Eden High Series 2 Book 3 (5 page)

CASSANDRA

***

M
y stomach is in knots. She’s home! What would this mean for my family? It was only by chance that I’d heard my dad’s phone and snuck into the room to read the screen. Instinct I guess. Ever since I’d discovered the affair I’ve been very suspicious of my dad, always keeping a close watch. I’ve been reading his texts and going through his address book for weeks now without him knowing.

Each time I did I got a cramp in my tummy, not knowing what I was going to find. I lived in fear of the day when my whole world came tumbling down. My poor mom. What was I going to do? I feel so scared and alone. There’s no one to talk to about this. If I say anything the whole sordid mess would come out and then what?

Everything had been going so well lately too. Dad was more attentive to mom and was acting more like his old self. And even though I found it hard to go back to the way we once were, at least she was happy again.

They were finally taking the time needed to heal after losing the baby. Dad was being so sweet to her, complimenting her the way he used to. I was happy for mom, I knew she still loved him and there’s nothing I wouldn’t do to keep that new look of content on her face. Mom was even talking about going back to work. I’d seen her reading scripts, when only a few weeks ago she could barely get out of bed or stand to leave her room.

My heart felt sick at the ramifications of all that could go wrong now that Mandy was back. She was like a virus that spreads when there’s no cure. Sian and Jace must be on high alert too. Then again Jace would never let anything happen to Sian. He hardly ever leaves her side.

I’d been avoiding them since everything started going crazy. It was too dangerous to be around others. What if I let something slip? As I packed my overnight case to take to school with me I thought one last time of a way to get out of tonight’s sleepover. I felt sure I should stay close to home now just in case.

It wasn’t that I didn’t want to go. I’d finally started to feel like part of the high school experience, like a normal teenager. Sian and all my new friends have been trying so hard to break me out of my shell. I’d even become a cheerleader, something I was sure would not have been possible without her patience and help.

But it all felt so tainted now, like nothing will ever be the same again. I was well aware that my childhood as I knew it was over. Something else I have to thank Mandy for. I wish I’d never seen them together, wish that I didn’t have to carry the burden of this secret. I felt tears prick the corners of my eyes at the unfairness of it all. How could one person do so much damage to so many? And why hadn’t she died?

Next to the fear I felt the anger only Mandy could instill. Before her, I was never this unhappy. My family was whole and together. I probably shouldn’t blame her for all of it. Dad was as much at fault as she was. But lately he’d been coming around. Now here she was, trying to stir shit up again. I won’t let her. I won’t let her hurt my mom. Here in the safety of my home I felt certain that I could do that. Time to grow up Cassie. You’re not a little girl anymore.

“Baby are you ready? Your dad’s waiting to take you to school. Did you pack everything you need for the weekend? It was so nice of this girl to invite you. I’m glad to see you making new friends.” Mom said all this in one breath and mine hitched as my skin prickled. She sounded almost manic, the way she used to when she was losing her mind.

I looked at her eyes as she came over to brush a hand through my hair, something she hadn’t done for a while until here recently. Her eyes didn’t have that same glassy look, but I could tell something was bothering her. I opened my mouth to ask her, but thought better of it. I didn’t want to be the one to burst her bubble.

“Yes mom, I have everything I need. Are you sure you don’t want me to stay?”

“Of course not honey. Go on and have fun with your friends, you can tell me all about it when you get back on Sunday. I spoke to her mom, she sounds like a nice woman. Maybe one day soon we can have them all over for dinner.” Her smile wasn’t as sad so that eased the band around my chest.

Maybe I was just imagining things, looking for shadows around every corner. I inhaled her scent as she wrapped her arms around me, and for a second there, I felt like the cherished little girl I’d once been. I held on a little longer as I fought back unwanted tears. “I love you mom.”

“Oh sweetheart, I love you too. Now come on, your daddy has a lot on his plate this morning. You have a great day at school and enjoy your weekend with your friends.” I nodded since I was too choked up to speak and slipped out of her hug.

I left the house looking back once to see her standing in the doorway waving me off. I was very torn, and after seeing Mandy’s text I was even more so. I had this very bad feeling that something was going to go wrong if I wasn’t here to stop it. But I had ran out of excuses.

Sian had practically bullied me into coming to her house tonight. The plan was to leave straight from school and go there for a weekend of fun, but I knew she was going to grill me. She seemed able to see right through my flimsy excuses and my last attempt at putting her off had fallen on deaf ears.

How was I supposed to pretend to be happy when my whole world was about to come tumbling down? I’m not that good an actress. Maybe if I suddenly came down with a cold mom would let me stay home and I could avoid the whole thing. Then I could stay close and protect her. I climbed into the car with dad, ready to put my plan into action, but it was no good. I was too nervous to get it right without being caught.

“You all set pumpkin?”

