“What cake?” Garrett replies, focusing on the screen and raising a metal whisk to his mouth. Shifting forward, I see the mixing bowl full of mix in his lap, Axel with the other whisk in his hand and Avery leaning over to take a spoonful. Who the fuck…just, ew and…. why?
“Fucking barbarians, the lot of you.” Avery’s giggle reaches my ears as I’m about to turn away, the sound so pure and light. I hadn’t released how much I’d missed it, needed it. My heart hitches in the hopes that small glimpse of joy was directed at me. I crave to put a smile on her face that never wavers, cause laughter to spill from her lips as easily as breathing. I know in this moment I can’t leave the mansion until she’s found happiness in her life again. I’ll take online courses, I’ll attend night school to make up the lost time, but for now I’m staying right here.
Rolling my shoulders back, despite aching to join their home cinema set-up, I stride straight back into the gym and shove my hands into a pair of red boxing gloves. Throwing my fist into the punching bag in the far corner, I hop on my toes, ducking and swinging with a new sense of determination.
“What are you doing? Come and join us.” Huxley catches my wrist as I swing back, halting my movements with a surprising amount of strength. In fact, his whole body looks broader, his chest filling a white t-shirt and his biceps straining against the short sleeves.
“What’s it look like? It’s not just you that needs to bulk up.” Huxley sighs deeply, his blonde waves having grown enough to almost lie on his chest.
“But this isn’t you. You don’t use your fists or rely on violence. Out of everyone here, you need to keep a level head.” I grunt, shoving him back a step and continue my assault on the punching bag.
“Yeah well, look how far that’s gotten me. Avery hates me, my brothers think I’m unable to help. I have to do something.” This time Huxley moves to stand in front of me, blocking my access to the punching bag and challenging me with his brown eyes.
“Then make it something worthwhile, go to Avery. Don’t let her leave until you’ve patched things up. When she got back from her place, don’t think it went unnoticed how she sought you out first. Whether she admits it to herself or not, she misses and needs you.” He looks so sure; I wonder if Avery has said as much to him. If there is a chance I can fix our fragile relationship. But even as I think about it, I know she will never be able to forgive me for the things I’ve done, no matter what the outcome is.
“She doesn’t need me, she needs Meg. And I’m going to do everything I can to save them both.”
Meg
Wyatt’s snores aren’t the only reason I’ve laid awake watching him sleep beside me. He hadn’t even managed to find the sleeping bag in his drunk state last night, collapsing in the middle of the floor instead. I unzipped the outside and dragged it across us in a makeshift blanket and lifted his head so he could use the pillow. He’ll have enough to regret with his killer of a hangover when he wakes without the added strain of a neck injury. I know it’s foolish and that only his inebriated state brought him down here, but I can’t deny how good his warm embrace felt against my skin. Maybe it’s just been too long since I’ve had human contact. Or maybe…
Stopping that train of thought at the station and switching off the engine, my eyes flutter to the door, a flicker of hope igniting within me. I’d been so stupidly caught up on my feelings, I’d momentarily forgotten the fate that awaits me here. I need to stop being ridiculous. If I remain here, I’m doomed to die by poisoning. This isn’t the time to add Stockholm syndrome to the list, I need a plan and I need it now. Wyatt is on his side facing me, his hot breath mixed with hints of whiskey fanning my face. The answer I’ve been looking for is right in front of me, hidden in the safety of his pants. No, not his dick you slut – although I wouldn’t say no, but the key!
Smoothing my fingers across the stones separating us, I reach beneath the blanket for his jeans. My hand lands on his waist and I gently reach down to feel out the groove of his pocket. The denim is rough beneath my fingertips, the curve I was hunting for presenting itself to me. Wyatt’s hand abruptly shoots between us and grips my wrist tightly, his eyes flying open with a snarl.
“What are you doing?” he growls, the confusion in his gaze clear as he takes in his surroundings. Well damn, no backing out now.
“What do you think?” Ignoring the painfully tight grip on my wrist, I reach forward for his belt buckle and flutter my eyelashes at him. He remains still, not pulling me in but not pushing me away either. Conflict pulls at his features, his morning glory shifting beneath my fingers and making me smile. Whether he’ll admit it or not, I affect him and that will be my ticket out of here. Shoving me onto my back roughly, he suddenly stands with a slight sway and backs towards the door as if I might pounce on him. Keeping my smirk firmly in place, I stand and wait for his next move.
“Why would I ever lower myself to be with you when I could have anyone I want?” he grits through his teeth, the lie evident by the bulge in his jeans but his words hurt nevertheless. “I’ll sooner have a few ribs removed and suck myself off than let you near me.”
Closing
