Snapshot, p.14
Snapshot, page 14
He turns again, heading back out to the living room, and this time it’s my turn to ask him the hard questions. I get why he hates Reese. I don’t agree, but I know how Elijah thinks. What I don’t get is why he considers him a bad friend. As far as I know, Reese was always there for him. Even after their falling out.
“What happened between you two? And don’t tell me it’s because of Dad, because we both know that’s bullshit, E.”
His jaw clenches. “Drop it, Winnie. You won’t like the answer.”
“But if you tell me, then maybe I can understand why you hate him so much. Because right now, I can’t, Eli. It doesn’t make sense for you to blame him for Dad’s death when he wasn’t even in the car. Or that night between us. We were both there and, like it or not, I came onto him. So what is it? What happened?”
“You really want to know? You’re going to hate your friend.”
I roll my eyes at his condescending tone. I highly doubt anything he could say would make me hate Reese. “Go for it.”
And he does. He tells me everything. About the party they attended the night they came home for Thanksgiving break. How he had lost Reese at some point during the night, and how Zoey never came to bed with him. So the next morning, he went looking for her and found her naked in the place he never would have expected—in bed with Reese.
When Elijah is done telling me, I excuse myself to the shower, and he lets me go, no doubt sensing my desperate need to cry. Elijah hates crying—or any sort of emotion.
I didn’t think he was going to say something to actually make me hate Reese, but I was wrong. He knows I hate liars, and yet he lied right to my face, multiple times. I texted him that weekend, asking why he didn’t come home if Elijah did, and he said he was catching up on schoolwork when he was most likely across the road the entire time. Maybe even with Zoey.
That. Fucking. Blows. I don’t know if that’s worse, or that he lied about it yesterday. Why would he tell me he’s only ever been with me when it’s such a blatant lie? I didn’t want to ask if he had slept with anyone else because, truthfully, I didn’t care if he had. I was here now, so anyone after me the first time didn’t matter.
But he lied. And why? To protect me since he knows I hate her and that would be a line in the sand for me? Or to protect her?
Emma said they weren’t dating, even though Zoey said they were. But he didn’t push her away when she slipped her arm into his at the store. Maybe that doesn’t mean anything, but it’s all the small things that are jumping out now.
I’m such a fucking idiot for ever trusting him again.
Well, not anymore. I’ve cried over Reese Larson one too many times, and I refuse to do it again. After today.
I’m going to need the rest of the night to get it out, but come tomorrow, I’m moving on with my life, and I’m not looking back ever again.
Even if I am pregnant.
The talk with Laney left me feeling good. She made some good points about how Reese was obviously into me and how he would make a good dad, along with so much other bullshit that I left that bathroom truly believing that if I was several hours pregnant, it would be okay because Reese was a good man.
I could laugh. Does she know anything about him and Zoey? I’d think if she did, she would tell me instead of encouraging me to have a baby with him, in a roundabout way. If Reese and Zoey are some kind of weird fuck buddies, I want no part of that. I’m not getting with Zoey’s sloppy seconds, even if she would have gotten mine first. Unless he lied about losing his virginity that night too.
“Ugh.” I drop my head to the back of the shower. I really should have removed my clothes before I got in because I hate the feeling of wet clothes, but the water was cold when I stepped in, so it made sense to leave them on.
A knock raps on the bathroom door.
“Win?” Elijah asks. “You okay?”
No. I feel like my heart has been ripped out of my chest and stomped on right in front of my face. “Yeah.”
“I gotta piss. Can I come in?”
“Go ahead.”
Elijah does his business, and I wait to hear his zipper before pushing open the curtain. He looks down at me, a new kind of frown on his usual scowling face.
“I hate seeing you cry over such a dick.”
“I know.”
“Sawyer too. The next time I see him, I’m going to punch him.”
