20. Rhys

It’snotthefirst time a guy has hit me, but it’s been a while since someone has struck me that hard. It’s been long enough that I’ve forgotten how fucking bad it hurts. Marcus’ punch was jam-packed full of rage. I know it wasn’t meant for me, but it doesn’t make it hurt any less. And I mean that in both the physical and emotional sense.

The thing is, I know how much he’s going to beat himself up for this. And why? Because I’m a slut. Because I fucked his mate. Not just one of them, but two of them with the third mate definitely an accomplice in giving me an orgasm. Fuck. I hate this about me. It’s toxic and always ruins a good thing. I tried to warn Marcus. I told him I wasn’t good for him. Why the fuck wouldn’t he believe me?

“Rhys, are you ok?” The concern in Tyler’s voice is out of place for the role he’s meant to be playing. My teacher, Mr Foster.

I nod, hating that I’m crying. Crying! Fucking hell, now everyone will have seen Rhys George cry. It’ll be the talk of the school. Well, that and the fact that I’m fucking every guy. Yeah, Marcus only knows about Shaun, but the gossip mill will turn it into everyone who has a dick. No guy is safe. By the time tomorrow hits, the rumours will say that I’ve fucked every pimple-faced teenage boy in this school.

“Oh my god, Rhys.” Lexi falls to her knees on my other side, ignoring Mr Foster as she looks at my face. I try to bite back my tears so I can lighten the mood. I fucking hate this sort of drama. Give me fun, scandalous drama that doesn’t involve me, and we’re good. But not this shit.

“Do you think the bruise will match my Purple Passion nail polish?” I try to smile, but I fail at making Lexi laugh.

Shit, I’m losing my touch.

“Can you stand?” Mr Foster asks, and I risk a glance at his concerned blue eyes.

“I’m fine.” I snap. “Shouldn’t you be helping Shaun?” I sit up and look over to see Shaun has his shirt off, holding it bunched to his nose, blood oozing everywhere. Garrett and Simon are talking to him quietly, which doesn’t seem to lighten the dark expression furrowing his brow as he looks from me to Marcus.

“He’s ok. The duty teachers are on their way. We need to get you up.” Mr Foster tugs on my arm, and I let him pull me to stand.

My eyes catch Marcus’ then. He’s on the other side of the courtyard. Ayden has him pinned up against the wall while he talks in his ear. Even though he’s a good distance away, I can see the hate in his eyes. He hates me, and shouldn’t I be happy about that? Isn’t that what I wanted? For him to get the message that we couldn’t be a thing? He sure as shit knows it now, but fuck if I don’t want to run over to him, hug him tight, pepper kisses over his face, and tell him I’m sorry.

Tears fall from my eyes again. And fuck me, I’m a mess. Cin is going to send me back to the Retreat for sure. I’ve fucked up so bad. Hell, she’ll probably decide to wipe her hands of me once and for all and send me back to the group home. And shit, if that thought doesn’t rip my heart wide open.

It’s hard for me to pay much attention to anything as Lexi tries to comfort me while students stand around with their phones out, recording my demise. Fuckers.

When the other teachers arrive, we are led away in three different groups to the main office. I know what will happen from there. We’ll receive medical attention and wait for the principal’s wrath. Because I have an in with said principal, I know how things work. The teachers will keep us separated. That’s so we can’t get our stories straight and also to make sure the fight doesn’t start up again.

Marcus is in the front group with Mr Thompson, Ayden, and Jared. Shaun is in the next group with Miss Dice, Garrett and Simon, and I’m in the last group with Lex and Mr Foster.

Most students worry about going to the principal, getting in trouble, having their parents called, and punishment handed out. For me, my principal and parent are one and the same, and I couldn’t care less about the punishment.

It’s the disappointment that I know Cynthia won’t be able to hide that I’m terrified of. The moment she realises that her foster daughter is the reason behind the fight that has torn two friends apart and probably even divided a friendship group, is the moment she’ll realise I’m not worth all the trouble I’ve already caused.

Ugh, I can’t bear to see her disappointment.

Since Marcus is the least hurt, he gets put in the Vault, an all-glass room designed to provide no privacy and full supervision. Shaun, still bare-chested and covered in his own blood, gets taken straight into the school nurse while I’m put in a small interview room off to the side of the main office.

