“What’s not to get? Parker has me by the fucking balls. End of story.”
“I know you’re telling the truth, so don’t take this the wrong way, but things still don’t add up,” Joss points out. “Like, how the hell did she end up with video footage of you and Blue? Was she planning that the whole time? Then again, I guess that doesn’t make sense, because you didn’t even know Blue was coming to your room.”
Joss is mostly rambling to herself now, trying to make sense of things. But lucky for her, Parker’s cocky ass answered most of these questions for me last night. Without hesitation, actually. Seemed she wanted to rub in the fact that she somehow managed to pull this whole thing off, and that there isn’t shit I can do about it.
“She screen-recorded a fucking video call,” I grumble, finally answering. “She stopped at the dresser on her way out of the room while I was busy talking to Southside. She set us up without me even realizing.”
Just thinking about how simple it all was, I’m pissed all over again. A few small tweaks to how things went down that night and I wouldn’t even be in this mess.
If only I’d thought to keep an eye on Parker while she got her shit out of my room.
If only my phone hadn’t been on silent when she called me from her line to connect us by video.
If I hadn’t been so fucking naïve, none of this would’ve happened.
“So, she just wanted to know what would go down after she left the room?”
“Fuck if I know,” I answer with a shrug. “Whatever the case, we gave her a shit-ton more than access to our conversation. She ended up with everything she’d need to humiliate Southside and ruin me. Once that footage made it into Pandora’s hands, it was a wrap.”
“All of this just to break you and Blue apart, then break you down completely,” Joss concludes.
I nod because she’s exactly right. Either with this footage being out there, or if Parker decides to snitch about the stuff involving Casey, I can probably kiss football goodbye next year.
In disbelief, Joss shakes her head. “Bitch is crazier than I thought.”
I nod, agreeing. “And I’m the fucking idiot who gave her everything she needs to burn my future to the ground.”
“You couldn’t have known she’d go this far,” Joss comments, trying to make me feel better, I guess.
“Maybe not, but I’m pretty sure putting her ass out when Southside showed up made the decision to share that shit pretty easy.”
I sound bitter as hell, revisiting how things played out that night.
“Has Casey maybe tried calling? You know, since the video’s been put out there?” Joss asks reluctantly. “She still asks about you, so I thought she might’ve checked in.”
My stomach knots, hearing that my name still comes up in conversation.
“No,” I answer with a sigh. “And she probably won’t. Not if she remembers admitting all that to Parker. We had a pact, and she went against it.”
I’m not pissed about that part. Alcohol’s made me do dumb shit in the past, too, but a warning would’ve been nice. At least then I could’ve dealt with Parker head-on, created some type of buffer to keep her from gaining the upper hand.
Joss is quiet and I can hear her wheels turning.
“So, you can’t tell Blue,” she finally understands. “You’d have to explain why Parker can never be named, and bring the Casey thing to light.”
I feel sick to my stomach because everything Joss just said is true. I can’t name Parker or clear my name, but I’m nowhere near content just leaving things like they are. My focus should be on trying to fly under Parker’s radar, but instead, I’m thinking of ways I can fix at least part of what she’s destroyed. Without somehow triggering her to detonate.
Good luck with that, dickhead.
“I’m gonna talk to her.” I purposely blurt the statement before I can talk myself into realizing it’s a terrible idea.
“Who? Blue?” I don’t miss the shock in Joss’s voice. It means she sees this is a shitty idea just like I do. Hell, it’s a longshot that Southside will even let me get close enough to speak.
“You sure that’s a good idea?” Joss adds when I fail to answer her first question.
“Actually, I’m almost certain it’s a terrible fucking idea, but I have to do something. I can’t just let her believe…”
I stop there, feeling and thinking things I never feel or think.
Joss’s eyes are glued to me and I already know what she’s going to say before she even says it.
“You like her, don’t you? I mean, like, really like her.”
I roll my eyes, knowing she’s going to run with this like a dog with a bone.
“Chill. I just don’t want the girl thinking I’m Satan.”
“But … wasn’t that your entire goal when she first got to CP? Now, all of a sudden, you don’t want her looking at you like you’re a monster?”
She flashes a grin and I want to kick my own ass for talking so much.
“Drop it,” I warn, but it’s too late. Her whole damn face lights up, like it’s Christmas morning.
“Oh, God.”
“I’m right! I knew it!” she screeches. I can practically see hearts in her eyes now.
I say nothing, because whatever leaves my mouth will only give her more ideas. Next thing I know, she’ll be talking about love, puppies, and flowers, which I can’t stomach. Instead, I breathe deep and relax in my seat, more than aware of still being stuck between a rock and a hard place.
“You’re right,” Joss speaks up. “If you like her as much as I think you do, you can’t just let this go, but… what’s your plan?”
And there it is. The million-dollar question. Because as it stands, with one fell swoop, Parker’s labeled me a heartless dick who’d post shit like a private sex tape online. The worst part is, Southside has no reason to believe I wouldn’t have done it.
Which will make it a thousand times harder to get through to her, but Joss is right.
I do care.
How the fuck did I let this happen?
@QweenPandora: Looks like someone spotted KingMidas and VirginVixen hitting blocks tonight. Is the King just blowing off a little steam? Or is it possible he’s combing the streets in search of NewGirl? I, for one, am still not convinced our QB is guilty, but the rest of you certainly are. I will admit, though, things don’t look good for him.
Either way, I’m willing to bet NewGirl is doing everything in her power to forget she gave in to one-third of everyone’s fave trio. Pretty sure SeXyBeAsT is quite good at making a girl forget all types of things, but you didn’t hear that from me.
Later, peeps.
—P
Chapter 3
BLUE
It’s so cliché, but it got me here—the age-old adage about how important it is to ‘get right back on the horse after falling and busting your ass’.
Those very words came from Jules in a text at midnight. They were enough to make me drag myself out of bed this morning; enough that I’m currently walking the halls of Cypress Prep, pretending the whispers don’t affect me.