Chapter 29 I Am Not Yours
Dalton's frown deepened as he tracked the girl in the distance. His three friends watched him, sensing the gears turning in his head. They knew it was never a good sign when Dalton fixated on something like this.
"Dalton, come on. Let's go. I haven't even had breakfast yet," Blake said, trying to snap him out of it.
"Yeah, I’m starving too," Gustav added.
"It was a setup," Dalton muttered.
"What?" Blake asked.
"She planned that with Ariel. She’s still trying to make me believe she isn't after my money."
"Whoa, hold on." Arking stepped in front of him, breaking Dalton's stare. "There’s no way Ariel would do that to you."
Before he could finish, Dalton shoved Arking hard against the building and bolted toward Mayzie.
She was lying on the grass with her eyes shut, letting the sun dry her clothes. A small smile touched her lips, but it vanished the moment a heavy weight pinned her down. Her eyes snapped open to see Dalton's face, twisted with the same rage he’d shown during his fight with Blake.
"What game are you playing?" he screamed, looming over her.
"W-what?" Mayzie gasped, caught completely off guard. He pinned her wrists to the ground, his weight making it impossible for her to move.
"What are you trying to pull?!" he yelled.
"I don't know what you're talking about!" she shouted back. This time, the shakiness was gone from her voice.
"You think I’m stupid? Messing with two other guys behind my back while trying to use me? You're pathetic!"
Mayzie's eyes widened at the pure vitriol in his voice. "What is wrong with you? I’m not your girlfriend! I can see whoever I want!" Her fear turned into a sharp spike of anger. "Get off me!" She struggled against his grip, trying to buck him off with her hips.
"You planned this from the start, didn't you? Helping me in the hall... this was all a trick with Ariel!"
"Stop it!"
"Fine. If you want to use me, I’ll use you!" He let go of her hands.
Mayzie reached up to push him away, but the sound of fabric tearing stopped her cold. Her blue button-up shirt was ripped down the middle, showing her white lace bra. "Dalton, stop!" she screamed.
"Dalton! Enough!" Gustav's voice rang out. The three boys had come running from the building when they realized things had gone too far.
Mayzie tried to shove Dalton's face away. Suddenly, hands grabbed Dalton's waist and hauled him off her. Someone else reached down, helping Mayzie up and pulling her close to shield her.
Gustav and Blake held a struggling Dalton back. He tried to elbow his way free, but they kept a tight grip. Arking stood with Mayzie, using his own body to hide her torn shirt.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" Arking snapped at Dalton.
"She’s just a slut! Who cares—"
"She’s not! Shut up!" Arking barked.
"Three guys, Arking? And she’s not?" Dalton spat.
"You idiot!" Mayzie yelled, her voice trembling with fury. "I’m not dating you! I’m not dating Clyde, either — he only said that so you’d leave me alone! I’m dating Alonso, you jerk!"
Dalton stopped fighting. "What?"
"Clyde is Bellatrix's boyfriend!"
Blake blinked, looking confused. "I thought the guy at the café was the one?"
"No!" Mayzie screamed.
"I saw pictures of you with your arms around him!" Dalton countered.
"The only time I held his arm was when he walked me to work! Bellatrix was on his other side!" She pushed Arking away, her face flushed. "Get away from me!"
She turned her back to them, clutching her ruined shirt together while she grabbed her things from the grass. "You’re a complete prick," she said to Dalton. "And the rest of you are just as bad for hanging around him."
She stood as tall as she could, bundling the fabric of her shirt in her fists. "Don’t ever come near me again." She marched up to Dalton and slapped him across the face with everything she had.
Gustav and Blake immediately let go of Dalton and stepped back.
"You’re a spoiled brat," Mayzie said, her voice cold. "I hate everything about you. I hope you’re miserable. I hope your life is as full of grief as the days you’ve given me. Never speak to me again. You make me sick."
She turned on her heel and headed for the lockers.
"Mayzie, wait!" Arking ran after her.
"I don't want to talk to you, either. I don't want anything to do with—" She stopped when Arking pulled her into a firm hug. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and held her tight.
"He wouldn't have done it," Arking said softly. "He’s cruel, and he does mean things, but Dalton would never have actually hurt you like that."
Mayzie started to cry, her fingers clenching the back of his shirt. She buried her face in his shoulder, finally letting out the fear she’d been holding in. "You don't know that for sure," she sobbed.
"I do. I promise. Dalton... he's never even been with anyone before. He acts tough, but he’s actually sentimental about that stuff. He’s waiting for someone he actually loves. He wouldn't have gone through with it."
Mayzie's sobbing slowed. She looked up at Arking, eyes red. "Are you serious?"
"I am. I wouldn't lie about this," he sighed. "He loses his head when he gets angry, but he always snaps out of it before he does something unforgivable. He wouldn't have hurt you. He cares about you too much."
"That doesn't make it okay."
"I know. It’s okay to hate him. I just wanted you to know that, even if we hadn't been there, he would have stopped himself."
"What’s going on?" Ariel appeared in the distance, hands in his pockets. He looked confused, watching his brother hugging Mayzie.
"Dalton lost it," Arking told him. "Seeing you talk to her pushed him over the edge."
Ariel bit his lip, looking guilty. "That wasn't what I wanted."
Arking nodded and mouthed, I know.
"Come on, we’ll take you home," Ariel said, reaching out to take the backpack that was sliding off Mayzie's shoulder. "You shouldn't be here today anyway. Take the day off."
"Here," Ariel pulled off his jersey, leaving him in a plain white undershirt. He handed the jersey to her. "Put this on."
"Thanks," Mayzie whispered, sliding her arms into the oversized sleeves.
"Do you like ice cream?" Arking asked, taking one side of her as Ariel took the other.
"Why?"
"Let's go get sundaes!" Ariel suggested. It was a bit cheerful for the situation, but Mayzie realized they were just trying to distract her.
"Not today," she murmured.
"Oh, don't be like that," Arking smiled gently. "Our treat. Besides, it’s Ariel's fault that caused Dalton to flip out, so he’s paying."
"I said no."
"I think someone needs cheering up!" Ariel joked, trying to lighten the mood.
"No! Wait — okay, fine, I’ll go," Mayzie said, fighting a small smile despite herself.
The two brothers laughed and each took one of her hands. "Let's go!" they said together, heading for the gates. Arking called for his driver as they walked. Ariel squeezed Mayzie's hand against his chest — a silent, unspoken apology.