Chapter 22

Riley

Sunlight bleeding through the curtain is enough to make my head pound. Not in the kind of way where I need to go to the hospital, but enough to let me know that yes, I took a hit to the head last night. My hand reaches for the end table and nudges into a water bottle. I don't remember putting that there last night. Confused, I sit up and glance around, but there's no sign of Reign. The empty side of the bed looks as if it hasn't been disturbed. Very slowly I sit on the edge of the bed and swing my legs over the side, testing to see how my balance feels. Once I'm on my feet, and there's no signs of dizziness, I walk out of the room and head toward the living room.

"Reign?" I call out into the empty looking space and there's no answer. Shuffling my way into the kitchen, my eyes touch on the papers, post-its and other things from my last study session but no note. Frowning, I search for my phone and find it in my bag. Messages were left from Sam, Emma and a voice mail from Coach telling me to still come to practice if I feel up to it, but I wouldn't skate for the next week until cleared. I quickly message back my friends letting them know I'm fine before sending one to Reign.

ME: Hey, sorry I slept in on you. Are we still studying later?

Waiting, I tap the phone on my palm, trying to remember what happened before I went to sleep. I remember Reign being there. Glancing down, I can see I'm still in his shirt. I look at the phone and see that my message is still not read. Maybe he told me had practice and I just don't remember? Sighing in frustration I head to the shower. When all else fails, a hot shower works magic.

I let the hot water wash away the sting of yesterday's pain and the embarrassment of being taken out like that. I should have known having Reign there would cause more issues. I just couldn't believe these girls were so hell bent on ruining their reputations just to hurt me. My decision to hide our relationship status feels justified.

These thoughts follow me as I leave the dorms and head to class. The second my feet hit the main entrance my heart stops. Reign isn't waiting for me. I had become so used to him being there, not having him there messes with me. I feel eyes on me, other students passing by who usually go this way and are used to seeing us together. I am alone. And it shakes me to the core exactly how embedded in my life Reign has become. Not wanting to give the gossips fuel for their fire, I roll my shoulders back and walk into the coffee shop. I order the same drink as always, the one that lifts my spirits and awakens my soul for the day, my lavender latte. The lady at the counter eyes me warily when I hand her money, paying for myself, instead of Reign demanding she only take money from him. None of this feels right. None of it feels good. I take my phone out and look again. Still no text or call. I wrack my brain trying to remember if he mentioned why he wouldn't see me in the morning. This is our thing. This is the routine I am used to. Fuck, it's the ritual I look forward to, love, depend on because of him. I am so screwed.

Tears well in my eyes and I blink them back furiously. There's a reason. I know it. With my head held high, I walk quickly to my first class. Most of the seats are empty and only a few people look at me when I walk in and head over to the desk I usually occupy. Reign's desk is still empty, a sentiment that matches how I'm feeling. Empty. Void. Lost among a sea of vipers who have been waiting for the chance to strike. Everyone comes in one at a time while I sit and pretend to be relaxed, like I'm not waiting for anything.

The teacher walks in and fear starts to fill my chest. Did something happen to him? Right as the door starts to close, it's pushed open. My eyes widen taking him in. Reign saunters in, his uniform perfect, his hair fixed messily on his head, and he's smiling. He's smiling and joking with Carter. There's no blood, no anger in him. He looks…normal. My heart hammers in my chest as they get near. When he finally glances up at me, I freeze. His blue eyes look dull, disinterested. They look like they did before. Before our time here, before camp, before I ever challenged him. Without speaking, he sits in the desk next to me, like usual, and I sit there dying inside while he and Carter are talking and laughing.

Anger builds in my veins with a steady tempo of my heart rate. What is happening? And how dare he? What's happened in the past twelve hours to make him go from being a sweet and caring boyfriend, to barely looking at me. Something tells me the answers are going to shred my insides.

Tucking into myself, I manage to make it through class without throwing up from the pounding in my head, not my heart breaking. That's what I tell myself anyways. I ignore Reign, just like he ignores me. Dread builds and my fear increases to the point that I jump when the bell rings. Quickly, I stack my things and grab my backpack. I need to get out of here.

"Riley." Reign touches my hand, sending a jolt of heat right to my heart. My head whips up, eyes widening. "I have some things to take care of. Leif will make sure you get to your other classes. We'll talk at lunch, okay?"

I watch his lips move, his words rolling through my brain like mud. He's concerned. Treating me like glass with the easy touches, and having his friend babysit me, but distancing himself.

"Where were you this morning?"