Poor Sawyer. Hopefully he doesn’t bump into Elijah anytime soon. Should I even feel bad? He probably knows all about Reese, Elijah, Zoey, and whoever else. I can’t help but feel like an idiot for trusting people I don’t even know so easily, but I guess that’s what happens when you make your first friends. A learning curve, I bet Mom would say.
“It’s fine.”
“It’s really not.” He flops down outside the tub and takes my hand in his rough one. “But it will be. I got you, and you got me, Win. That’s what’s important.”
I smile at my brother, and for the first time, it feels like old times again. Sucks it took getting my heart broken—again. But it’s nice to see a glimpse of my old brother, even if it’s only for a second.
“Get out and get changed. We can put on a movie and eat popcorn until we’re sick.”
“Can I pick the movie?”
He chuckles as he climbs to his feet. “Absolutely not.”
Yep, just like old times.
“Oh, Win,”—Elijah looks over his shoulder from the door—“never let someone lie to your face twice.” He says, using the same advice Dad used to tell us. Advice I never needed before now.
19
Reese
Flashback
I don’t think I ever want to drink again. Fuck, my head is swimming. My mouth tastes like cotton, and I could really use some water, but I don’t want to open my eyes because I know the morning light trying to pierce through my eyelids is going to hurt like a bitch when I do.
I reach a hand out, but instead of water, I touch something soft and warm. I bolt up, and through burning eyes, I look at the bed next to me. Dark hair drapes across the pillow.
There’s no memory of me talking to any girls last night, let alone falling into bed with one. The last thing I remember is playing foosball with my buddies, but there’s no denying there is a girl in bed next to me. Her back is bare, which isn’t a good sign. Running my hands down my body, I realize I’m naked too. That’s a really bad sign. Pushing the girl’s hair away, I jolt back.
I fucking know this girl, unfortunately.
My best friend’s girlfriend.
“Zoey.” I shove her shoulder before scrambling from the bed.
With a grumble, she flops onto her back. I look away, not only because I don’t want to see her tits but also because I need to find clothes and get to the bottom of whatever’s going on. I know I didn’t fuck his girlfriend. One, I would never do that to Elijah; he’s like my brother. But two, I can’t fucking stand the girl. Didn’t the first time I met her two years ago, and the feeling is the same today.
“Zoey.” I walk around the bed and shake her, still looking for my shorts. Yes! Finding them on the floor on her side, I ignore how bad that looks for my situation and step into them.
The door across the room flies open, and Elijah steps in.
“Bro.” He laughs at me, holding a hand up to block my dick as I finish tugging my shorts up. “Sleeping naked at someone else’s house is a little weird, ya know?”
I shoot a look at Zoey, who’s still asleep, and he follows my eyes before his round. “Holy shit. You had sex?” he whisper-shouts, probably trying not to wake the girl. The girl he has no idea is his girlfriend yet.
When he finds out…
As if she knew what I was thinking and wanted to make my life even worse than she already has, Zoey yawns and sits up, pushing her hair from her face. She smiles at me, and my stomach fucking rolls. “I had a good night last night.”
Fuck.
I wait for it to click with Elijah. He’s still staring, his face a mask of indifference as he takes in the scene in front of him.
“You fucked my girlfriend?”
Oh shit. I shake my head. I didn’t. I know I didn’t. “I know it looks bad, E. But I promise I didn’t fuck her—”
“Yes,” Zoey says with her head down and fake sadness in her tone. “I’m so sorry, Elijah. It just happened. We… we’ve been sneaking around behind your back for months.”
What? What the hell is this girl on?
“No the fuck we have—”
“Just tell him, Reese.” She stands, at least having the decency to wrap a sheet around her.
“E.” I turn for him, but it’s not the eyes of my best friend I meet. It’s the eyes of an enemy. Cold and distant, and I know he wants to punch me. I’ve seen this very same look on him more times than I can count, but it’s never been directed at me. “You know I would never.” I take a step toward him. “Especially after everything.”
