Badly Behaved

Three to four ‘hang outs’ was all I allowed.

The first is an ice breaker, a fun and flirty night where you size up your companion. The second, when things go well, makes the curiosity rise. The third, sexual tension builds, and the fourth, you either give in to it or go home.

Either way, after that, you only see them again in groups, because that moment you go for the fifth, they want a quiet night in, with a movie to make things more personal.

That’s not my vibe.

My mom always says you reap what you sow and it’s true.

My family knows firsthand what happens when emotions take control, which is why I take after my mom and cut them from the equation.

It’s the exact reason my parents’ plan is perfect for me.

To hide the heart is to salvage the soul.

I learned that from my real father, and he didn’t even have to be here to teach it to me.

“You’re awfully quiet, Trouble.”

“As are you three.” I look to Beretta in the passenger seat. “Don’t pretend you want me to annoy you by asking where we’re going, all so you can say ‘you’ll see’ or ‘wouldn’t you like to know’ or something else along those lines.”

His grin is widely idiotic. “I like you.”

“Yeah.” I nod. “You constantly being in my face sort of hinted to that.”

An easy laugh escapes him, and he and Arsen share a small smile.

Ransom looks my way, so I give him my attention.

He holds my gaze steady for a long moment before he holds a vape pen between us. I make no move to accept, so he pulls it to his lips and looks away.

I have no idea what I’ve gotten myself into by leaving school with them today, but it’s definitely not the smartest thing I’ve ever done. I’ve already done it though, so there’s no point in dwelling on it.

All I can do is sit back and enjoy the fresh air.

We’re on the road for well over an hour and when they finally pull over, it’s onto the side of a long, winding, deserted road overlooking the ocean.

Beretta tries to grab my bag as we climb out, but I keep it tucked tight to my side. He laughs as the three lead me down a stairway of cement steps, half hidden by overgrown poppies. They curve to the right at the end, leading us toward a beach cave.

I slow, running my eyes along the spongy-looking rock arch, the opening, the shape of a gemstone; the inside, a shadowy pit of who knows what. There are a lot of these around here, different shapes and sizes, in various lengths from the ocean, some even half full of water.

The guys trek up the small trail to the entrance, turning toward me, and while it looks different from one to the next, humors marked on each of their faces.

Their premature judgment is misplaced but understandable.

I’m wearing solid white and my heels cost more than all of their shoes combined. My hoops are large and solid gold, and yes, visually speaking, I can’t deny I’ve got full-on spoiled, rich girl vibes, but I like to think that’s only at first glance.

That’s not who I am... but I can’t expect them to know this.

I slip my shoes from my feet and climb up as they did.

I’m pretty much check-marking each and every line on the long list of ‘never dos’ by walking into a dark cave on an isolated beach, off a deserted road, with three guys my friends claim are crazy. Yet here I am, being a dumbass.

As I approach, the stereotypical expressions I had thought I first spotted reveal their true selves, and surefire grins curl their mouths.

Beretta slides backward, pushing his body into Arsen’s chest and Arsen’s arm comes over his shoulder. “Lead the way.”

I turn to Ransom, who has yet to look away.

He glides closer, tugs my hair tie from my head and watches as my self-made curls fall around me, his middle finger flicking along the strap of my shoulder bag.

“She ties her hair back without a mirror, lets her silk soak in the muddy sand, and carries her own things.” His tone is low, intensely sarcastic, yet somehow not mocking. “What kind of social princess are you?”

“Hm.” I tip my head, playing along. “Wouldn’t you like to know.”

Beretta’s knuckles brush my collarbone as he seizes a long lock, wraps it around his fingers, and gives a gentle tug. “I sure as fuck would.”

I don’t turn his way, and Ransom’s haughty smirk grows.

Making sure his chest brushes mine, he slips past me into the cave.

I follow behind, maneuvering around the narrow entrance, and my eyes widen with surprise.

It’s not as dark and desolate as I imagined, but, in fact, quite the opposite.

A large diamond-like opening at the surface’s top allows the afternoon sun to illuminate the space. Giant tree trunks, both cut and carved, are scattered all around, two creating a couch-like shape, the others offering simple stump-style seating. In the middle, a hole was dug, a deep cast iron crescent embedded there. It’s lined with large stones, ashes speckled in the center as proof of recent use.