Page 4 of Web of Lies
My long blonde hair falls down my back, hitting below my shoulder blades. Chase’s lips twist in amusement more at my dry remark. All the while, he memorizes the curve of my neck. Hopelessly searching my chest and body like a dog with a desperate bone. I try not to let his searing gaze burn through my skin and set my insides on fire with a bone-crushing desire to please him. I’d be another conquest to him. I sure as shit wouldn’t give a womanizer like Chase my virginity.
“I suppose I haven’t before. Are you a senior?” He asks, tossing the football from one hand to the other.
Oh—he’s fishing for information now. Hmm. Now, what should I say? Hmm. Ah, I’ve got it! Nothing.
“I am,” I say with a slight nod.
His eyebrows shoot up like he’s expecting me to ask the same. But I don’t. I bite my tongue. Because the thing about silence is, it drives people to talk more. And when people talk more to fill the silence, they tend to spill their secrets.
“Looks like I’ll be seeing you around then. I’m a senior too. All of us are.” He points back to the twin footballers staring in our direction.
Pawn number two and three’s moss-green eyes penetrate my soul from far away. Okay, not really—from this distance, I feel naked under their watchful eyes.
Seger and Zeppelin are identical in every form of the word. They are dressed alike. They both have long hair on the top of their heads and shaved on the sides, with the same shade of brown hanging over their foreheads. But still, having studied them for over the past eight months through a computer screen, I can tell the stark differences from here. Different moles, different scowls, and unique body languages tailored to each distinct personality. And Seger’s tattoos help, too. Ink splatters his entire body in detailed pictures.
The most influential player of all slides her glasses down to the tip of her nose. Her crystal blue eyes zone in on Chase and me, studying us closely. She’s calculating my every move as an unknown player on her chessboard. Seeing if I’m a threat to the well-established kingdom she’s fortified around her. I might be a fresh piece on her board, but soon I’ll knock this queen down, and I’ll be the only queen standing. My pawns and my kings will be down, and I won’t come crawling back for more.
“Cool,” I say, with a tight smile, as I assess my newest victim more. He returns my smile tenfold, showing his perfect white teeth.
“I’m Chase, by the way. Chase Benoit.” He cocks his head to the side and studies my unmoving face with scrutiny. This must be his move to reel the ladies in. Dropping his last name like it’ll drop my panties and make me spread my legs wide enough for him to slide inside.
“Good to meet you, Chase,” I say simply, holding my indifferent mask in place.
My heart pounds against my ribs. My mind turns in circles, screaming at me to react. It wants me to freak out at who he is and beg to meet his father again or get his autograph this time.
My dad may be famous in the romance, erotica book world, but Chase’s dad? God. His dad is an acting legend. More than a legend! He’s the most sought-after action star on the planet. Chase’s father, Tate, got his acting debut on the set of my father’s books turned movies. Tate was the star in every sexy adaptation. Think alien king meets sexy slave, and you have my father’s books in a nutshell. So, Tate, bless his sexy abs, had many, many sexy scenes. And his son? He’s not lacking either.
I’m in trouble.
Chase doesn’t remember yet, but we’ve met before. Behind the scenes many, many years ago. We shared a moment in the dark after a rousing game of hide and seek—my first kiss.
He laughs a little as a red tint takes over his cheeks. “Man, that usually gets at least a little reaction. So—uh—what’s your name, New Girl?” His eyes light up at the thought of getting anything from me. Ah….and there it is. A name. A way to find my secrets. A way to move ahead in the game he’s playing. Not today, sexy man; you’re still my suspect.
“A name holds a lot of meaning,” I say with a cheeky grin. Taking a step back, I offer a little wink instead. “It was great to meet you, Clark. I’ll see you around.” His face falls at the realization but quickly masks his disappointment with a lop-sided grin.
“You played me, New Girl. I won’t stop until I find out that name of yours. A beautiful name for a beautiful girl, I’ll bet.” With that, Chase stalks off with a pep in his step and a football in hand, returning to his little game of catch with his best friends in tow.
“What the fuck, Man?”
“Who was that?”
“New girl. Hot girl.” Chase responds to the identical twins.
Their eyes cut to mine, burning through my soul like venom burning in my veins. I planted the seed of want in their minds, sprouting their curiosity. They’re suddenly interested in who I am and where I came from. All in good time, boys, because soon, you’ll wish you never met me. I walk back towards Callie as she crosses her arms over her chest.
“You better be careful here,” Callie says, narrowing her eyes on the boys walking away.
“I will be,” I say in a flat tone.
“Cover your tracks, don’t let these assholes sniff around. Money talks, Kace. If they can cover a suicide up, they can do anything. They’re rich and desperate to keep their secrets covered up. I know this school, Kace. This isn’t something to mess around with.” Callie licks her lips, eyeing every building on the grounds.
Every old-fashioned brick building holds tight to buried secrets within its walls, and I will unearth them. I will bring down this establishment brick by brick and bury its ashes in the dirt.
“Don’t worry. I swear, I’ll be careful.” I turn towards Callie and take her hands in mine, squeezing.
A burning sensation on the side of my head flares to life, making me cringe. Callie drops her hands, turning back to my mom, who’s been on the phone frantically yelling at her PA for screwing up. I turn my eyes and find the queen on her feet, sauntering over to my pawn twins. She eyes her brother, Chase, and leans in to talk to them. Her eyes never leaving mine.
There’s not a single doubt in my mind that by Monday morning, when classes start, they’ll all call me by name.