He flinches. “Don’t fucking bring my dad up, you backstabbing piece of shit.”
“I didn’t fuck her! I fucking swear, Elijah. I know it looks bad, but I swear to God we didn’t.”
“Swear to whoever the fuck you want, but it doesn’t change shit. You woke up in bed with her, right?”
“Yes.” The answer tastes like acid in my mouth.
“Naked?” His jaw clenches. Mine does the same, and I nod because I can’t bear to mutter the words out loud.
“So tell me, Reese.” He spits my name like it’s dirt on his shoe. “If roles were reversed, what would you think?”
I say nothing because we both know the answer, and the answer sucks. I didn’t fuck her; I know I didn’t. I just need to get to the bottom of whatever the fuck is happening. How she got in here, and why I was naked. Why she was naked, because I refuse to believe it was sex.
“Thought so,” he mutters, a humorless laugh slipping past his lips. “Do me a favor and stay the fuck away from me.” He storms to the door and slams it behind him.
I stare at it for a long time. Too long. And by the time it hits me what just happened, the only thing I can hope is that he doesn’t tell Winnie. She’s mad at me for a very legit reason already; I can’t give her a second one. Especially when something isn’t right. I don’t sleep around. The last person I fucked was Winnie, and I planned to keep it that way until we fucked again.
And I hate Zoey. There’s not a single fucking chance I would ever take her to bed; sober or shitfaced.
Turning, I glare at her with a brand-new hatred, maybe more anger burning inside me than ever before, and I so badly want to hit something.
She eyes her nails, not an ounce of care that she just ripped my best friend’s heart out and stomped on it.
“I don’t know what actually happened last night, but when I find out, you’re going to regret ever coming between me and the people I love.”
She saunters my way and reaches a hand out, but I shove it away. She fakes a pout. “Pushy for the guy begging me to fuck him last night.”
I spit out a laugh. “Not in a million fucking years would I beg you to fuck me when I can have the best pussy around.”
Hurt slashes through her eyes, and she crosses her arms. “Who?”
I scoff and move across the room to find my shirt.
“Who is it, Reese?”
I’m not telling her it’s Winnie. She would only make her life more miserable than it already is.
I find my shirt and wallet, thank fuck. Opening it, I pull out the photo and stare down at it, wishing I could go back to that moment. I wouldn’t make so many fucking mistakes if I could.
Zoey sneaks up behind me and snatches the Polaroid from my hands. “Well, well, well. Look what we have here.”
“Give it back, Zoey.”
She pulls her arm away when I reach for it, and since the only thing covering her naked body is a sheet, I’m not going to fight her and risk it falling.
“Is Reese Larson fucking underage pussy?”
Technically, no. I Googled the age of consent—which is sixteen in this state, and since Winnie is sixteen…
Zoey doesn’t need to know that, though, so I keep my face unreadable. “Mind your fucking business, Zoey.”
“Oh, he is. Well, I have to admit. I thought you were a good boy. I’m a bit surprised.”
“You don’t know shit, Zoey.”
I reach for the photo again, and she lets me have it this time. I place it back into my wallet to keep it safe and then shove it into my pocket.
Carrying my shit, I head for the door. I need to get out of here. Before she pushes me to a point of no return. She might not care about what she just did to Elijah, but I do. I saw the last bit of life he was holding on to since his dad died dwindle, and it fucking scares me.
Things between us have already been rocky since everything with his dad, but now? I don’t know how we come back from this unless I can somehow prove we didn’t fuck. Which I don’t know how to do.
“And to think I thought I had to wait until I turned eighteen to get with you. Silly me.”
“Shut the fuck up,” I growl. “I haven’t admitted to anything.”
“You don’t have to say anything when I see the way you look at her. I saw the way you held her at her dad’s funeral. That’s not brotherly or friendly. It was love.”
I shoot a glare over my shoulder. “So I love her. That doesn’t prove anything?”
