Chapter Sixteen

There are only a few days until formal and I’ve been super nervous about asking the guys if they would go with me, as my dates. I left it until the last minute and feel terrible. I had to confirm first that we could bring outside dates. The guys have been undecided about going to theirs because only students can attend. I asked my father last night if he could make a call and find out if the guys can come to mine.

I’ve been sitting in the kitchen for about ten minutes now, drinking coffee when Carter walks in and grabs a box of cereal and milk plopping down beside me.

“Any memories coming back yet?” I shake my head as he sighs. “Mum thinks you need to go back to the hospital. Maybe they can help get them back.”

“Over my dead body am I going back.” I snap.

“I told her that, but it doesn’t help that you broke it off with Sebastian. The old you understood how important family business connections are.”

“Well, we could fix all of that easily.” he muses, shoving a spoonful of muesli into his mouth.

“How?” I question.

“We could get married,” he murmurs. I choke on my sip of coffee I just took, spitting it all over the island.

“You’re my brother, that is all kinds of messed up.”

Carter laughs. “I’m your stepbrother.”

I turn to look at him. “No one thought to tell me that, and mum?”

“Stepmother, yours and Milo’s mother died when you were a baby. Dad met my mother when we were one. No one told you because it’s not something that we even think about anymore.”

“So why would you want to marry me?”

“To protect you. Mum can’t have you committed if she is no longer your guardian.”

“And what’s in it for you?” I ask because there is always something.

“Because I want in with our uncle but he doesn’t want me because I’m not blood. I have ideas that could see me take over for dad and our uncle, making me the richest and most powerful.”

Before Carter can say anything else, Dad comes around the corner, spotting us sitting at the island. “Good morning. It’s nice to see you two together again.” he says as I frown in confusion. Together again, what does that mean?

“Morning Dad. We were just catching up before I head off to school,” Carter says, standing and putting his bowl on the sink. “I’ll see you at school sister,” he winks at me and walks off.

My father flicks back on the coffee machine and turns to me while he waits.

“I called the principal this morning and he has agreed that your friends can come.”

“Are you serious? That's amazing.” I jump from my chair and give him a hug. For the first time since I have been back it feels like home. He pulls back and smiles.

“I have missed you,” he says, kissing the top of my head.

“So Carter just told me that he’s my step brother,” I say but it comes out as more of a question. I refuse to mention the marriage part. It will never happen, so it isn't worth the conversation.

“Yes, I guess he is. I didn’t keep that from you on purpose. Carter is my son even if he isn’t biologically mine and I love him as if he is my own. It just never crossed my mind.”

“I get it but it would have helped me with a sense of my identity. I feel so disconnected from my life as Bristol. The only part I actually connect with is my uncle’s and I don’t know why it feels that way. Every connection at school feels forced except with Chloe, but we weren’t friends before my accident.”

“Maybe it’s because Milo was close to my brother. You two spent a lot of time together, so I think deep down you’re still holding onto that.”

“I suppose you’re right, I’m just so scared that I’ll get my memories back and forget all of the new friends I’ve made. I don’t want to go back to being that person. I can feel it here,” I say pointing at my heart, “that that’s not who I really am.”

“I will let you in on a little secret. You have always been this girl. The girl who wears the mask at school and social events wasn’t really you. It was a way for you to connect with your mother and fit into that world. With me, your uncle, Milo and even that small-time gang banger, you have always been sweet and caring. I’m very confident that you will be fine.”

“Thanks dad, I really appreciate that. I should get to school before Carter comes looking for me.”

He smiles and waves me off as I head to the garage, dreading what my day at school will be like.

***

The day drags on and I’m so ready for it to be over. I sent a text to the guys that I want to do a group call at lunch time. When the bell rings at the end of class, I send Chloe a text that I’ll be a few minutes late to lunch. I make my way to the back of the science building, a few stoners hide here to smoke but other than that it's quiet and perfect for what I need to do.

I hit dial on our group chat and all my guys' faces come up on the screen smiling widely at me. I smile back in awe at how damn handsome they all are. How the hell did I manage to get this lucky?

“Hey good lookin’, what’s been cooking.”

I laugh at Rocky. “I wanted to ask you all something but I understand if you can’t. It’s late…”

“Just ask JD, you know we would do anything for you,” Mercer says.

“My formal is on Saturday night and my father just got you all an invite. I mean if you wanted to come.”

“Of course we want to come,” Rory answers for the whole group as all of my other guys nod their heads.

