8
1101 Words
WILLOW
Theo is staring at me like he feels sorry for me. His grip loosens on my arms and I yank them away from him.
I’m breathing hard. Never have I felt as humiliated as I do right now. Not even when he had spread those rumors about me.
“Nothing about my relationship with Aiden has anything to do with you.” I put more distance between us. “We’re dating because we have feelings for each other.”
“I don’t buy it.” He’s got that dark contemplative look in his eyes and I feel sick dread traveling up my spine. “I wonder what everyone would think if I were to maybe start a rumor about this.”
“What kind of rumor?” I don’t realize I’m holding my breath until I feel my vision beginning to swim.
To think I was so in love with this asshole a couple of weeks ago. Now, I wish I can rip him to shreds with my bare claws. Not even werewolf security will be able to find his remains by the time I’m done with him.
“Rumors about how you’re nothing but a pathetic little slut, who would date her ex-boyfriend’s brother, just to get back at him. If you thought being called a prude was bad, wait until you start being called the nasty little b***h, who got in between blood brothers.”
“Like anyone is going to believe that! It’s no secret that you and Aiden don’t get along.”
“Oh Willow. You think that’s going to matter once I start the rumors? Come on now. You of all people should know how much the students at this school love to gossip.”
He’s right.
If he is to spread this bullshit, no one would give a f**k that it’s all lies. They would eat it right up and prey on me. I would be lucky if I make it out with my sanity intact.
I had barely survived the prude attacks. Am I really going to survive something as vicious as this?
I can’t help but wonder, would this be happening if I had just remained in bed rather than going to the coffee shop? Perhaps if I’d just stayed home, Theo wouldn’t be actively trying to ruin my life right now.
“But then again… all of this doesn’t need to happen,” he’s saying, pleased with whatever he sees on my face. “I don’t have to go as far as actively trying to ruin whatever is left of your reputation. In exchange, I want you to break up with him.”
“You’re joking.” A gust of air leaves my mouth.
“You’ve got until the end of the day, baby.” He winks, and then, he’s gone.
***
“He what?” Violet sounds hysterical on the phone. “That f*****g asshole. I’m going to kill him.”
She’s livid with rage but I’m not listening to her. I have to find Aiden.
I had texted him a while ago but there’s still no answer. Calling him—that s**t had gone straight to voicemail.
“The nerve of that jerk, threatening you like that. So, it’s okay for him for cheat on you and get a new girlfriend but when you try to move on from him, you’re the villain? What a hypocrite.”
“Do you have any idea where Aiden would be right now?” I ask, cutting her rant short. “I’ve checked the ice rink. He’s not there. He’s also not answering his phone.”
“So, I need to get this straight. Are you and Aiden like a couple now?” she asks. “Sorry Willow. I know this is the wrong time to be asking that seeing as how you’ve got more important s**t to deal with.”
“You’re right. This is not the right time to talk about it. But I promise you, Vi, once I have this situation sorted out, I’ll tell you everything.”
“Alright. Hold on. There’s someone I can ask about Aiden’s whereabouts. Give me a minute. I’ll call you right back.” She hangs up. It only takes a minute but it’s the longest minute of my life.
I’m on the other side of the school, on the field where the football players hold court.
I keep to the bleachers, staring nervously at my phone, waiting for Violet to call me. My phone rings and I nearly drop it in my haste to answer.
But it’s not Violet calling. It’s Aiden.
His deep rumble feels like soothing balm on my overly stimulated nerves.
“Thompson,” he calls simply enough. “What’s up? Any reason why you’re trying to reach me?”
“It’s Theo,” I rush to say. “Look, I can’t get into specifics over the phone. Where are you right now? I’ll come meet you.”
“Er,” he hesitates. It’s only then that I notice the noise in the background. “I’m actually not on campus right now.”
“Oh. Okay, well, I can come meet you. Just tell me where you are and I’ll be there.”
“You sure about that?” There’s a hint of amusement in his voice. “The place where I am, it’s no place fit for the likes of you.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I snap. “Is this your way of calling me a prude? How about you save your breath? I already get the prude comments enough from your brother. I don’t need the school’s biggest red flag throwing that s**t in my face.”
“Whoa. Calm down,” he quips. “Alright fine. You can come. Whatever is happening, I can tell it’s bad if it’s got you this pissed. The sooner we can take care of it, the better.”
“Just share your location with me. I’ll see you as soon as I can.” I grumble and hang up.
Once I do, my phone starts ringing again, this time with an incoming call from Violet.
“Hi Vi. Sorry. You must have been trying to reach me for a while.”
“Don’t worry about it,” she assures me. “So, I reached out to Vince on the hockey team and he told me where Aiden’s at.”
“And where would that be?”
“Don’t freak out. Frankly, I was quite shocked when I heard it myself.”
“What? Where is he?”
- Writer