Her mouth gapes like she didn’t expect me to say that. I’ve always loved Winnie; that wouldn’t be a surprise to anyone close to us.
“Just watch your back, Reese. It only takes a small inkling in a cop’s ear about underage sex, and you know my mom’s husband is a deputy…”
I slam the door behind me because I don’t care to hear her threats. They don’t mean shit to me. I didn’t admit to anything, and no one knows about Winnie and me besides us. And I know she wouldn’t say anything even if Zoey is crazy enough to go to the police.
At least, I hope not, and if not, the scummy age-of-consent argument has my back.
Fuck, what a mess.
Elijah is probably home now, blabbing everything to her. I should go home and wait for the fucking police cars to line up my driveway, ready to carry me away and murder any future I planned.
20
Reese
A week of fucking agony. I knew the pit in my stomach when Winnie left my place wasn’t something I made up. Somehow, I knew something would happen and I wouldn’t see her again.
I just don’t know what changed, and it’s fucking killing me. I’ve texted her more times than I can count. I’ve called. I’ve sent flowers and other gifts to her place, but they get sent back every time.
I even considered going over there, but the last teddy bear I sent had its head cut off, and I know that was Elijah’s doing. He’s probably sitting at home, sharpening his pocket knife and waiting for me to show up so he can test it out. As much as I want to get to the bottom of whatever is going on, me getting stabbed isn’t going to get me anywhere but the hospital.
Maybe if I was in the hospital I could set her as my emergency contact, and then she would come see me.
Holy shit, I need to go outside.
The only time I’ve left the house this week was to take Eeyore on those walks Winnie told me he needed. As far as my teachers know, I’ve been “sick” all week. I’ve been so bored I even did the assignments they sent me.
My roommates are doing their best to not pay my bad mood attention, but I can tell my moping is getting on their nerves. I don’t know what else to do. I could drop by her class, though I don’t know her schedule. We didn’t get that far, but I do know what her Friday afternoon class is. I glance at the clock across my room. It’s nearly twelve thirty, so I have about an hour to get showered and head over. Which is something else I haven’t done and another reason my roommates are miserable. The smell isn’t pleasant, but it’s nowhere near as awful as the weight in my chest.
The worst part of this all is not knowing how to go about it. I don’t know what could have possibly happened after she left here that caused her to block me on everything. I tried sending her money through an app with messages telling her to unblock me so we could talk. But she never did, and I was losing too much money to continue if I want to be able to buy us a house one day.
“What’s that smell?” Schmidt sniffs into the air when I step into sight. He slaps Gavin's and Sawyer’s chests, making them do the same thing. “Did Reese finally wash his ass?”
“Funny,” I grumble on my way past.
“We’re just kidding, man. Where are you heading? Conditioning isn’t for another few hours.”
“Out.”
I catch them giving each other the side-eye.
“I gotta see her.” I allow the vulnerability to shine through for just a moment before I shut it back down.
Sawyer stands from the couch and wanders into the kitchen where I am. I’ve not eaten shit this week, but if I’m going to survive conditioning, I gotta get something in my system.
“You really wanna do that? After she ghosted you?”
These guys don’t get it. No one gets it. Winnie wouldn’t ghost me if there wasn’t a real reason—or something she thinks is a real reason, anyway. They think she ghosted me like I did her, and no matter how many times I tell them that’s not something Winnie would do, they don’t listen. Sure, the thought occurred to me, but Winnie doesn’t have a revengeful bone in her body. I saw the way she looked at me. I felt the love pour from her during sex, and I know when she kissed my cheek and promised to talk later, she meant it. So something had to have happened after she left.
“Elijah is her brother, and he hates me. It wouldn’t surprise me if he said something that made her do it.”
He blows out a long breath. “Is she really worth it, Reese?”
I whip around from the microwave, and he holds up his hands.
“Listen before you go all ‘Rapture’ on me.”