He shifts on his feet and glances around at the emptying room. That mask is on his face. The one that screams to the world I don't care about anything. I used to think it was just who he was. Now I know it's a facade, something he uses to make a point of showing what is beneath him, and right now it's aimed at me.

"I'll see you at lunch," he says again, an air of urgency wrapped around his words.

I can't speak. I know I will end up arguing with him. Blood rushes to my face and thrums in my eardrums as he saunters easily out of the room with Carter just as they came in. Anger zips in my veins while I stand on shaky legs and practically run from the classroom. Leif is waiting, one foot propped over the other and on his phone when I get to the hallway. I don't make a noise or try to get his attention. Instead, I make my way to my next class, alone, giving Reign a big fuck you with my fingers in my head as I go.

Reign is missing from the next two classes, like he told me he would be, and sure enough, Leif has been a constant shadow. I'm not even sure I want to know how he pulled that off as we had no classes together previously. When the bell rings for lunch, I ignore all the looks I'm still getting, all the whispers, and keep my head held high. Reign is acting shady as fuck. I'm torn, with my heart wanting to believe he'll confide in me once we're together and things will go back to normal, while my head is shouting that I'm stupid and naive to believe him. It feels like I'm being ripped in two. Right as my feet carry me to the cafeteria entrance, my phone vibrates with an incoming call. The one person I need to talk to the most.

"Hey, Dad."

"Hey, champ. How is your day going? I didn't catch you at a bad time, did I?" My dad's gruff voice comes through the phone and I instantly smile.

"Nah, just on my way to lunch." I respond and walk back toward where the lockers are, hoping to find somewhere quiet. My dad's been off on jobs more recently, so when he can talk, the time is precious. "What's up?"

"I was just calling to check in. How's the head feeling?"

I had messaged him this morning to let him know about the incident. He wasn't happy I was hurt but he understood the game. "I'm feeling good. It doesn't hurt much and I've been moving around fine. Still can't skate until I'm cleared though."

"Well, that's smart," He grunts in response. "I'm glad you're feeling better."

"Thanks, Dad," I tell him, feeling a small part of myself become lighter.

"Oh, and hey, I got your message about the holidays. A trip to Michigan, huh?"

My chest deflates in the next instant. I had forgotten the voice mail I left and how happy I was thinking of spending time with Reign. "Oh, yeah, about that."

"I think it's great." He cuts me off. I can hear the lightness in his voice.

"You do?"

"It's Michigan, Ri. Opportunities like that don't come along often," he reminds me. The same speech he gave me before helping me pack my bags to All Saints Academy.

"It's not for me. I'm just going to support Reign. But I'm not sure if it's still happening or not," I tell him honestly. Reign's behavior today is throwing me off. There is a good chance he could be done with me today and that is what he wants to tell me at lunch. Even as my heart rejects the idea, there is still the evil voice of doubt in the back of my mind. "He might have changed his mind."

My dad is quiet for a minute. I glance at the phone to see if we're still connected. "Ri, I just talked to the kid yesterday. He seemed very sure this was still happening."

"You talked to Reign?" My brow rises and my words come out harsher than I had anticipated. I'm surprised and totally at a loss as to why. Why would Reign feel the need to call my dad and, what, chat like buddies?

"He called. He checks in from time to time, if you're busy. It makes me feel better when I'm out of town to know he has your back," my dad finally admits, his voice thickening with emotion.

"Dad," I start but lose my words. I've never spilled my feelings to my dad about Reign, except for that first time. The day he said he wouldn't see me anymore when he broke his leg.

"Ri, the best thing you can give yourself is hope. Let yourself dream a little. I'll see you for Thanksgiving and you have my permission to leave right after Christmas for Michigan. Take the opportunities, champ." Tears fill my eyes thinking about my dad spending the holidays alone.

"What about you?"

"I'll see you for Christmas still. I'm planning to take another out of town job and I can tell them that now I can leave earlier after the holiday. They always need people on Christmas Day," he assures me, making me feel a little better knowing he has a plan. But still.

"Dad…" I want to open up and tell him how confused I feel. How uncertain Reign makes me while also completely happy at the same time. I just can't stand making him worry. "I better get to lunch. See you soon."

"See you soon, Riley. Love you."

"Love you too," I reply before our call ends.

Pocketing the phone, I make the decision to shrug off the morning. I just need to see Reign again, and for him to tell me everything is alright. He touched me. He spoke to me. He's having me followed. Maybe he isn't done, but something bigger is happening.

When I get back to the cafeteria, Leif is still waiting for me. His head lifts and he eyes me quickly up and down before tilting his head toward the food line. I follow him, reaching for a tray.

"Don't be ridiculous, Conway. What do you want to eat?"

