“Screw you, Reed. You wanted me off painkillers and I am, but I got stomped by a three-hundred-pound heifer out there and my ribs hurt like a motherfucker. It’s either beer or oxy. Pick one.”
Easton’s voice trails off and I don’t hear Reed’s response. Against my better judgment, I creep over to my door and peek out into the hall. I’m just in time to see them both disappear into Reed’s room. My bare feet don’t make a sound as I tiptoe down the hall to the now closed door.
“Why aren’t you still at the party? Abby was all over you after the game,” Easton says. “Easy ass, dude.”
Reed snorts. “That’s why I’m here. I can’t go back to that well.”
“Why’d you go out with her in the first place?”
I hold my breath because it’s an answer I’d like to know, too. What exactly is Reed’s type?
There’s a thump and then another one, like something being throw at the wall.
“She…she reminded me of Mom. Soft. Quiet. Not pushy.”
“Like Ella.” Easton laughs sarcastically. Another thump, this time slightly muffled. “Hey, you almost hit me with that ball, fucker.”
They both laugh. Are they laughing at me?
“Stay away from her, East. You don’t know who she’s been with,” Reed warns, and now it sounds like they’re playing catch, just casually discussing my sexual history.
“Is she really a stripper?” Easton asks after a bit. “She told me she was, but it could’ve been a lie.”
“That’s what Brooke said. Plus it was in Dad’s report.”
Brooke told them that I stripped? So much for trusting her! And what the hell does he mean that Callum has a report on me?
“I never read it. Were there pictures?”
I roll my eyes at the eagerness in Easton’s voice.
“Yeah.”
“Of her stripping?” He’s even more excited.
“Naah. They were just of her doing normal shit.” Reed pauses. “She worked three jobs last summer. She clerked at a truck stop in the morning, did retail in the afternoon, and stripped at this kiddy bar at night.”
“Damn. That’s rough,” Easton sounds almost impressed. Not Reed, though. Reed comes off disgusted. “How’d Jordan find that out?”
“One of the twins blurted it out, probably while he was getting head.”
“Sawyer then. Can’t keep his mouth shut when there’s a bitch around his dick.”
“Truth.” A drawer slams shut. “You know, you could use this. I mean, hell, if she’s attracted to you, then use her. Stick with her. Find out what she really wants. I’m still not convinced that her and Dad don’t have something going on.”
“She said she wasn’t doing him.”
“And you believed that?”
“Maybe.” Reed’s disbelief infects Easton. “How many guys you think she’s been with?”
“Who knows. Gold diggers like her will open their legs to anyone who waves a few dollars in front of ’em.”
I’m not a gold digger! I want to shout. And these jerks couldn’t be more wrong about my active “sex life.” I haven’t even given a blowjob before. On the sex scale, I veer closer to prude than pro.
“Think she could teach me something?” Easton wonders.
“How an STD feels. But if you want to fuck her, then do it. I don’t care.”
“Really? Because you’re throwing that football hard enough that it sounds like you care.”
The thumping stops. “You’re right. I do care.”
My hand creeps up to my throat. Thud. Thud. Thud. They toss the ball back and forth. Or maybe that’s the hope in my heart.
“I care about you. I care if you get hurt, sick, whatever. I don’t give two shits about her, though.”
I look down at my hand, expecting to see blood from the wound he just slashed open. But there’s nothing there.
* * *
My alarm goes off at five. My eyes are crusty and I feel sore all over. I might have cried a little before I fell asleep but this morning I feel a renewed sense of determination. There’s no point in wanting the Royals to like me, especially Reed. Steve’s widow is a bitch, but at least it’s obvious so I know what to watch for. That goes double for Easton. If he tries to use me, then I’ll use him right back.
After all, I don’t have any secrets. They’re all written out in some report of Callum’s.
I lace up my sneakers and shoulder my backpack that is ten grand lighter. I decided it was too stressful to be carrying around that load of cash, so I taped it to the underside of the sink in the bathroom. Hopefully it’ll be safe there.
Being up this early on a Saturday morning is so disorienting, but Lucy asked me to come in today and help her with a cake order, and I didn’t feel right saying no. Besides, I could use all the extra cash I can get.
In the hallway, I try to be as quiet as possible so I don’t wake up the Royals. I’m so focused on tiptoeing down the stairs that I almost topple over when I hear Reed’s low voice behind me.
“Where are you going?”
Hmm, that’d be none of your business. I figure if I don’t engage him then he’ll just go back to his room.