Monsters' Crew (Crude Hill High 1)

My father stood up. “The only people in this world you can count on is each other. That’s your unit. Do not allow a woman to cloud your mind or to take you from your main goals. Remember, our rules. If her father is found guilty, she, along with her family, will pay for them.”

My father nodded at us, turned on his heel, and left.

It was the first time he’d ever been completely honest with me. I didn’t know if I liked it.

****

Emily

Caleb’s mother was very talkative. She wanted to know everything about me, including how I felt and what my intentions were for her son. I’d never been given the third degree by a mom before. It was odd, but I put up with it because there was no out for me. She’d been sitting beside me, offered me champagne, which I’d declined. There was no way I’d be able to come home drunk. My dad would have been able to find some reason to hurt me, and I always kept my senses.

Before she left, Molly had been sure to pass on the warning Caleb’s dad had advised. I wondered if the guys were okay. They looked surprised by him invading their time at the pool.

I pulled back my blankets and climbed into bed, feeling tired. My bedroom door was closed, giving me a false sense of privacy. I wasn’t allowed a lock. If my dad wanted to come and hurt me, he didn’t want to be hindered.

For the first time since the pain had started, the bruises had begun to fade. My skin was starting to take on its natural color and I also liked not having to deal with the blow of a fist.

A sudden knock on my window made me jump, and I quickly got to my feet. I’d drawn my curtains closed. I opened them up and saw Caleb outside my window. After flicking the catch open, I pushed the window up.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“I wanted to come and see you.” He climbed into the window.

Stepping back, I waited for him to get inside before I closed the window again. “Are you crazy?”

“Probably. Are you afraid?”

“No, I’m not afraid.” I locked the window and turned back toward him.

He wasn’t wearing a jacket.

His hand went to my face, tilting my head back. “Do you have any idea how beautiful you are?”

I let him touch me, loving the warmth of his hands on my body. After a few short seconds, I pulled away. “You’re going to get into trouble if you’re caught here.” I moved to my bed, sliding beneath the blankets. Caleb smirked and I had no choice but to move over as he wouldn’t budge. He kicked off his boots and slid beneath the blanket.

Lying back against my pillows, I watched him. “What’s going on, Caleb?”

“I like hearing my name on your lips.”

He looked so lost, and I didn’t like that. I didn’t know what had caused this sudden change with him, but I wanted to stop it. Reaching out, I put my hand on his cheek. “Tell me what is wrong.”

“If you were to die after giving us a child, what would you want us to do?”

I didn’t know what to say. I was sure I looked a little crazy as my mouth opened. “What kind of a question is that?”

“A simple one.”

“If I got pregnant?”

“Yes.”

“And I died?”

“Yes.”

Blowing out a breath, I moved away, putting my hand to my head and brushing away some of my hair. “This is all hypothetical, of course, but I’d want you to take care of my baby. No questions asked.”

“Even though that spawn had killed you?”

“Especially because it killed me. It’s not this imaginary baby’s fault, Caleb. You do know I expect all kinds of weird stuff, but this I think goes over the edge of what I can usually understand.”

His hand once again landed on my cheek. “I want to get you pregnant.”

“Whoa. Not tonight or any other night. I want to at least have a life first, if that’s okay with you.”

I didn’t know where any of this was coming from and I was a little confused. Hurting his feelings wasn’t my intention.

“You belong to us, to all of us.”

“I still find that surreal.”

We both tensed as I heard the sound of boots outside my bedroom door.

Caleb moved and it took a great deal of practice not to burst out laughing. My bedroom door opened and Peter, my brother, stood there.

“Hey,” he said.

“Hey.”

I wondered if Caleb had thought to move his boots. Sitting up in bed, I turned on the lamp and looked at my brother.

Peter stepped into the room.

I waited, not knowing what to expect.

“Are you looking forward to the party?”

“Not really.” That was the truth. Why would I look forward to something like that? “It’s a party.”