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Catch Me 23
I tugged at the white shirt before it thwaped right back into place, making Hannah giggle.“Come on, time’s a’wastin’, hot stuff.”I rolled my eyes. “Never. Again.”I felt my roommate grab my hand before we stumbled out into the hallway. With the music pumping and the strobe lights going again, it felt as if I had stepped out onto another planet. I squinted as someone shoved a drink in my free hand. I had on my only pair of heels, which somehow kept throwing me off balance. Maybe it was the effects of the light, or the fact that Hannah practically tipped the cup to my lips. But the more beer I chugged down, the looser I felt.“Need another?” she asked.I grimaced as the taste of lukewarm beer filled my throat. I forced myself to get it down, but I sure didn’t want another one. I tossed the red cup into the nearest trash can before Hannah started bopping around, dancing to the thumping music and reaching for yet another drink.One of many I presumed she’d already had.I looked up and d
Catch Me 24
“I don’t like the sound of this one, Max. I’ve heard Dad talk about a ‘Dean’ before.”“You think it’s the same one?”He nodded. “Absolutely. You know Dad. He doesn’t keep company much. So you know he’s gotten in with them somehow. And if they work for or with Dad…?”“They’re shit news.”“Yeah.”I growled. “Fuck.”“And it’s not a good sign that he wants your best men. That means this man is already in some deep shit as it is.”“You think I don’t know that?”He held up his hands. “Just making sure you do. I’d rather talk your ear off about it than you go in blind.”“I never go in blind.”He grinned. “Except when it comes to your women.”I rolled my eyes. “So what else is new?”He chuckled. “I’m serious, though. The way I’ve heard Dad talk about this ‘Dean’ guy? If that’s even his name? It’s big. He’s big, and he’s bad. Much bigger fish than the Red Thorns have ever gotten tied up with.”“What have you heard Dad say about this character?”“It’s not what I’ve heard him say, it’s when I’v
Catch Me 25
“Holy shit. You’re jealous.”“Jealous of what?”I grinned as Benji stepped between her and me.“You’re jealous of the girls Maxy-boy here had at the party.”Benji slapped his hand against my chest and I caught his wrist.“Easy there,” I warned.He giggled nervously. “Doesn’t change the fact that you’re jealous.”Daddy’s girl shook her head. “Nope. Not even a little bit.”“Face it. You like Max, don’t you?”“Nope.”“Oh, then maybe you like me.”I shook my head. “Nope.”Benji sighed. “Well, she’s obviously jealous. And that’s kind of cute, don’t you think?”Daddy’s girl glared at us. “I’m. Not. Jealous. I could never be jealous of a couple of college girls with no standards.”“What did you just say?”I placed my hand onto Benji’s shoulder. The boy was always much too fired up. Always ready to prove his worth. Always ready to jump down someone’s throat to prove he belonged somewhere he didn’t. It was entertaining for a while. Until it became too much.Like now.Benji leaned his head towa
Catch Me 26
I wasn’t here to fuck around at the Arcadia Invitational. I was seeded 17th in the Girls 300 Meter hurdles, and I was here to kick ass and take names.I looked to my left. Carly Richardson was the girl I needed to beat to get to the finals. Our times were milliseconds from each other. Our lanes were four and five, and I was ready to ignite like fire out of the blocks. Coach had told me that I didn’t have the acceleration to outrun her in the first 100 meters. I needed to outlast her in the last 100. I watched her jump, slap her thighs and sail through her pre-race routine. Her muscles rippled with effort.Okay. Enough bullshitting.I cracked my neck, did a couple jumps, high knees. Adrenaline pumped through my veins, visceral and real, and my heart rate was elevated. I took a couple calming breaths.Okay, Ophelia. I told myself. The official mounted. It was time to get into the blocks. I did another jump, feeling my legs quiver like jelly. I slapped them. No. Now was not the time for
Catch Me 27
“Don’t get smart with me, bitch.”I start to stand up, but before I can even register movement, her platformed heel hits my shoulder. Hard. I tumble down, my butt landing in the water. A sharp pain radiates up my arm. A breath stills in my throat as I pull my hand up, cradling my wrist.Great. Now I’m soaking wet and my wrist is sprained.“What the fuck, bitch?” I snarl, pulling myself out of the ditch. She’s shorter than me by a couple inches, and I’ve got at least twenty pounds of muscle on her. She doesn’t look as intimidating now. Her blue eyes, still haughty, flash with momentary fear. “What’s your problem?”“Vivian and I are just needing to clean up the white trash in the street,” she snaps. “So next time you go running, make sure to watch where you’re going.”She turns on a heel, stalking back to her car.“Who the fuck do you think you are?” I call after her. My wrist throbs. Goddammit. I’d just gotten over a thigh strain, and I was looking forward to running without pain for o
Catch Me 28
“You know who I am,” Emmett says, sitting on a desk in front of me.“Who are your cronies?” I jerk my thumb to the idiots who dragged me into this room. My body aches from their manhandling.Emmett whistles softly. “You don’t know much about us, do you?”“I’m Vincent,” says the football-looking guy.“Trey,” the blonde guy adds.“They’re fraternal twins,” Emmett offers, carefully watching my face. I don’t know what he expects from me, but he’s disappointed I don’t react more. He sighs. “My, my Ophelia. What are we going to do with you?”“Let me go?” I grind out. I play with my hands like an idiot, struggling to maintain my composure. I can’t let them know they’ve got to me. Bullies thrive off fear. “Like, obviously?”“Oh, we can’t do that.” The ominous tone in his words... It’s down-right chilling. My heart rate spikes as he slowly stands up. “You’ve gone too far.”“I don’t see how,” I say.“Oh, you don’t, do you?” says Vincent, crowding in on my personal space. His legs brush my knees
Catch Me 29
“You got a hall pass, sweetie?”My throat is mute. Before I can form a remark, my feet are sweeping past her and I’m speed-walking down the hallway. I keep my eyes to the ground. Walk. Walk. Walk.“Oh my god, did you see her face?” comes a high-pitched squeal.Nope nope nope.I pivot on my heel and race back to the bathroom. I slide in, almost startling the sweet lady as she exits. Taking refuge in my stall, I pray that I mistook the voice.“-but like seriously, it was like beet-red and totally fucking hilarious,” says Vivian.My soul crashes to the tiled floor. Just my fucking luck.I can’t hold my tears back any longer. Unbidden and vicious, they pour down my cheeks. My face’s screwed up, and I try to hold back my sobs.“Good, she’s like, super ugly.” Bernadette has a distinctly higher voice, more nasally. “And such a slut. Like, seriously, what fucking blowjob lips.”There’s some ruffling around, and then Vivian takes the stall next to me. They continue talking. My feet are pulled
Catch Me 30
The kid suddenly looks greedy, and he’s looking at my chest like I’m the last cheeto in the world. “Boobs, under the bra, thirty dollars.”“Nah, I think he can touch them for free,” Vincent whispers in my ear like we’re conspiratory partners. “What do you think, Ophelia?”“Over my dead fucking body,” I snap.I struggle violently, putting all my weight and strength into freeing myself. One of my wrists gets free, and I twist around. I will fight until my very last breath. I must have surprised Vincent though, because his dull eyes are widened. My foot comes up, connecting with his crotch, and he hisses in pain. He lets go of my other wrist, and I take off running down the hallway.My feet slap the tile as I pick up speed – I race past doors and lockers and dodge other people. When I look back, Vincent is nowhere to be seen. My breaths are sharp and frantic – Vincent was going to help that kid assault me.What a sick fuck.* * *The rest of the day, I’m propositioned by at least two oth
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