“Lexi, would you mind waiting outside for a moment, please?” Mr Foster asks, and she frowns, probably knowing what he’s asking is unusual, but when I offer her a small smile and nod, she nods back and waits out in the hall while Tyler closes us in the small room.

Taking a seat at the table, I keep my eyes cast low. Does he hate me too? For what I am? For what I’ve caused?

“Rhys?” Tyler whispers, and I glance up through my wet lashes. “Please tell me you’re ok.”

Shit. I wasn’t expecting the care in his tone. I know we have a thing. A sex thing. But we don’t have a care thing. Do we?

My bottom lip wobbles as a few tears pop free again, and I shrug.

“Shit.” He squats down so we are at eye level. “Baby, don’t cry.”

Baby?

“You’re going to get busted,” I whisper, reminding him of what’s at stake.

As if on cue, the door flies open, and both our eyes dart up to see Cynthia barrel into the room. She glances briefly at Mr Foster, who is next to me, but her focus is fixed on me, emotion I wasn’t prepared for swimming in her panicked eyes.

“Rhys. Are you ok?” She cups both sides of my face, her eyes boring into mine, making me feel even more vulnerable. Then my lip starts having a fucking seizure. I go to nod, but then, oddly, I let honesty fall free and shake my head, bursting into tears.

Cin’s familiar, loving arms pull me to her, and I cry into her chest, accepting the safety she is offering. Her hands rub my back as she whispers over and over that everything will be ok, and I let myself believe her words, even if I know deep down that it’s not true. I want to believe it. I really do. But how can things be ok after what I’ve done?

Eventually, I calm down and separate myself from my foster mum and notice that we’re alone in the room. Tyler must have ducked out while I broke apart like a fragile child. I bet that little scene is a wake-up call to him. A reminder that I am a child and he isn’t. I wouldn’t be surprised if he asks Master Hill to be removed as my sponsor. I can’t even let my mind go to that right now, though, not with Cin’s dark eyes assessing me like she’s trying to read my mind.

“I’ve been given a brief rundown of what happened, but I need you to tell me, Rhys. Not as your Principal. As your mum.”

I can see that my principal isn’t here right now—just a worried mum. So, I give her my honesty again.

“You know I was seeing Marcus for a while last term?” When she nods, I continue, “Well, obviously, I told him we weren’t a thing. Just casual.” She frowns at my words, not because she doesn’t understand, but because she does understand. She knows what I mean, and she knows why. “He’s had a hard time accepting that, and if I’m being honest, so have I. I really like him, but…”

“But you think you can’t remain faithful to him.” Cin finishes for me, knowing much more than any regular mum knows about their daughter’s love or sex life. There’s no point in hiding what I am from her. The only thing I hide is Vixen’s Lodge. Oh, and that Julie has been contacting me.

“I knew the moment I started seeing his mates as possible… hook-ups, that I couldn’t keep seeing him. And it turns out I was right. I didn’t go looking for them, Cin.” I plead, hoping she doesn’t think I deliberately set out to ruin their friendships. “They came to me. Well, except for Simon.”

Her brows shoot up. “They? Simon? I thought we were just talking about Shaun Bossier?”

My shoulders drop. “It was Shaun first, then Simon, then kind of Garrett. I don’t know about him, but Marcus only just found out about Shaun.”

“Does it have anything to do with that horrid thing on your neck?” She wrinkles her nose.

“Don’t act like you’ve never had a hickey before, Cin.” I tease, and she grins at me.

“Yes, well, you need to learn how to hide things like that, Rhys.”

I grin back. “Any pointers?”

Cin shakes her head.

“Right so, Marcus has figured out you and Shaun have been together, and now here we are.” She waves her hands around. “Is that right?”

I nod.

Right before my eyes, Cynthia transforms from my foster mum to the principal of Fox Pines Catholic College.

“Ok, so how did you end up getting injured?” She asks.

“I tried to help Shaun, but when Marcus swung a punch at Shaun, it got me instead because I got in the way.” I clutch each side of my chair under my thighs, “Marcus didn’t mean to hit me, mum. Please believe me. He’s not like that. He’d never deliberately hit me. Ever.”

