Page 138 of Web of Lies
Carter’s body heat pours into my back. “I’ve got eyes every-fucking-where. If anyone tries something physical, they won’t leave here with their necks intact.” His warm breath cascades over my neck.
“Why are you protecting me now?” I whisper, keeping my eyes locked on the boys who watch our exchange. Carter runs a hand up my ass, making me jump from surprise. My eyes widen when he squeezes my ass in front of them. “What the hell,” I grumble, swatting his hand away, but that does nothing. He keeps his meaty hand firmly planted on my ass, staying as close as possible to me.
A deep, throaty chuckle vibrates from him, and he rolls his eyes. “Just working them up,” he says, nodding to the boys who by now are shaking with frustration. But they can’t move from their line. They’re stuck on display with the rest of the football team. “If it was them and if they think they can fuck with you, then this is their warning. I’m in your court now, baby,” he whispers in my ear, goosebumps plumping every inch of my skin.
“My corner? Are you?”
“Not so fast, Sweetheart. We have to take this very, very slow. There are eyes everywhere.”
I frown. “Then get your hand off my ass,” I say, stepping on his toes making him spew curses. And then he laughs again.
“And this is why I can’t get you out of my fucking head. You don’t take my shit, ever,” he growls through a predatory smile like he’s about to pounce on me in front of everyone. I roll my eyes and cross my arms.
The pep rally goes on for a few more minutes, everyone cheering. Shaw proudly reads the boys’ stats over the loudspeaker. Chase beams with pride at how well he’s done. The number of touchdowns alone is impressive, even to me. I cheer him, yell his name as loud as I can, catching his attention. He smiles at me, sending me a secret thumbs-up.
“You have a watcher,” Carter grumbles into my ear, pointing me to the lone figure sauntering towards me, oozing fake confidence.
With a haughty stare, she crosses her arms over her chest, watching Chase and I’s exchange with deep-seated disgust. Narrowing her gorgeous blue eyes, she turns on her toes, giving a slight nod to someone on stage. In a matter of seconds, Shaw’s speech cuts out. His eyebrows furrow and he taps the microphone a few times before turning away. He talks excessively with his hands in a heated argument with another staff member. Everything in the room stops as another sound spills through the speakers. A familiar sound—something I’ve only given to three people, and they’re standing on the opposite side of the room. My cheeks heat, tears filling my eyes. They didn’t. They didn’t. Panic swirls inside of me like a violent storm. Keep cool, stay calm, and you’ll figure this out. My back stiffens when Ainsley turns around to face me. Carter slinks off into the shadows, covering himself under the bleachers, but keeps himself close.
“You think they liked you?” She sneers, pointing toward the obscene moaning noises coming from the speakers on the walls.
Not just any moans—no—they’re my moans. The same cries I used when I gave myself to them for the first time in Chase’s bedroom, the night I tried to pry him out of bed. Their voices ring through the recording too. Seger’s voice. Zepp’s voice. Chase’s voice. Their deep groans of pleasure. My moans. Seger’s voice drifts through the speakers again, asking me how much? My voice replies, twenty-five dollars, but it’s angry. And I know I said it, but I can’t place it. It’s not in this context. There’s something wrong with it. The recording makes me seem like I’m whoring myself out to the masses, offering anything for twenty-five dollars. The gym erupts in murmurs and laughs from the entire school. Some guys holler my name, asking where I’m at. Girls murmur about what a whore I am, that I already have three of the hottest guys in school. Can’t I keep it in my pants? Isn’t three enough? My ears ring, bringing my focus back to the red-faced girl standing in front of me.
“You think they really wanted to be with you?” she spits with venom in her eyes.
My heart pumps in my chest when my phone number is read over the loudspeaker in a distorted voice. This followed by, call for a good time. Over and over, my moans coast into my ears. Their voices. My voice. My moans. Their moans. Over and over, it never lets up. Even Shaw is scrambling to stop it from proceeding.
My wide eyes slip over to the boys, and my heart falls into my stomach. Is this what Carter had warned me about? Did they record me so the entire school would think I’m a whore? Chase’s eyes widen in a panic when he stares over at me, shaking his head. The three of them try to push through their coaches. But their coach stands in their way, keeping everyone in line. I dart my eyes to the other two, and they’re shaking their heads frantically, looking nervous and worried about me.
“They did this,” Ainsley sneers again, getting into my face. “They set you up. You thought they liked you. You’re so pathetic. You probably thought they loved you too. They used you. Your disgusting body. Everything about you to pass the time. You mean nothing to them. Absolutely nothing.” My throat tightens up at her words, chest burning with anxiety. I gave everything to them. Everything. But… but… Think, Kaycee. Think about this, rationalize what she’s saying. Deep breath in. Deep breath out.
“But did they?” My voice quivers, tilting my head to the side. With a deep, soothing breath, I match her stance, arms crossed over my chest, popping my hip out, staring her down.
There’s a panic in her eyes, and she shakes her head. “Of course, they did! They set you up this whole time!” She shrieks, stomping a foot. Tears leak out of her eyes, the frustrations of our conversation getting to her.
I peer up at the guys from across the auditorium one last time with glossy eyes. Seger’s fingers curl into a tight fist as he spews obscenities at his coaches. Zepp murmurs in his ear, holding him back, but keeps his concerned eyes on me. And Chase’s face has fallen, his fingers curling into a pleading gesture, begging me to believe him. They aren’t smug-looking or boasting.
“Then why aren’t they here gloating about it?” I ask, taking a step forward. “Why aren’t they laughing at me? You know what I think, Ainsley?” She frowns more, shaking her head, more tears falling down her cheeks. “I think you’re jealous. Did I take your friends from you?” She sniffles, shaking her head again, stomping her foot onto the ground. “That’s what I thought. Good try. It’ll take more than dick pics to bring me down.” I lift my chin and slip away. My phone buzzes non-stop in my leggings as I walk out of the loud gym into the hallway. My head spins when the fresh air of the hallway hits my face.
“It wasn’t them,” I say, feeling Carter stare burning into my ass.
“Yeah,” he grunts, keeping his distance as we walk outside.
“It was her,” I say again, and he grunts in response, coming to my side.
“Of fucking course, it was her. You could see it written all over her sad, pathetic bitch face.” He wipes a hand down his face, following me toward my apartment building.
“But why?” I ask, turning toward him abruptly. “Why would she do that? And then….” My face falls. “She blamed them, saying they did it. That they set me up this whole time, but I could tell by the look on their faces…”
“Un-fucking-fortunately, I could tell too. They wanted to race over and hold your ass like I was.” He sniggers at that, earning an eye roll.
“You think you’re hilarious, but you’re not. I’ve seen what Seger can do to you. You’re not untouchable.” He scoffs, pulling me toward my apartment building.
“Yeah—well, how many of those assholes are texting your fucking phone. Sounds like you’re having a happy time in your pants.” He grunts, throwing me into my apartment building like a rag doll.
I frown, walking toward the stairs. “Don’t know, don’t care. I just need some time to think about this.” Rage builds inside my stomach, swirling like a violent storm ready to explode. If she thinks she can get away with this and get off scot-free, she’s mistaken. I’ve taken down a teacher, tamed a wild man, and claimed three souls, all in a few short months. I think I can handle an entitled little bitch.
Carter nods, crossing his arms across his chest. “Go to your fucking apartment, lock the door, and just—stay the fuck put, would ya?”
