Tough Shit (Rejects Paradise 1)

“There’s a difference between it feeling right and actually being right.”

“Babe, come on. I’ll try harder. I swear. I saw how much the Carmen bullshit hurt you. I could never do that to you again.”

My voice falls to barely a whisper as I struggle to get the words past the lump building in my throat. “You see, that’s just the thing Nic. When you’re with the love of your life and you’ve found the woman of your dreams, you shouldn’t have to try. The need to cheat wouldn’t be there, not even the temptation because I would be all that you need.”

“You are,” he murmurs.

“I’m not, Nic.”

“You know I would go back and change it if I could. I hate that I hurt you.”

“I know you would.”

There’s a comfortable silence between us as the heaviness of our conversation sinks in and with every passing second, it becomes easier to breathe. It was six months ago, yet it still hurts so bad. It was a betrayal that I wasn’t prepared for. I hadn’t even considered it especially from someone who loved me the way Nic had. I thought he was my end game.

“Alright, girl. Dad’s calling. I gotta go. I love you.”

“K. Love you too,” I say before ending the call and letting the phone drop to my chest.

I miss him so much already. I didn’t think it would hurt this bad. I miss them all. The boys finished high school a few years ago but every afternoon they were there, unless Kian had them on a job. They would either pick me up from school or show up at my now non-existent home. My afternoons were always full, but right now, I’ve never felt so alone.

As if on cue, the text messages start rolling in.

Sebastian – Wanna fuck? ;)

Kairo – What’s the fucker’s name?

Elijah – How tall is this guy? Stocky or skinny? Just working out what size rock I’m going to need to sink his body to the bottom of the ocean.

It all becomes clear. Nic didn’t have his dad calling. He needed to call the boys to start research on Jude and in doing that, explained what’s been going down this afternoon. That fucker. The boys are going to be relentless now and if I don’t start responding, it’s only going to end up with them on the Carrington’s doorstep. I can only imagine the look on Harrison’s face when he opens the door to find my boys. Fucking priceless.

With a heavy sigh, I get busy replying to Sebastian.

Ocean – Hell yeah. Only if you hit it hard and fast. You know I like it rough!

Next up, Kai.

Ocean – Figure it out yourself. I’m not helping you guys. Tell Nic to back off. I’ve got this.

Then finally, Elijah.

Ocean – When you work it out, minus the weight of his dick. That’ll be gone by the time you guys get to him.

Their responses start rolling in and suddenly the heaviness of Nic’s phone call starts easing off my chest.

Sebastian – Wait. What? Are you for real?

Kairo – Come on, pretty girl. Just let me hurt him a little.

Elijah – That’s my girl.

I spent the rest of my afternoon starting on the shitload of work my teachers gave me to catch me up to the rest of my class while texting with my boys. I know this was all Nic. After instructing them to find out what information they could on Jude, he would have told them to blow up my phone so I couldn’t think about it. Though, considering I didn’t say which of Colton’s friends barged into my room, I’d be smart to assume that Nic now has background files on Spencer, Jude, and Charlie. It shouldn’t be hard for him to figure out which friend it was.

At some point, mom shows up at my door and after unlocking it, she just stands there, watching me with my pile of books. I can’t say it’s something she’s ever seen from me before but at the same time, I have this weird need to prove myself at this school. To them, women are nothing, just a hole to stick their dicks in each night. Right now, I’m proving them right.

I need to stand up for all womankind at this school and show them that we’re a force to be reckoned with. I won’t be failing my exams, I won’t be behind the guys, and I sure as hell won’t shy away.

It’s after 9 pm by the time I come falling back through my bedroom door. Mom wanted to stay down in the staff kitchen, learning every aspect of her role so it was just me at dinner with Colton and Charles. Awkward as fuck doesn’t even begin to cover it.

Dinner was dangerously silent. I felt that if I had said a single word, they would have ended my life on the spot. So instead, we just ate, not without the casual scowl from Colton of course.