“You’re damn right it won’t. Next week is our game against Oakland High. Scouts will be here. The good ones. You need to play your very best.” He grabbed my shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “If anything, make me proud.”
I gave him a curt nod and threw my shirt over my head, and we both exited the locker room. Once I was out by my car, underneath the darkened sky scattered with nighttime stars, I stared out into the abyss. There is no room in your head for Hayley. Not tonight.
And just like that, I pushed her away and climbed in my car. I was going to Eric’s for my birthday, and after I brutally shamed Madeline for being a world-class bitch and a terrible human being, I was going to let go and have fun. I was getting back to the old version of myself—the one who didn’t allow himself to get preoccupied with the past.
Chapter Fifteen
Christian
Eric’s cabin was at full capacity. His parents had just as much money as my father did, so their lake cabin was bigger than most people's homes. His parents knew we used it as a party spot, and as long as we cleaned up the next day and things didn’t get broken, they didn’t give any fucks. Perks of having detached, wealthy parents.
When I walked in, the entire room full of people yelled “surprise” which was stupid considering it wasn’t a surprise party. Eric came out of the kitchen and yelled, “YEE HAW. The birthday boy is here! Time to drop your panties, girls.”
I rolled my eyes as a smirk inched its way onto my face. And not to my surprise, several girls appeared in front of me, lifting their shirts and flashing me their tits. I cocked an eyebrow, giving each girl an equal amount of attention, and then I sauntered off to the kitchen to grab a drink. Ollie was standing there with his back against the counter, wearing a black t-shirt. He was talking to Bristol, a pussy he often frequented when he was in between girls.
Once he saw me, he lifted his cheek. “Happy birthday, bro. Madeline is in the living room, waiting for you.”
My face twitched. Show time. I’ll teach her to fuck with Hayley and me.
My steps faltered as Hayley entered my mind. No, Madeline doesn’t fuck with me. She could fuck with Hayley anytime she wanted. I didn’t care.
Ollie whispered something in Bristol's ear, and before I knew it, she was going around and gathering everyone to follow me into the living room. Madeline was sitting on the couch, a drink in her hand, wearing a scandalous outfit that showed her flat midriff.
She was the shallowest person I knew. Vain. Mean. A liar. The only good thing about her was that she was always eager to please me, dropping to her knees without even asking her to. But just because she was good at sucking my dick, or we were compatible in the bedroom, that didn’t mean I’d humor her with this charade of being her date to prom or the king to her highness. She went too far for my liking. Lying about something like rape was dangerous and downright dirty. Didn’t Madeline know I hated liars?
“There’s the birthday boy,” she purred, sitting up a little taller. Her friends shrunk away as I inched closer. The room was hyped, music pouring from the speakers.
I wanted to put on a show and teach her a lesson. What she did was fucked up. And her friend who went along with it? I’d say she was just as much to blame, but I was 100% certain Madeline had blackmailed her into lying. That was how malicious she was.
Once I got in front of Madeline, she stood up and rose to her tiptoes, looking around the room to make sure all eyes were on us, and tried to kiss me. Right at the last second, I turned my head, and her lips landed on my jawline. She pulled back instantly with a gasp.
“Sorry, babe. I’m just not feeling you tonight.”
She paused, her fingers tightening around my bicep. “Um, what?”
The room quieted a bit, and someone had turned down the music. Ollie met my eye from across the room, and he grinned. People were muttering, clearly confused.
“You know,” I started, peeling her dirty fingers from around my arm. “I
was kind of feeling the hot tub tonight.”
Her face brightened, her pink lips splitting into a smile. “Yeah, it was reserved for us.” A long fingernail trailed the outline of my pecs, and I grabbed onto her hand and pushed it away.
I took a step back. “Actually, Madeline. It was reserved for me. And I don’t think I want you anywhere near me tonight.” I thought for a moment, glancing around the room, looking at our audience. “Or ever.”
This was like social murder for Madeline. Me openly striking her like this. But when you fucked with me, I fucked right back.
That was how I became respected at English Prep. Sure, having the money and last name helped matters, but putting those who did the wrong thing in their place gained me attention. It was the reason I was captain of the football team and why I had the headmaster in my pocket.
“Um, what?” she asked again nervously. The music was cut off completely now. Everyone was at the edge of their seats to hear what I was going to say.
I plucked the drink from her hand and brought it up to my lips, chugging the warm beer that swirled inside. Once I was finished, I handed her back the cup, and she took it with a wary expression on her face.
“See, when you said that Cole had tried to rape your friend, you knew I’d retaliate. Not only because it was Wellington Prep, but because that’s something I’d never stand for in any situation—Wellington Prep or not.” Madeline’s eyes narrowed as our friends started to whisper. Her eyes were saying, “Don’t you dare.” But did I ever. I took languid steps over to April, the girl that Madeline kicked off the cheer squad for cozying up to me a couple of weekends ago, because I knew that’d sting the most, and draped my arm over her dainty shoulder. “I heard that was all a lie. I heard Cole didn’t do the things you accused him of, but that you were wounded because he didn’t want anything to do with you when you tried spreading your legs for him.”
Madeline’s nostrils flared, and she started to shake her head so hard her blonde hair was flapping around her face. “That bitch. She’s lying.”
From underneath my arm, April spoke up.