“Yeah, yeah, yeah. I get it, I do. But would it be so bad? It’s not like it’s never gonna come out? The longer you wait, the bigger of a deal it’s gonna be.”
“That’s not true. The press will hound me if they find out now. Ask me how I feel, how he’s doing, and how’s it gonna look when I answer? ’Cause honestly, I don’t care.”
“I’m sure that’s not true. Even if you have a bad relationship, I’m sure you care.”
I’m done arguing with Amie. She’s doesn’t get it. She’s not going to get it. The boisterous laughter and chatter from the guys as they board the bus perks my attention. “I don’t. Look, Amie. I need to go.”
“We’ll talk about this soon.”
No. We won’t. I end the call and toss my cell on the bed. It’s useless to argue with her, and tonight I don’t have it in me. I can’t believe my mother called her! The intrusion on my business and my career fuels my anger as I pull out a pair of shorts and a worn sweatshirt, laying them on the bed. I don’t want to ponder what’ll happen when everyone finds out who I am. Or rather, who my father is. Another way for him to ruin anything good in my life.
A knock at the door startles me. “Hey Lex! We’re dining in. Come out if you’re hungry,” Sean calls through the door as the bus lurches forward.
Food. Smack talk. Yeah, that’s what I need to put this crappy day behind me. My stomach rumbles in agreement. Dropping the towel, I pull on my favorite red satin cami and search through the drawers to find the matching panties. I know I had them. They weren’t sacrificed in the original ambush.
The roar of laughter from the kitchen draws my gaze from the dresser drawers, and my teeth grate together.
They wouldn’t dare.
More laugher.
They would, those fuckers. I yank on my shorts over my bare ass, and my feet carry me out to the idiots shoveling food into their jabbering mouths. My anger is a simmering flame but it fuels a wildfire when their silent gawking stares catch sight of my glare. My hands go to my hips and I drop my voice to a growl. “Okay, who did it?”
I raise my eyebrow and tap my foot at their shocked expressions.That’s right, I’m not letting it slide this time. Not after everything that’s gone down in the last twenty-four hours. Being sick. Sleeping next to Trent. Wing Challenge. My guard is starting to drop around these guys, damn it. Dangerously so. They were conning me into believing they actually cared. But no, I’m just another joke to them. My jaw ticks but they still don’t say a damn word.
“Real fucking funny, guys! But you can give them back to me now.” I hold out my hand and wait, studying each set of eyes to determine who will cave. Austin’s widen to unnatural proportions; Sean’s, too. Iz has a glassy look—he’s high and no help. But it’s Trent’s I settle on when I step forward. They’re the least innocent of the batch, and his nostrils flare before he takes a gulp of whatever was in his mouth.
“What are you talking about, Lexi?” He tilts his chin, his gaze lowers a beat, and it’s then I realize they’re all gawking at my boobs, my nipples hard against the cool fabric of my thin top.
“My panties!” I cross my arms across my breasts and shoot them all another glare before I stomp back to my room. “Never mind! Fucking assholes.”
“Somebody must be closing in on her time of the month.”
“Fuck you, Austin,” I shout, slam the door behind me, and bite down on my lip so hard my ring digs into the flesh. I want to kick something. I want to scream. I want my damn red panties. I sniffle as wetness pools in my eyes and I squeeze my lids shut because damn it, I don’t want to cry.
A soft rap at the door causes my eyes to open. One tear slides down the right side of my face.
“Lexi?” It’s Trent.
“Just go away.” I have every intention of staying angry, but all the energy leaves my body with a few more tears.
“Can I—” He clears his throat with a cough. “Can I please come in?”
I should tell him no, to go away, to fuck off, but my hand betrays any good decision making and reaches for the lock. I twist it slowly, thinking of the giant body pillow waiting on the opposite side of this door. How, if I were different, I’d grab his arm and pull him inside, and make him sleep next to me again. Ask him to hold me until this stupid day is over and I find rest. Only I’m not different. I’m just me.
“What do you want?” I crack the door, leaving just enough space that I can see.
His gaze finds mine and his eyes widen. “Are you crying?”
“No,” I snap, sniffling and wiping my face with the back of my hand. “I’m still sick.”
His gaze drops to the floor, his bare feet exposed. Feet should be ugly. Gross. Especially man feet, but his are long and perfect. Just like his tongue. Probably like the rest of him.
Damn it.
“We didn’t steal your panties. I pinky swear, but I can see how you’d come to that conclusion.”
Desolation mixed with disappointment and a feeling I can’t quite explain or reason settles heavy on my shoulders so I shut my eyes. “Whatever. I don’t even care. Is that all you wanted?” A few more tears escape.