My mouth drops open and I glance at his hands. Sure enough, he has two trays ready. "Ah, alfredo."

"You got it," he replies, and loads up our plates. If that wasn't enough, he carries my entire tray over to our usual table. The second we're in the same room, I feel him. The air turns thick and crackles with energy. My gaze is drawn to him, my attention solely focused on Reign while he sits back in his chair, eating an apple. He feels it too, and his eyes search out his friend and then land on me next to him. Just like Leif, his eyes roam over me from my toes to my high ponytail, assessing to make sure I'm in one piece.

I sit next to him, my body stiffening when his leg brushes mine under the table. I hate that my hand shakes when I pick up my fork and it takes all my energy to concentrate on twirling the pasta around the prongs. They guys chat around me about their upcoming game, practice and what happened in one of Carter's other classes to a fellow teammate. Reign laughs and jokes with them like this morning didn't happen. As if he hasn't read my texts, or snuck out of my dorm, or put up this wall between us.

My fork clatters to my plate and I turn to face him. I'm done tiptoeing around this situation. It isn't who I am. "Talked to my dad, and he said our plans for the holidays are fine. I can go to Michigan."

The smile slips from his face, adding another crack to my heart. His jaw tightens and the other two quit talking, sitting in their seats, stone-faced.

"Now's not a good time."

"What does that mean? You don't want to go anymore?" I force myself to get the words out even while a flush is creeping up my face. It's one thing for this conversation to happen in private, another for it to be in front of his best friends, witnessing my embarrassment.

"I'm not sure what's going to happen. Just leave it for now, okay," he responds with zero feeling, standing from the table.

"You're leaving?"

He smirks and shrugs. "I won't be by the library tonight."

"Where will you be?" My tone bites, and I wince inwardly. I sound like an annoying clingy girlfriend that I did not want to be.

His brow rises and he leans toward me. "Since when do you care what I do? I wasn't aware I needed to report to the girl who doesn't want to be my girlfriend."

His words are a blow to my chest, stealing my air and causing so much pain. My gut feels flattened by the rejection in his words. "Never mind." I grit the words out as I force myself to keep eye contact with him.

Reign rolls his eyes. "A party."

A freaking party. Not that I expected him to sit around with me for the week while I heal from the slight concussion, but I did not expect the cold attitude or for him to worry about partying. My Reign, the guy who devoutly got me here and claims I'm his, would not do this.

"Have fun. Maybe I'll see you there."

Now it's his turn to look affected by my words. I watch fascinated while he looks around, something like panic crawling over his face before the resignation sets in. "Shouldn't you be resting like the good girl you are? Wouldn't want to hurt your head again after that little bump."

Little bump? Anger flashes through my insides and suddenly I'm not hungry anymore. Little bump. I took a hit from a girl who had her heart broken by him and decided to take her pain out on me. It was his fault for being so careless with everyone's feelings but his own.

With one last head nod, as if I agree with him or something, Reign stalks out of the cafeteria. Leif and Carter both follow, although Carter at least has the decency to glance back at me to see if I'm alright. I'm not. I can feel the walls around my heart being built back up. This time brick or mortar won't do. Reign already demolished them once. Oh no, this time they're being built up with ice. Cold, frigid, and immovable. I quickly take my phone out and pull up the girls' chat.

ME: Where's the party tonight?

It takes a few seconds but soon the dots are dancing.

SAM: Wherever we are. *smirking face emoji*

EMMA: I've got feelers on a Saint's party in the Garden. Looks like the invite is open.

The Garden was a fancy term for the mansions that cultivated one neighborhood on the Saints' side of town. Most kids who go to school there live in the Garden and that is why they don't need dorms or private apartments off-campus. It isn't the same neighborhood that Reign lives in or his friends. The kids who live in the Garden are mostly unchaperoned. Their parents preferring to jet set the world rather than be parents.

ME: Let's go. I'll meet you there.

I've been to parties before at the Garden. Granted it was usually to one-up Reign or he invited me in order to take a challenge. Tonight feels different. My heartbeat is hanging in the air around me. Emma has already asked twice what's going on, but I refuse to answer. I need to see it with my own eyes, hear it with my own ears, feel it in my chest that this magical fantasy with Reign is coming to an end. That is what this party feels like. The music, the writhing bodies, the people laughing while lounging in the hot tub outside, none of it feels happy. It feels like the end. Only this time I am prepared to walk away with my head held high.

"Looking good, Con-man," someone yells at me and the old nickname is a slice like a papercut across my heart. My hands fidget on the royal blue material of my long sleeve shirt.

