Chapter 29 Chapter: 29
ADDISON
“Hey, you okay?” Cole asked, watching me from where he sat on the couch.
“Yeah, I'm okay,” I replied, forcing a smile. My eyes flick to where the other three guys are in the big open-plan kitchen. Nathan had a bag of frozen beans over his forehead.
Trick was busy ranting about something I couldn’t make out clearly, but definitely had something to do with the guys they fought.
Asher was leaning against the refrigerator, sipping beer while he listened to Trick. And Shepherd, the gang leader, was nowhere in sight. He’d stomped up the stairs looking like the grim reaper himself.
And me, well, I’d just find myself a seat drolly and ask him to bring me my backpack so I can leave for my dorm. Although that’s the last thing I wanted to do.
I’d lied to Cole, and I don’t fucking feel okay. I mean, who would be? My entire body was shaking as the adrenaline from the last hour finally drained, leaving behind the realization of what had gone down.
After the fight, Shepherd had driven for what felt like eternity before we finally got here, back to school, to his mansion. For the entire ride back, I'd sat beside him, deadly quiet, shaken to my core, and wondering what the hell I had done.
I still can't stop thinking of the trouble I got myself in, can’t stop thinking of how we’d narrowly escaped the cops. What if we hadn’t heard the siren just in time to make our escape?
What would I have done then if the police had arrested us all and found me with a freaking gun in my hands? How would I have explained to them that I didn’t know what the hell was happening and that I had only acted to stop the fight?
Would they have even believed me?”
Doubt it, heck even I am finding it hard to believe the kind of crazy day I had, I've gone from being bullied, to Shepherd consoling me, being even somewhat nice to me. Then I’d gone to a freaking illegal racing track, and finally participated in a brawl, if we can even call it that.
The way Shepherd and those guys were fighting didn’t look like it was the first time, and it certainly didn’t look like an everyday brawl, more like gang fights.
“Here,” Asher’s voice startled me from my thoughts. My eyes flick to the can of beer he was offering me. I’m usually not the kind of girl who likes beer, but right now? I fucking need it.
“Thank you,” I whispered, taking it. I popped open the can and gulped it down like it was the only thing that would keep me sane. When I brought it down from my lips, I noticed Asher was grinning down at me.
“You were badass today,” he said, clearly impressed. I wasn’t.
“Yeah, Addison. I honestly didn't think you had it in you,” Nathan added, as they all filed into the living room. “Where did you learn how to shoot?”
They were all staring at me, differently. Dare I say with a little respect? While waiting for me to answer.
I shrugged, avoiding their gazes. “It wasn’t that hard; anyone could have done it under those circumstances.”
Some people probably could, but the only reason I knew how to use that gun was that my dad used to take me to a shooting range.
“Not with your precision,” Trick said with narrowed eyes. Cole nodded in agreement.
“You didn’t shoot like someone who has never used a gun before,” he tilted his head thoughtfully. “Your aim was too accurate for a newbie.”
“Guess I'm just that good, huh?” I replied with a nervous smile.
“Are you alright? You seem a little off,” Nathan asked.
“I'm great! Why wouldn't I be?”
He was going to say something, probably ask another question, when I noticed Shepherd coming down the stairs.
“Um, thanks, guys. It's time for me to leave.” I stood up as he approached.
Shepherd had obviously taken a shower, from the sweatpants and white shirt he'd changed into, and of course, the lack of any traces of blood on his face and body.
He was also carrying my backpack. He seemed to have calmed down a bit from the tornado he was in earlier, but that, however, didn’t stop him from glaring at both Asher and me.
“Get off your ass, let's go. If you’re done flirty.” I try not to roll my eyes at him. “We weren’t flirty,” I retorted.
“Well, are you coming or not?” I bit back the retort on my tongue and turned to Asher.
“Thanks for the beer, Asher,” I said as I took a step towards Shepherd, who was already moving towards the elevator.
“You could just spend the night here, you know.”
“No, she doesn’t,” Shepherd replied, from behind me. I nodded, “I need to get back to my dorm before my roommate realizes I spent half the night outside. Asher smiled and nodded at me as I walked inside the elevator.
The steel door slid closed, sealing us in the little box. I fix my gaze on the numbers blinking down, ignoring the angry bull beside me.
“Are you okay?” The question was unexpected after what just happened. My eyes flicked up to those liquid silver eyes as he stared at me.
Although he’d cleaned up the blood from his split lip, eyebrow, and knuckles, the evidence of his fight was still there for all to see.
I didn’t get the chance to answer because that was when we arrived at the ground floor. I stepped out of the elevator, and for some reason, I wasn't thinking of his question.
But, how the security guys at the gate didn't even ask him why he was coming back to school at this time after sneaking out, instead they were welcoming him back. Like he was above the rules.
Though I'm grateful we weren't in trouble, I was also pissed at myself for leaving with him, knowing that if anything had happened tonight, everything I've been trying to protect would have come to light.
And I might probably end up getting expelled from school, if not sent to prison. That's the last fucking thing my family needs, another family member in jail.
I have no business hanging out with these rich bad boys.
I barely took two steps before he grabbed my hand and yanked me back, my body slamming against his.
“What the hell are you doing?” I asked, suddenly pissed.
“I just asked you a question, Addison. I can't seem to see what you are thinking,” he said, like me, answering matters a lot. Like what I was thinking makes a difference to him.
