“I…” I should have known he would say something like this, I’m still a little shocked. I take my bottom lip between my teeth. I know better, every single cell in my body is going off, blinking with a bright red sign telling me what a bad idea that would be. But if it’s my only option, I can take this stupid mark off my back…
“Worried? Afraid?” He feeds right into my fear like he has a direct line to it.
Do I admit that I’m afraid, or do I just let him think whatever he wants? After what he did to me the other day, I doubt he cares about me being scared of him, or his friends, then again, he seems to be a little more composed now, less angry.
“If I do this, come to your house and do whatever… will you leave me alone afterward?”
Amusement flickers in his chocolate-brown depths, and I don’t know why I’m trying to make a deal with the devil. “No, Willow. I won’t ever leave you alone. Not as long as you are here at this school. I don’t care how many times you apologize, nothing is going to erase what you did. You destroyed my brother’s life with your lie. You destroyed mine.”
“I didn’t lie—” The words get cut off when Parker slams his fist on the table, making me, and the people sitting in front of us jump. The professor, who has already entered the classroom, glances over to us but doesn’t say a word. Reminding me once again that no one is going to stand up to Parker.
I have the urge to get up and run out of the class, to leave Parker behind, and find someone to talk to. Trouble is, I have no one. Even Alice has been distancing herself from me.
Ever since I told her about what happened, she’s been avoiding me, going as far as staying somewhere else overnight instead of in our shared dorm room. I’m alone in this, completely alone. I never should’ve come here. Never.
“That’s the problem with you, Bradford girls. All you do is lie and manipulate and…” Parker is reaching his boiling point, lips curled, and the edges of his face hardened, making him appear more like a brooding statue. He’s a bomb, and I’m watching, waiting for him to detonate.
“Look, I’m sorry, Parker… I didn’t…”
Anger pours out of him, and I shiver at the image before me as he leans in, his face mere inches from my own. I can smell the mint on his breath, feel his anger as it charges the air.
“Shut up. I don’t want to hear you speak, or even breathe. As long as you remain here, you will be mine. I thought I made that clear the other day, or do I need to remind you again?”
I shake my head without even thinking. Being humiliated by him once was enough, but to go through it again. No, I won’t survive another incident like that. I’m already tired of being his punching bag. His nostrils flare, and his gaze hardens further. My own aggravation mixes with fear, and I realize then that I’m doing exactly what he told me to. Sinking further in my seat, I open my books up and face the front of the room, pretending like he’s not there at all.
“Good girl, now maybe later I’ll reward you. Or maybe I’ll punish you. Just remember to be seen and not heard.” And like a fucking dog who has just done a trick, he pats me on the head and settles into the seat beside me. I don’t know how I do it, but somehow, I manage to bite my tongue. As class goes on, doubt starts to build in my gut. When will I learn? When will I realize that no matter what I say to him, no matter what proof I have against Brett, he will never believe me? In his eyes, Ashton and I are to blame and not his brother. Forget apologizing to him. I’m done. I’ll just lay low from here on out.
I almost laugh at the thought. Like he’s going to let that happen. No, Parker is out to terrorize me, to hurt me. The professor starts class, and the temperature in the room grows hotter and hotter. Sitting this close makes it impossible to ignore him. His spicy scent, every little twitch of his jaw, or bulge of his bicep. I notice it all. Feel it all. Deep down in my core.
He leans over as I try and focus on whatever it is the professor is saying. “Are you thinking about it?” He chuckles. “My fingers in your pussy? What it would feel like to have my cock there instead?”
No. Yes. “No. I’d rather nail my hand to the wall than sleep with you.”
“I can make that happen too if you’re into that kind of thing. Although, nailing your hand to anything seems a little extreme. I think we should start by tying you to the bed, then work ourselves up from there…”
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” I snap, my voice way louder than I intended it to be. My cheeks warm, my entire body feeling as if it’s reached its boiling point.
Someone clears their throat, and when I look up, I realize it was the professor, who is still looking at me with an annoyed expression on his face. I just can’t catch a break. What is this insanity? Does he really own this school and all the people in it? I guess so.
Whispers spread across the room, and when I look around, I realize everyone is looking at me. Some sneer, while others just stare in horror. I feel like I’m the freak at the carnival that everyone’s come to see. Pressure builds behind my eyes, and I know if I don’t calm down right now, I’m going to start crying.
Breathe, Willow, breathe.
You can do this. Think of your sister. Think of all she’s been through. She won’t get better if she doesn’t have you. The thoughts help soothe the ache forming in my chest, and just as I’m becoming somewhat composed again, Parker leans in. “You still haven’t learned your place.” His voice is low and raspy as he continues whispering into my ear. “Let me remind you… since you’ve forgotten. It’s on your knees, in front of me… naked, with my dick in your mouth. That’s where you belong and where you will be right after this class. I’m done waiting. If I have to, I’ll just take it from you...”
That’s the last straw… I can’t handle anymore. If it’s not my father, it’s Parker, and if it’s not them, then it’s Ashton. I’m slowly drowning, and the people around me see it, yet they keep putting rocks in my pockets, making me sink deeper and deeper.
“You know what I’m done with?” I reply, anger finally boiling over. “You! I’m done with you and your games.” Furiously, I shut my books, the noise draws the attention of the rest of the room, but who cares, it doesn’t matter. They were all laughing at me before. What’s another show? Shoving out of my chair, I don’t even bother to pack up my stuff. I just grab my bag and my phone and walk out of the room.
Fuck him, fuck this school, and fuck my dad.
8
Parker
I sit on a bench outside, tapping my pencil against the bind of my English textbook. I’m supposed to be studying, but the sun is setting, I wish the light were my excuse, but honestly, I just can’t stop thinking about her. About my next move.
I dial Alice’s number knowing once she’s gone from the situation, I’ll have Willow all to myself. The phone rings twice before she picks up. “Hello,” her apprehensive voice comes through the line.
“Alice, it’s Parker again. Did you do what I asked you to do?”
“Yes, I moved out this morning, but I don’t understand why you wanted me to do this.” The worry in her voice would be a concern if I gave a fuck, but I don’t.