"Well, fuck," Sam murmurs from next to me. Sensing the change in the atmosphere for the first time.

"Yup. Drinks it is," Emma adds before shimmying away toward the bar area. Because of course these rich assholes have bars open instead of coolers and a keg.

Running my hands down my ripped distressed jeans, I suddenly feel out of place, and I don't have Reign's eyes or hands on me, reassuring me otherwise.

"Don't fucking go there." Sam elbows me gently. "You look hot as fuck. If he's playing games, it's his loss."

"Thanks, bestie." I gently nudge her back. Emma makes her way back to us, three seltzers in her hands, and her face is pale.

"What happened?" I ask, my fingers grazing her arm.

"It's probably nothing." She shakes her head and slips a smile on her face. "Your man is back there. Let's go."

Sam and I follow her deeper into the house and soon we're close to the dance floor. A pool table is off to the side, and of course Carter is playing. Leif and Reign are holding court talking to a few other guys from the hockey team. I catch more than a few looks while Emma forces Sam and I to dance. I return the questioning glares with a raise of my brow. I've never been asked to leave an All Saints' party just like we don't ask them to leave Public parties. The vibe I'm getting tonight though is that everyone is surprised I'm here, that I'm not wanted.

"Oh, shit," Emma suddenly says and stops moving. Her face pales and her eyes widen. "He's so fucking done."

Sam follows her gaze, before her hands grip my shoulders, preventing me from turning around.

"What the hell, guys." I laugh, but it feels forced. Their looks of dread are making my insides quiver and tighten.

"I saw them earlier but I thought it was nothing." Emma leans into me, her teeth sinking into her lip. She looks worried.

I glance at Sam, and her green eyes look sad. She's heartbroken for me. "She's here. The player from the Rebels."

"What?" My head moves around and sure enough, there in the crowd, making her way to Reign and his friends is Brooklyn. The girl who was too scared to approach me to my face and instead hit me from behind, trying to ruin my season with an injury. She could have done a lot more damage to me. I was lucky to walk away without anything broken and only needing a few days of rest. I won't soon forget her. It is not on my bingo card to see her here tonight, her long blonde hair, sleek and falling down her back. Her black pants are so tight I swear I see the outline of her lady parts and the pink shirt she's wearing is so low cut, all but her nipples are visible. She is dressed to impress and heading toward my boyfriend.

My eyes lift. Then I see it. Time stops. Nothing before in my life prepares me for the feeling that comes when Reign's lips turn up in a flirty smirk for her. My chest feels ripped open. I might as well be bleeding all over the floor from the pain of seeing her perfectly manicured hand land on his chest. His eyes move from her hand to her face and he doesn't push her away. He doesn't stop her as she pushes him back on the couch so she is straddling him. I watch his hands come up, and land on her sides, spanning her waist. It's like another dagger slicing up my insides, cutting my heart out, and handing it to him. Brooklyn pushes her breasts against his chest, and grabs a fistful of his hair, while gyrating her hips on him, in time to the music that is blasting through the room.

Two things become very clear. At some point Reign and Brooklyn connected after I got hurt. She came here tonight for him. And, this isn't the first time she's treated him to a lap dance. She's giving it her all. I want to puke. I need to get out of here.

"Let's go, girl." Emma takes my hand in hers, and Sam furiously wipes under my eyes. I didn't even realize I have tears falling from my eyes or that I am crying in front of all of these people.

"Why?" I glance between my two best friends and the sympathy and rage on their faces, mix and swirl. It doesn't make sense. The Reign who has been creeping his way into my heart for months wouldn't do this. There's a reason. I know it.

I take my phone out and send him a text. Peeking around the barrier my friends are creating between him and me, I see one of his hands leave Brooklyn's side as he grabs his phone.

ME: Why are you doing this?

If I thought this was the low point, it didn't prepare me for him showing my text to Carter and Leif, and them laughing. Until he turns it toward her. She shakes her head and leans in, pressing her lips to his neck. Kissing him. And he's letting her. My phone vibrates.

THORN: Don't like it, see yourself out. You weren't invited, Pirate.

The air being sucked into my lungs hurts. Shards of ice fill my throat. My whole body shudders in pain. Her body shudders as well when Reign runs his hands down her back. Sam pulls me backward. "Come on, Riles." Her tone is soft and she leads me away.

Emma tries to smile for me, keeping her arm locked around my shoulders, attempting to block out the jeering voices and laughs of the crowd who just witnessed Reign's dismissal of me. I finally feel like the joke I had thought he was making me out to be. This has to have been the longest prank for him to keep up. And I fell for it all.