Being the Bad Boy's Victim (18 page)

I whirled back around to glare at Jessica, who sheepishly looked down shifting from foot to foot.

“Ready?” Connor asked, holding out his hand.

I plastered a fake smile and pretended to reach out for Connor’s hand, only to lunge forward and pull his boxers down before shoving him into the pool. Before he resurfaced, he was already able to pull them back up, but it was too late. Everyone had already gotten to see it all—I’m talking about Connor Jr.

“Bella, you are so dead!”

His tone made my blood run cold, and I stood there, temporarily frozen as he pulled himself out of the water. Just as I turned to run, an icy cold arm wrapped around my waist, dragging me backwards. It was Connor, and he jumped back in, taking me with him. I let out a scream as I was engulfed by the freezing cold water.

“Payback’s a bitch,” Connor said loudly.

And without warning, my bra was pulled off of me, and flung to the group of guys by the edge of the pool. I wrapped my arms around myself, which was pretty much useless since everyone already saw everything. Connor laughed as he put his arms around my waist, knowing full well how much I wanted to push him away.

“Hey, Bella! Show us your tits!” some drunk guy called out. Cheers erupted throughout Connor’s backyard, and my face started to burn with embarrassment.

“Guys, they’re just boobs,” Jessica said, trying to divert the attention away from me.

“Then, you show us yours,” James said, standing next to her.

Jess’ eyes widened as she looked back and forth between James and me. I watched in shock as she sighed, pulled up her shirt completely, and ripped off her bra, throwing it to James’ face. All the guys started cheering, and I smiled thankfully at Jess.

“Connor, let go,” I said, turning my attention back to him.

He smirked, lifted me slightly, and adjusted my legs so that they were wrapped around him.

“Do you want to get out?” he asked, his hot breath on my neck causing me to shiver uncontrollably.

“Y-y-yes,” I stuttered, my teeth chattering.

“Okay, but you have to put your arms around my neck,” he said with a pause, and then continued, “so you don’t fall.”

I rolled my eyes and kept my arms firmly placed over my chest.

“Come on, Bells. It’s nothing I haven’t seen before.”

I frowned in disgust, remembering that unfortunate memory. I looked back to see a bunch of girls also flashing or just walking around in their underwear. Making sure no one was watching, I quickly looped my arms around Connor, holding on tightly. I didn’t have to look to know he was smirking. In my embarrassment, I buried my face on his neck, willing myself to not look up.

“Yeah, man! Get some!” The guys cheered as Connor carried me out of the pool and back into the house.

“Here, take this.”

I lifted my head to see Jess holding out my red bra, her face flushed.

“Thank you,” I murmured, giving her a grateful look as I took the still wet bra from her hands. I didn’t bother protesting as Connor carried me upstairs, dropping me on his bed. I quickly turned, facing away from him as I put on my bra. After I finished hooking the back, I turned back and stood up.

“I should go back down…” I murmured, trying to move around Connor. He mirrored my movement, refusing to let me past him.

“What are you doing?” I asked, confused.

He didn’t respond, only stared at me. I rolled my eyes in annoyance.

“Mind telling me why you punched Jack?” I asked, my tone cold.

His expression hardened, and he frowned. “I don’t think that’s any of your business.”

I scowled and narrowed my eyes, taking a step forward. “You and I both know it is.”

Connor didn’t respond, only moved to the side, allowing me to walk past him. Just as I reached the doorway, I turned back to look at him.

“So I guess it won’t be a problem if I go out with Jack sometime?” I asked, watching as anger filled Connor’s eyes, and he tightened his fists.

“Excuse me?” he asked, his tone low and intimidating.

“Did I stutter?” I asked.

His eyes narrowed and he advanced upon me but I managed to hold my ground, even as Connor cornered me against the doorway, placing his hands on either side of my head.

“He’s just going to use you,” Connor snapped.

I shrugged and looked away.

“Cause you weren’t?” I turned back to watch as a look of hurt flashed through his eyes, before he covered it with another emotion. Anger.

“That’s how low you think I am?”

I winced at his deadly tone, fear starting to build at the pit of my stomach.

“Yes,” I whispered, not looking up to meet his gaze. I felt him pull away, walking off without another word. Then, I watched as he went down the stairs, not even bothering to give me a second glance. An empty feeling filled me, and regret set in. I slid to the ground and buried my face in my arms.

Why did I say that? Deep down I wanted to say “no,” but for some reason “yes” just slipped out. I blame the walls I built. Yes, it was because of the walls I built ever since that nightmare happened. I desperately wanted to trust Connor, and I just knew in my heart that he would never really hurt me. But then a part of me would whisper that he still could.

That’s the thing, I knew Connor would not hurt me, but that in the end, I would get hurt anyway. With Jack, I don’t know. I barely knew him. But then again, I barely knew Connor either.

Oh, and don’t even get me started on Liam. He was so clingy, almost suspiciously so. I felt like he was hiding something.

God, when did everything get so confusing?

After a few minutes

I groaned and stood up, shivering as a couple of icy drops fell from my hair onto my back. After I shook out my hair, I made my way downstairs, avoiding all the random articles of clothing scattered everywhere.