I took a step back, his hand fell away from the unexpected move. “You know what?” I blurted, trying not to show just how freaked out I was.
“You all keep asking me this same question, and the truth is. I'm not fucking okay, Shepherd,” I said, holding his gaze.
“None of what happened today was okay. And you all refused to explain to me what happened? I held someone at gunpoint. Do you have any idea what would have happened to me had we been caught by the cops?” I asked, my voice trembled.
I pushed back my hair, trying not to cry.
“Addison.” He took a step forward, and I took one back, shaking my head.
“I would have probably been arrested, and I don't doubt that I would have probably ended up in jail for that. I'm a high school student, Shepherd.”
Your rich families would have freed you and the guys; I will be the only one paying for what you did.”
“You’re exaggerating; nothing like that would have happened.”
“Because we were lucky this time,” I cut in, glaring at him. “Do you have any idea how I'm feeling right now? I fired a gun, not once, not twice, all because of you guys, Shepherd.”
The more I talk, the more I realize how reckless I was today. Doing the very thing I sought to avoid.
“I just came here to finish my high school, I don’t want or need drama. Likewise, I have no business getting involved with whatever you guys got going on.”
“I never forced you to come with me, Addison. You could have jumped out of the car before I ever drove out of the gate,” he growled.
“Trust me, I regret that I didn't.” His eyes darkened.
“But it’s not too late, you and I, we don't live in the same world.”
“Our world isn't all that different, Shrimp.”
“Yes, it is Shepherd. If nothing tonight has proven it to me, you could get away with so many shit people like us could never. So please stay away from me.” I turned to leave, but never had the chance as he yanked me back; this time, my back was against his sports car.
“It's my turn to talk, and you'll fucking listen,” he gritted, eyes dark, as he leaned closer, until there was barely any space between our bodies. That fast, that dumb organ in my chest went out of whack, racing as his natural scent invaded my senses.
“You want me to leave you alone, fine. I will, but you owe me, and I'm fucking asking for six weeks of your time.”
“I owe you?” I asked incredulously. “I don't owe you, shit Shepherd. If anything, you owe me. I saved your asses back there.”
Shepherd released a humorless chuckle. “You're fucking hilarious, Shrimp. Fine, let's assume you saved us. I still say you owe me, and what I say goes. I'm negotiating an easy parting with you, or else I'm going to keep bugging the fuck out of you.”
“What the hell do you want from me, Shepherd?” I asked, angry and exhausted at the same time.
“I don't get you, one minute you act like a decent human being, the next you're a fucking asshole. Make up your fucking mind and tell me what the hell you want from me.”
I didn't realize I was angrily poking his chest until his eyes went there. I quickly pulled my hand away and pushed him away, trying to get some personal space.
He stepped back, his eyes hooded as he buried his hands inside his pockets. “Go on a date with me,” he said so calmly that it took a few seconds for his words to get through.
I blinked. “What did you just say?” I stuttered, my throat dry. He kept his face blank as he repeated his words.
“Go on a date with me,” he pulled one of his hands from his pocket and rubbed at his neck.
“No, you must be kidding me,” I said, without even hesitation, even as my heart hammered beneath my ribcage. His face hardened.
He scoffed, rolling his eyes at me as though I was the one saying such ridiculous things. “It's not going to be a real date, like I already said, you aren't my type," he growled, clearly pissed. “I just need you to pretend to be my girlfriend for six weeks, after which we'll part ways.”
“Hell to the no, Shepherd, you're the cause of half the problems I'm already in. If I date you, fake or not, those evil Barbies are going to make my life fucking miserable, and the last thing I need is more trouble. I’ve had enough of that to last me the whole year.”
“Or fake dating me could be the shield you needed. I can keep you safe from everyone,” he shrugged. “It will be me in your corner, me against anyone who comes at you; no one would dare bully you. In fact, you'll be feared and respected. You already know what I can do in this school.”
Well, now that he's saying it, it does sound kinda great, but I wouldn't be in any of this trouble if it weren't for all the bullshit he'd pulled.
“My answer is still no,” I said, taking my backpack from the hood of his car. “You saved me from the barbies, I saved you from blondie and black eyes,” he tilted his head, his brows creased adorably. “Those guys from earlier. So now we're both even, so leave me alone, Shepherd.”
With that, I turned and fled towards the gate. I didn’t turn around when the gate opened, and I slid out into the dark street.
I didn't turn around as I crossed the empty street towards my dorm, even though I'm starting to feel nervous with the lack of human life.
I've never been out at this time before; heck, I'm usually dead to the world at this hour. It's past 2-freaking-am for fuck sake. But here I was in a skippy short dress, boots, and a leather jacket.
I can't believe everything that happened today, or was it yesterday—my day had gone from bad to worse like some cosmic joke.
“Don't you think?”
“Jesus!” I yelled, my head whipped to the side.
“What the hell do you want? You just scared the crap out of me. Why are you following me?”
“Don't flatter yourself, I'm just heading the same way.”
I ignored him, despite his claim; Shepherd walked me all the way to my dorm while he was fiddling on his phone.
“Addison,” he called. I glanced back at him. He was standing directly underneath the lightpost. His eyes were so intense, swirling with thoughts I could only guess, his face still so go rgeous despite the bruises.
“Think about what I said, I expect an answer tomorrow.” And just like that, he pivoted and left me with my heart and head all tied in knots.