”

I pound his arm for release, throwing him a venomous glare.

“Stop! Don’t hurt her!” Robbie cries. “It’s okay, Ana.” His voice softens to sweet perfume, wafting towards me, taking the sting out of this ugly end to our evening. “You go home. We’ll catch up later.”

His sweet smile melts my heart. He’s always so kind.

My expression crumples with apology and he shakes his head and gives me a little wink.

“Start walking.” I’m shoved away by the devil, my heel catching on the concrete. I right myself against the trunk of Robbie’s car and glance back.

Robbie’s glaring at Uncle Marco, who seems unfazed.

He’s staring at me, his dark eyes telling me to hurry it up. “Move.”

I make a face, letting him know how much I hate him in this moment. Then I turn to Robbie, my voice soft and sweet. “I’ll see you later.”

He mouths a goodbye and winks at me again, pulling the keys from his jacket pocket.