Cynthia’s face goes red. I’m not sure why and I watch in confusion as her eyes well with tears.

“You… called me mum.” She whispers.

Did I?

I think back to my words. Marcus didn’t mean to hit me, mum.

Oh wow. I did too. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or not. What if she doesn’t want me to call her mum? Sure, I’ve been with her for a few years now, but that doesn’t mean she wants me to call her mum.

“I-I’m sorry.”

She frowns, “Why?”

“I don’t know. I guess I’m not sure if you want me to call you that.” My voice lacks any confidence as I stare up at my foster mum.

“Rhys, I’ve been waiting for three years for you to call me mum.” A tear rolls down her cheek.

“Oh.”

Oh? Oh, is all I can say? Seriously, did Shaun and Tyler fuck all my brain cells away last night?

Cynthia smiles and pulls me into a hug, wrapping her arms around me in one of those mum hugs that only a mum knows how to do. We stay like that for a long while, mother and daughter having a moment together before we eventually break apart. Cin leaves then, sending Lexi in, who sits with me for the next forty minutes as I quietly explain to her what I told Cin… my mum. I leave out Vixen’s Lodge but admit to her about the photo lab with both Shaun and Simon. I tell her about Garrett confronting me, but I leave out that part where he called me out on my sex addiction. Then I tell her about the bathroom incident with Garrett.

By the time I’m done, Lexi’s mouth is hanging open, and I’m sure she’s about to dump me as her new best friend. Then she surprises me.

“Have you ever seen a therapist or someone like that about your sexual activity?”

She’s starting to put two and two together. I could get defensive and deny it, but I did that last term, and we had an awful argument. It killed me that we weren’t speaking for a while. I don’t want to keep things from Lexi, so I know it’s time to be honest with her as well. Shit, today has already been full of confessions. Why stop now?

“Yes. I see an addiction therapist for my sexual activities.”

Lexi is quiet for a moment as she takes in my words, and then her shoulders drop as she relaxes.

“It makes so much sense now.” She admits. “You told me you couldn’t have just one partner. That you can’t commit. It’s because you have a sex addiction, isn’t it?”

I nod, feeling a weight lift at having her know my truth.

“And Marcus doesn’t know?”

I shake my head. “No. The only one that figured it out is Garrett. And you.”

“Are you going to tell the others?” Lexi asks, but I shake my head.

“It’s not their business. Although maybe, if Marcus ever talks to me again, I should probably tell him. It’s just… hard. It’s my ailment. It’s private. I’d prefer people to just think I’m a slut.”

“Rhys, no one thinks that.” Lexi’s words make me laugh.

“Oh, Lexi, stop. I am what I am. If people want to hate me for it, then I don’t care. Well… except for those who matter.”

“And who’s that?”

“You. Marcus. Your pack, basically.” I admit, referring to the guys as her pack, which I named them last term after they wouldn’t leave Lexi’s side.

“Wait! Do you have a thing with Jared, too?”

I could be a bitch and tease her and ask her why she cares if Jared and I have anything going, but now isn’t the right time.

“No, Lex. Jared isn’t on my radar.”

“Why?” Lexi looks surprised.

“Well, because honey. He only has eyes for you.”

She cringes at my words, and I giggle.

“He’ll move on one day, right?” She whispers, and I can tell it’s a real worry for her. She cares about Jared, just not in the way he cares about her. She only has eyes for Ayden, and Jared will have to accept that eventually. I hope, so I nod, trying to look reassuring.

When Cynthia sets me free, she asks Lexi to go back to class with Ayden, and I sneak into the nurse’s office to see Shaun before I face the music, so to speak. The music being Marcus… if he’ll talk to me.

When I enter the small medical room, Shaun is lying down with an icepack to his cheek while Simon and Garrett talk quietly, sitting next to the bed. Three sets of eyes land on me when I click the door shut, and I suddenly wonder if I’m even welcome in here. I caused all this chaos. I’m the reason there’s a divide.

I don’t have to worry for long because Simon stands and rushes to me, throwing his arms around my shoulders, dragging me to his chest.

“I was so worried.” His words are quiet, but in this small space, there’s no way Garrett and Shaun didn’t hear them.