“Yes dad.” I could feel his eyes on my face as I looked straight ahead. Did he notice that I never really look at him anymore? That his little girl had grown distant and cold? As much as I hated Mandy for her part in this, I couldn’t pretend that he didn’t bare part of the blame. He too had shattered my innocence, and it would be a long time if ever before he regained my trust.

Lately, after his little slut had been sent to the hospital, he’s been trying really hard to be father of the year. It sickens me that while he was screwing around with a girl just a couple years older than me, he had no time for me. But, now, only because he couldn’t get to her he suddenly remembers he has a daughter. Sad!

***

CARTER

***

I can’t go through this again. That text a few minutes ago had shattered my newfound calm. I have to think of a way to get out of this mess that I’d made for myself, and fast before everything I’d worked so hard for goes up in smoke. How could I have been so stupid? I tried to fix it, to make things right, but I failed. The drugs I’d given her were enough to kill anyone. But it looked like someone else was out to do her in as well. Only that night we’d been at cross-purposes. What rotten luck.

If her mom hadn’t heard that shot and called for help, the drugs would’ve had enough time to work their magic. Instead she’d been rushed to the hospital just in the knick of time, and now she’s back. I’m sure I can’t use the same trick again so I’ll have to come up with something else. Now she’s threatening to give my name to the police. I felt cold crawl down my back. If this gets out it could ruin me.

I thought of my wife and what it would do to her. I’ve done everything I can to keep her from knowing about my one slip-up. I was just looking for a little fun, something to ease the pressure of the last year. Things at home had gone from bad to worse and I just needed something, anything to take my mind off my troubles.

When Mandy came onto me, at first I told myself that it was wrong she was too young. The girl was barely older than my daughter. But then I made up all these stupid excuses in my head of why I could get away with it. Everyone else in this town was doing it they were just better at not getting caught.

By the time I came to my senses, she’d had her hooks in me and won’t let go. I’d tried pulling away long before the night I tried to kill her, that was my last resort, but there was no getting away from her. She was as good as any villainess from the silver screen. I should know, I cut my teeth on them. Only this wasn’t one of my movies, this was real life and she was the one writing the script.

And to think I’d been fooled into believing she was a sweet young thing. I’d erroneously looked at her as a young innocent, someone I could maybe show a good time for as long as it lasted and then move on. In the beginning she’d convinced me that this was her first time. That I was the first man she’d given herself to. What a joke. I’d learned a few things about her since then and none of it good.

I should’ve known what I was getting into when I took her to bed the first time and found her well ridden. Suckered in by a blowjob, which is what she’d lied and told me was as far as she’d ever gone with her little high school boyfriends. She claimed, when I asked her about her expertise, that since she was saving herself for that special someone, she’d learned to use her mouth.

I know what she is now though. A lying, scheming, manipulative bitch who was out to destroy me. The money wasn’t enough to keep her away and I’d paid plenty. She seemed to want something more, and I can’t for the life of me figure out what the hell that was.

Another fear hit me. I’d become so selfish that I only thought of myself, but there was someone else I should be looking out for. I looked at my daughter out the side of me eye. I still wasn’t sure, but the implications were frightening. Had it been her I saw running away that night?

She hasn’t said a word to me about any of it. Not once has she even brought it up. But lately I’ve noticed a difference in her, in the way she acts when she’s around me. Like now. Her little body is so tense as she sits beside me in the car. I’d missed the signs before, when I was so wrapped up in Mandy those first few weeks and nothing else mattered.

I hadn’t noticed the distance growing between me, and my daughter. Now the dust had cleared and I’d come crashing back down to reality, I could see and feel it. I wanted to reach over and touch her shoulder or tease her the way I once used to, but somehow I knew it wouldn’t be accepted.

I have to find a way to make this all better, to get us back to where we used to be, but how? Mandy has me by the short ones and she knows it. Now she expects me to come to her tonight. My palms broke out in a sweat as I pulled into the school. Shame washed over me as the enormity of what I’d done hit home. I fucked an underage girl and now my life is fucked.

SIAN

***

A
ll day at school I geared myself up for what was to come later. I was my usual bubbly self as Jace drove me home, chatting away about nothing and everything. My stomach felt queasy but I had to go for it. It was my only chance. I built up my courage and got the ball rolling. If he didn’t knock my head off I just might pull this off.

I had to get it right though, so I schooled myself and prepared for hell to break loose. What I was about to do could certainly blow up in my face, but I had to remind myself that it was for the best. Mandy was never going to leave us alone, I know that now and if I didn’t do something, he would and that could only end badly for him. His last brush with the law was too close for comfort.

That tramp had almost convinced them that he’d harmed her and as much clout as his dad had, I wasn’t sure how much longer that would hold out. If she was good enough to fool them once, I’m afraid next time she’d do an even better job of it. I can’t let that happen. After taking a few deep breaths I was ready.