“Hey, Bella! I’ve been looking for you!” Jess cried out as I pushed past a bunch of wasted dancing teenagers.

I managed a weak smile as she stopped in front of me, a red plastic cup in her hand.

“Having fun?” I asked her.

“Yesss!” she slurred, her eyes slightly glazed.

“That makes one of us,” I muttered, watching as some blonde skank started flirting with Connor, who was currently sitting near the counter-turned-bar.

“What happened?” she asked, stumbling forwards.

I caught her and winced. She reeked of alcohol.

“Shit happened,” I said, helping her stand up.

“You need to drinnkkk!” she sang out loudly.

Thankfully, the blaring music drowned her out, saving us from an awkward moment.

“I’m good,” I said, backing away.

Her eyes narrowed and she grabbed my arm tightly, dragging me to the bar. A drunk Jess could be as strong as hell.

“Mike, make her your special,” Jess slurred, leaning against the counter.

I looked down suspiciously at the mysterious liquid inside the plastic cup in front of me. “I really don’t…”

Then I froze as I saw Connor lean down, kissing the girl like there was no tomorrow. Because of that sight, everything I did that night—or early morning, was out of spite. Immature, I admit. But hey, I admitted it. So I grabbed the cup in front of me and downed the drink quickly, ignoring the burning feeling down my throat.

Eleven drinks and three hours later

I was wasted as fuck.

I blamed Connor, though. If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have felt the need to fill the empty void inside myself with alcohol. Everything felt surreal. And then I found myself trying to pull away from a guy who was currently groping me, muttering something about my army of uniforms.

Like I said, I was wasted as fuck.

As I pushed past the grinding bodies of wasted teenagers, I giggled and stumbled around like a complete idiot.

“Hey, Bella,” I looked up to see Liam awkwardly leaning against the wall, completely sober.

“Liaaammm, why you no drinkkk?” I yelled into his ear.

He winced and gently pushed me away. “I’m the designated driver,” he said uncomfortably.

“Yeah… but you can still have a drink,” I said, looking at him distastefully.

His cheeks turned a faint shade of red and he looked away for a moment.

“I should go,” he said, trying to move around me.

Stupidly, I grabbed his arm and pulled him back towards me. Well, onto me for that matter. And Liam managed to keep me from falling, catching the both of us.

“Bella, you are really drunk,” he said.

“Come on, let’s get you a drink,” I said, putting my arms around his neck.

Liam frowned and gripped my arms, gently removing them away from his face.

“I don’t drink,” he said slowly.

“Why not?” I asked, stumbling a bit.

He steadied me and replied, “My sister was ki——”

"Boring!" I yelled and giggled.

Liam stared at me, looking surprised, before his expression hardened. Then, he pushed me away, stalking off. I chased after him and grabbed his arm.

“What’sss… the matterrr… with youuu?” I slurred.

Liam looked completely pissed as he glared at me.

“Leave me alone, Bella.”

I gripped his arm tightly, refusing to let him walk away.

“Why?” I asked.

“Why? Bella are you serious?” he asked, leaning in a bit.

“Isss… this because… I didn’t want to listen… to your ssstupid ssstory?”

A look of pain and hurt washed over Liam’s face and he yanked his arm out of my grip.

“You’re heartless!” he spat out. “We’re through. I thought you were different, Bella, but I was sadly mistaken.”

My jaw dropped open as he walked away from me without another word.

What the hell just happened?!

One hour later

“And then he just walked off!” I said as I slumped against the wall.

Jess enfolded me in her arms and dropped her head onto my shoulder. “It’s okay… honey. You… didn’t do anything… wrong,” she slurred, her eyes slowly closing.

“Is it that I-I’m just not good enough?” I asked, my voice shrill and cracking. A couple of tears ran down my cheek as I took a swig of whatever was now in my cup.

Jess pulled away, looking me directly in the eyes. “Of course not!” she said, leaning her hands against my shoulders for support. “Connor and Liam are just stupid!”

“B-but…”

“No! They are complete douchebags for giving up on you. And you know what? You still have Jack. And girl, that boy is fine!” Jess said, her eyes twinkling.

“You know what? You’re right! I don’t need Connor or Liam, I have Jack!” I said, pushing myself off the wall. “Ha! Take that, Connor and Liam!”

“Yes! That’s right!” Jess cheered me on, nodding like a bobblehead.

“You know what?” I said, my eyes widening. “I’m going to tell them. I’m going to show them that Bellatrix Brown doesn’t need them. And that she doesn’t want them!”

“That’s my girl!” Jess screamed.

I grinned and pushed past the wasted teenagers, looking for Connor or Liam.

“James, where’s Connor?” I asked as I stood on my tippy toes looking for him.

“He went upstairs, but…”

I didn’t hear the rest because I automatically started walking upstairs. I took a long gulp from my red cup, building up my courage. After a couple of deep breaths, I opened the door to his bedroom, briskly stumbling in.

“I just wanted to tell you that I don’t need you, and I…” My throat tightened as I took in the sight before me. Connor and blondie, completely naked.

“You were saying?” Connor asked, his expression blank.

I felt weak. Then, I turned and quickly exited the room, walking downstairs and shoving past several people as I flung open the front door, nearly falling on my face as I stormed out.