Because I’m weak and unable to stop myself, I hug him back, feeling my vulnerability come back to the surface. I feel safe here in Simon’s arms, but I also feel like these three guys can see right into my soul.

“I’m ok,” I say quietly, and he pulls back, his hazel eyes darting between mine. Then he reaches up to glide his thumb gently across the bruise forming on my cheek.

“I’m going to kick his arse for hurting you like this.”

My eyes soften as I take in the rage on Simon’s face. It’s strange to see since he’s usually playing the role of the class clown, and his features are normally full of mischief.

“No, Simon. It was an accident. I got in the way. Marcus would never hurt me on purpose.”

“I’m not sure I care. Look what he did to Shaun.” Simon’s face contorts painfully as he glances back at his mate.

“You know why, though, right?” I glance from Simon to Shaun and then Garrett, trying to see if they have revealed the truth to each other.

Simon shakes his head. “It doesn’t make it ok for him to do that to his mate.” Simon points angrily at Shaun, and once again, I feel so God damn guilty.

“Doesn’t it? He’s just learned that his mate betrayed him.” I shake my head, taking a moment to swallow down the lump in my throat. “This is my fault. Don’t hate Marcus for reacting. He had no idea, and he feels deceived. Rightfully so. I’ll tell him everything. And for that, I’m sorry, because I’ve probably ruined all of your friendships. I should never have sucked you into my world.”

“No, this isn’t just on you.” Shaun groans as he sits up, mumbling past the icepack. “It takes two to tango, and I’m not going to apologise for the way I feel about you, Kitten.”

My eyes widen at his use of my Feaster’s name.

“Kitten?” Simon asks, and I panic.

Shit. What do I say?

“It’s my pet name for her.” Shaun shrugs. “She’s my Kitten.”

“Shit.” Garrett curses, scrubbing a hand through his brown waves. He knows about Vixen’s Lodge because Shaun told him about it, but Simon has no idea.

“Your Kitten?” Simon asks. “You gonna share her, Bossi, or do I have to swing fists too?”

“Oh my god, no!” I cry out, moving to block Simon’s path to Shaun, holding up my hand.

“I’ll share her if she wants you, Hastings,” Shaun says from behind me, and I turn back to see the smirk on his battered face. Shit, Marcus really did damage. “Hey, come here.” Shaun lifts his hand out to me, and I go to him, unable to stop myself from being near him.

“I’m ok, Rhys. I’ll probably look even hotter with a few scars.”

I roll my eyes. “I’m so sorry.”

And here come the tears again. FML!

Shaun reaches up and sweeps them away as they fall and then tugs me closer as he swings his legs over the side of the bed, situating me between them, hugging me to him. His bare chest is smeared with dried blood, but I don’t care. I need to feel him close and have his scent wrap around me.

“It’s ok, Kitten. This was always going to happen.” He strokes my head, and I wish more than anything that I could take these stupid fucking buns out and feel his hand in my hair. That hair is only for private moments and Feast nights, though, and right now, there are two other people in the room.

Eventually, I pull back to look into Shaun’s steel-grey puffy eyes, hoping he can see the honesty of my apology there, too.

“Kitten.” He whispers, “I know you’re not a relationship girl. I get it. But I can’t stay away from you. I’ll share you if I have to.”

“You’d be ok with that?” I glance back at Garrett, remembering the chat we had on Tuesday night. He told me that maybe I could find someone that would be happy to have an open relationship. Did he speak with Shaun about that? Is that what’s happening here?

With a finger under my chin, Shaun directs my gaze back to his.

“I’m pretty sure I’d do just about anything to have you in my life, Kitten.”

Well, fuck. I want that too.

Shaun leans in, hovering his split lips over mine, with our eyes locked. I feel like he owns me in this moment, and anticipation lights my heart on fire as he closes his eyes and presses his lips to mine. I’m conscious of his hurt lips, so I kiss him gently, brushing mine over his, using my tongue to glide against his.

When a throat clears, I reluctantly pull back to see Shaun grinning past the swelling on his face. Then his eyes dart over my shoulder as a warm body presses against my back.

“I hate to break up this little love fest you have going, but I’m pretty sure I just heard your old man’s voice out in the hall.” Simon’s words are quiet next to my ear as he leans in close. Shaun nods and releases me, letting Simon wrap his arms around me from behind.