“So, what do you have planned for tonight?” I pretended I was rifling through my bag for something, not looking at him.

“Nothing much.” Was his cryptic reply as he turned onto my driveway.

“You should do something with the guys since all the girls are gonna be with me. Why don’t y’all go see that new movie you’ve been raving about?”

“If I didn’t know better I’d swear you were trying to get rid of me.” I felt his stare but refused to look at him. He sees too damn much. All it would take is one look and he’d know I was up to something.

“You’re not planning to crash my sleepover again are you?” I said it with a huff and finally looked at him. I withstood the look he gave me without saying a word even though I was beginning to get butterflies in my stomach, and not the good kind. When he didn’t say anything, just sat there and stared at me, I went on the defensive. This was just the opening I was looking for.

“Jace you’ve got to let me breathe.”

“Say what now?” Oh I had his attention alright.

“You don’t have to watch over me every second, I can take care of myself.” I had to make it as believable as possible so I made my voice as annoyed as I could as I stepped out of the car. My legs were shaking so hard I couldn’t believe he didn’t hear them.

Since that day when I’d flirted with Stanley to get back at him, I’ve tried my damnedest not to get on his bad side. He’d shown me then what I was up against and I’d just as soon not deal with his brand of crazy right now. Not when I had something as pressing as dealing with Mandy later on on my plate.

The look on his face when he got out on his side and walked around to me was one I’d never seen before. He looked like I’d punched him in the gut followed by a look that said he was going to strangle me and bury my ass in the woods. It made me rethink my strategy. Just as I was about to reach out to touch him and apologize he turned on his heel and walked away. Gutted!

He got back in the car and peeled out of the driveway. Oh shit! Maybe I’d gone too far. It was burning a hole in my tongue to call him back, but I had to do this for him as much as for myself. This had to end. In a way it was almost as important as finding out who’d attacked me. I’ll talk him out of his mad as soon as it was over. I had no doubts.

***

JACE

***

“Your sister’s up to some shit.” I pulled my phone as soon as I was out of sight after speeding out of the driveway. She’s lucky I know her ass so well or I’d have spanked her ass for talking shit at me. she’s good, but not good enough, she can’t fool me for shit. Whatever it is that she’s up to, she’s scared. I hadn’t missed the trembling legs. Little idiot, doesn’t she know me well enough by now to know I don’t miss anything when it comes to her?

I had a good idea what she was up to I just didn’t know her plan. Fuck if I was gonna let her get anywhere near that psychopath, not on my watch.

“How do you know?”

“She just gave me the brush off.” I snorted at the audacity.

“Wait, what? Si broke up with you?”

“The fuck are you on? Of course not. But she’s trying to get me out of the way and I have a feeling it has something to do with what your dad was talking about earlier. I was watching her the whole time and something’s off.”

“Damn, what the hell could she be up to? You think the others are in on it?”

“Of course they are, but I wouldn’t try getting shit out of Belle, they’re not gonna talk. Hardheaded ass females.”

“So what’s the plan?”

“I’m gonna let her think her little scheme worked of course. Then I’m gonna keep an eye on her ass and make sure she doesn’t get herself into some shit that will put my ass in jail for the next forty years.”

“I’ll meet you at your place. You calling Shane?”

“Yep. I’m sure his girl is in on it too.”

“How come every time they have a sleepover some shit happens?”

“Fuck if I know. She’s your sister.” This time it was he who snorted. “Yeah but she was sane until she met your ass. Should we tell dad?”

“Nah, not yet, let’s wait and see what she does first.”

I hung up and checked the tracker I’d had placed in her ring to make sure it was doing what it was supposed to. Not like I hadn’t been doing this same thing every minute since she’d been hurt. Only this morning her dad had warned me about going anywhere near Mandy. Somehow he’d found out she was going home from the hospital. He’d pretty much reiterated what dad had said. They’d discussed the situation, and they were on it. All us kids had to do was stay out of the line of fire.

He’d thanked me for looking out for his daughter, but as he put it, I would do more harm than good if I went after the twit myself. I told him the same thing I told dad and he understood. Then he’d shared some of what they were doing to find the truth, what strides he and dad had made so far.

It helped that they both believed me when I said that Mandy was involved in what had happened to my girl and were doing their own thing to find out the truth. I sometimes forget that he loves her as much as I do. Still, it’s hard for me to step back and let others do what’s mine to do.

I went home and played with my dog for a bit but I couldn’t settle. If the little sneak was willing to test my wrath then she must really be after something. I knew she’d been playing a part, but I was gonna have to warn her never to say that shit to me again. Maybe I will put her feisty ass over my knee after all once I got whatever the hell it was she was up to out of her. Pain in the ass!