Chapter 27: Chapter twenty seven

Drayton

This was a big mistake.

My grip tightened on the wheel as I watched Arielle walk into the party. It's been minutes since she stepped out of the car but her scent was still everywhere. Vanilla and something that clearly spells damnation.

This was wrong.

I've made a long list of mistakes today. The first was driving her to school. Then, holding her while she cried. I wasn't a good person. I hated tears.

But seeing her that way, I couldn't think straight and did the first thing that came to my mind. It was that stupid emotion that led me to do what I did to Charles tonight.

Arielle would definitely not forgive me if she heard about it, he was her father after all, but I didn't care. I didn't do it for her. I just couldn't stand the cruelty of the man.

The anger I'd felt in that moment and the satisfaction as I watched the car burned wasn't because of her either. It had always been like that. I've never been able to stand anyone hurting her.

That was my job alone.

I never planned to attend this party. Not because I wasn't invited. Caleb was part of the basketball team, I was among the first he invited before he made the post in the class group chat.

Everyone knew Arielle and I completed for who hosted the first school year's party since freshmen year. But after the past few months, getting the year's glory didn't seem that important.

Just as the sight of her in my car shouldn't be so important.

I didn't find Arielle attractive. Sure, she isn't bad looking, but I've never thought of her as beautiful before.

But when she removed that huge coat earlier, I debated turning the car around and taking her back home.

I tried, I really tried not to glance at her while she was applying her makeup, but I couldn't help it.

It had taken every last of my restraint not to stare as she dabbed that red lipstick on her lips.

I couldn't stop that image that took form in my head at the sight of those plump lips.

I took a deep breath and shook my head, trying to clear my mind of those thoughts. But her scent, still fresh in the car, wasn't helping.

This is going to be a long and hard night. And I meant that literally.

Thankfully, the one thing a party can guarantee is a good fuck.

I hadn't taken anyone to bed in months. This was the longest time I've ever gone without sex. That's probably the only reason I'd be having these thoughts towards her.

I drew a long sigh and got down from the car. I slammed the door hard.

“If you were tired of the car, you could have just asked your ‘daddy’ to buy you a new one. No need to destroy the door.” I heard someone say behind me.

I ground my teeth together, not needing to turn before I recognized the owner of the voice. After all, I've listened to it for years.

“I’m not in the mood, Sinclair.” I growled my response.

He chuckled, the sound echoing through the empty space.

I'd parked far from the main mansion because Arielle didn't want anyone to see her coming out of my car. It would spark rumours.

While I understood her reasons, or I tried to, it still made me mad. Extremely mad.

Jack pushed off the car he was leaning on and strolled towards me. He seem to just be arriving at the party as well.

“Then what are you in the mood for, King? Ruining my relationship?” He sneered, his face tight with rage.

Despite the conflict going on inside me, I forced myself to smirk at his reaction. I didn't expect him to figure it out soon. He might be smarter than I gave him credit for.

“You think I wasn't going to figure out you were the one behind the “missed calls” and texts I didn't receive from Arielle?”

I cocked my head to the side and grinned.

“I don't know what you're talking about.”

“You ruined my relationship, you piece of shit.” he spat the last words in rage.

I took slow strides towards him, maintaining the satisfactory grin on my face.

“Hate to break it to you, but it's hard to ruin what was already broken. She was going to dump your sorry ass anyway.”

He snarled at me but didn't come forward.

“What's your deal with her anyway? Do you like her?”

I snorted, the ordinary thought of it was hilarious.

Like her? There's no way in hell I like Arielle McAlister. The thoughts I have towards her were far from romantic.

I wanted to ruin her. I wanted to torture that rotten behavior out of her.

“Very funny, Sinclair. Very funny.” I let out a humorless laugh.

“The day I saw you at the hospital she was admitted into, what were you doing there?” he asked.

My jaws ticked and my fingers curled into a fist. Jack shouldn't have known about that day. But my selfishness and inability to let go had almost cost me my secret.

“None of your fucking business.” I bit out, anger slowly building inside me.

“Why were you there, King?” He pressed on while advancing towards me.

“I said it's none of your fucking business!” I snapped angrily.

The asshole only smirked. I hated that I gave him the reaction he wanted. I walked away from him before I lost my temper and do something I'll regret. The bastard fell into step behind me.

“Whatever this obsession you have with her, it's not going to get you anywhere. She hates you more than anything.”

I halted in my steps and turned slightly to face him. He almost bumped into me but quickly straighten his posture.

“What makes you think I don't hate her?”

He narrowed his gaze on me and smirked.

“Alright then,” he dipped his hands into his pockets, the portrait of a perfect gentleman.

My brows twitched and I felt the sudden urge to punch him. Only I know that portrait was a mask he'd perfected for the world. I knew what lurks beneath it.

The evil he tries so hard to run away from. That's the difference between him and I. It's one of the reasons we couldn't continue our friendship.

While Sinclair loathes his dark side and tries so hard to hide it, I embrace my unhinged side, nurtured and honed it to a perfect weapon.

“If you have no feelings of sort, I suppose you won't have a problem with the two of us getting back together.” His lips tilted up slight as he stared at me with those keen eyes.

I refused to give him the reaction he expected. I had lost control too many times tonight for my liking.

“What she does is not my business. But I think you overestimate yourself if you believe she'll accept you back.”

“Clearly, you underestimate me, King.” He chuckled.

“If I get her to agree to go out with me again, I want your car for a week.”

My fingers curled into a fist but I managed to keep them from connecting with his face. I so badly wanted to punch that smug smile off his face.

He didn't want my car for any reason other than the humiliation I would receive. These kind of bets were common in Diamond High. I try my best to avoid making one, but when I did, I never lose.

Every single part of me scream not to accept the bet. A tiny voice reminded me that she wouldn't be happy with it and the thought infuriated me more.

“And if you lose?” I asked before I could think more about it.

His answering grin further fueled my rage.

“I have no intention of losing. I dated her once, I could easily do it again.”

The thought of him being in a relationship with her arose something dark inside me. It shouldn't bother me the way it did. I've never cared who she dated before and I refuse to start caring now.

“Three dates.” I said and immediately hated myself for even suggesting that. But I hated the idea of Jack dating her more.

“Get her to go on three dates with you and you win. Otherwise, you owe me a favor.”

An undecipherable emotion flickered in his eyes but it was gone quickly. Everyone knew what owing me a favor means.

Just when I thought he would refuse, he said, “Done.”

“Enjoy the party.” He added and breezed past me.

I clenched my fist harder as I watched his retreating figure. I debated ripping someone's head off for the millionth time that night.