“Simon says it’s time to go.” He whispers in my ear, and I grin. Cheeky fucker.

“Call you later, man.” Garrett fist bumps Shaun and follows Simon and me out the door just as a man, who I can only assume is Shaun’s dad, rounds the corner with the school nurse.

My guilty eyes dart to the floor as we pass him, and he grunts an unhappy hello to Simon and Garrett. Then he disappears into the room we just left.

Is Shaun about to get into trouble with his dad? Surely his dad won’t blame him for Marcus’ actions. Right?

The Vault comes into view when we round the corner, and Marcus’ eyes land on us. His nostrils flare, and I’m not sure if his anger is directed at me or Simon and Garrett. I know I need to come clean to him, so I stop and turn my back to him, not wanting to see his scrutiny while I talk to Simon.

“I need to tell him the truth, Simon.”

He nods. “Yep. I know. It’s ok. I’m not going anywhere without my bodyguard.” Simon slaps Garrett on the back, and Garrett grunts unhappily.

“I’m sorry. I never meant for this to happen.” I say the words again because I’m wracked with guilt.

“Stop apologising. It is what it is, Rhys. Bossi was right. It takes two to tango. You’re not in this alone.” Simon shoots me a wink before walking off, but Garrett holds back.

“You gonna say I told you so?” I ask, and he frowns.

“Nope. Not how I roll.”

I nod. “Well, thanks for trying to stop things from happening.”

He smiles. “Nothing was ever going to stop the three of you from coming together, Rhys.”

I shrug. “Could have been four.”

That gets me a grin. “Stop. You’re in enough trouble.”

Then I watch as my big brute walks off. I shouldn’t call him mine. I know that. But if anything, he’s my friend, so yeah. Mine.

I take a few seconds to steady my racing heart before spinning on my heel and facing a fuming Marcus Grady behind the glass walls of the Vault. After I approach the room with his eyes locked on me the whole time, I crack the door, only to flinch.

“Get out!” Marcus hisses, and I realise how unhinged he looks.

Shit. I don’t like angry Marcus.

“I need to speak to you.”

“No! Get the fuck out of my life!” He storms forward, his dark hair in disarray falling over his blazing eyes, making him look like a mad man.

My breath catches as I stumble back a few steps, and from my peripheral, I see the office lady stand from her desk, but I keep my eyes trained on Marcus.

“You need to hear the truth first, and then I’ll leave you alone.”

“Oh right, so you wanna tell the truth now that you’ve been caught? Is that it? Wanna make yourself feel better?” Marcus growls as he looms over me, but fuck him. He hasn’t even given me a chance to say anything.

“You know what Marcus, you are going to hear what I have to say,” I sneer, stalking forward and making him back up, “Firstly, I need to remind you that never once were we in a relationship. From the start, the start Marcus, I told you it was casual, and that I didn’t do serious. You were the one who caught feelings. You were the one that wanted more. If I sleep with someone else, no matter if you know them or not, it doesn’t make it ok for you to act like a thug who has a claim on me!”

When his face reddens with more anger, instead of stepping back like a sane person, I take a step forward.

“Yes, I have been sleeping with Shaun. And while I’m revealing my bed partners, you should know that Simon and I have hooked up once as well. Hate ME all the fuck you want, but don’t you take it out on them like they have been having an affair with your girl. I have never been yours, Marcus. I am nobodies.”

“And why is that Rhys? You going for the world record to be the biggest slut on earth?”

I can’t help my reaction. I slap his face. Hard.

I rarely care if someone calls me a slut. But I fucking care if he does, which hurts because I know it means I care about him more than I should.

Marcus’ head whips to the side, and he slowly turns it back to me, his chest heaving as he struggles to remain in control.

“I need you to know the truth about why I’m like this,” I whisper, hoping to calm him so I can tell him everything. Marcus isn’t calm, though. He’s practically frothing at the mouth, ready to explode.

“GET OUT!” He screams barely a centimetre from my face, and it’s so loud that my breath catches in my throat, choking me as I stumble back.

Hands grab at me from behind, dragging me out of the room right before Marcus lifts a chair and throws it through the glass wall.