“But what about tux’s? This is going to be fancy.”

“Honestly, we already have them for ours, but we decided not to go.” Levi replies.

“And my dad was so upset when we had told him we weren’t going. He is going to lose his mind when he finds out.”

“Should we invite your parents to watch us walk down the red carpet? I know it’s a really long way but I’m sure I could get them all a room somewhere. My father keeps pushing for me to spend his money.”

They go to protest but Rory beats them to it. “Stop trying to argue about money. Her father would be offended if she didn’t spend it. It’s just how it works. We will get them there if you can organise the rooms.”

“You just try and keep my dad away. I hope you’re ready for the steam train Carson.” Mercer says and the guys laugh.

“Do you think he would want to help me get ready?”

“I think he would be honoured and cry a lot. I’ll send you his number. Call him.”

“Thanks guys, I’ll talk to you after school. I have to go find Chloe and see who she is bringing.”

They all say goodbye and I hang up the call.

“You know that isn’t going to work.”

My head snaps up to see Sebastian lurking around the corner.

“Maybe, maybe not but it’s none of your business.”

“He isn’t going to like that.”

I don’t wait around to be the firing end of his abuse. Who isn’t going to like that? Who is he? I keep it in my mind to corner Sebastian somewhere safe, not behind a building where no one could find me for hours. That’s if anyone even realised I was missing. Look how long it took for my own family to come and get me.

I cut through the school and out to the courtyard, it’s starting to get cold now and I pull my school blazer closed.

I see Chloe sitting with my old group of friends; I take a seat beside her and try to catch up on the conversation. The girls are all talking about formal, their dresses are a huge deal and no one is revealing what theirs look like, for whatever reason, I’m unsure.

“Who are you taking to formal now that you’re not with Sebastian?” Ambrosia asks.

“Some friends,” I say, not because I’m ashamed of my guys but because I don’t remember how close I was to any of these people.

“Friends,” Sebastian scoffs as he joins us. “Don’t you mean your new boyfriends?”

“Gasp, shock, horror,” Clarissa laughs. “Don’t any of you judge. Every single one of us is screwing more than one person and it’s usually behind their backs. At least she has the guts to do it out in the open. Get over it already.”

“Whore.” Lydia mutters but tries and fails to cover it with a cough. I raise my brows at her. She is the last person who can judge me.

Everyone at the table laughs at her. “I’m pretty sure it was you who was screwing her boyfriend behind her back, so you need to look in the mirror before calling her a whore.” Chloe says, which has Lydia throwing her a murderous glare.

“Shut up nerd. Bristol has taken you on as a pity project. Just wait until she stabs you in the back and you realise all of this is an act like we all know it is.”

Chloe looks down and her cheeks go red.

“Fuck off Lydia, the nerd is okay to stay, she’s pretty cool.” Carter snaps and it makes me wonder if he has a split personality. He seems to change how he acts every day depending on what is happening around him.

Everyone here is about connections and I wonder why no one has befriended her sooner on that basis alone. Chev isn’t welcoming so a connection wouldn’t be made with him. Maybe she was smarter than that and knew so she kept herself hidden.

Lydia huffs and gets up, her small posse follows behind her, not before throwing nasty comments Chloe’s way.

“Don’t listen to them. If their parents weren’t rich as fuck they wouldn’t sit here with us.” Clarissa says, pulling Chloe into a hug. I’m still not sure what to think about Clarissa yet, she is definitely a wild card. She isn’t a typical rich girl, yes she spends all of her father’s money, but she also has a very wild personality. She doesn’t pretend to be something she isn’t.

When the bell goes we all head our separate ways. I don’t have anyone in my last class and it’s peaceful not having to deal with the bullshit and politics of being rich, I just melt into the background and get on with the class.

As soon as the school day ends I decide to go and pay Echo a visit. I don’t know how much I can trust him but he seems like a man of his word. The Eastside isn’t too far away from where the school is and the drive is easy. I didn’t tell Chloe I was coming because I need to talk to him in private and don’t need him distracted.

I pull up into his driveway and thankfully there isn’t a party going on. I make my way to the front door and knock.

Mossy answers in a pair of boxer shorts, it looks like he is only just now waking up. “Hey B, what’s up?” he says motioning for me to come inside.

“Not much, just needed to talk to Echo. Is he home?”

“Check his room. I’m going back to bed unless you brought Chloe with you,” he smiles. When I shake my head, his smile falls and he walks away, leaving me to go to Echo’s room.

After making my way through the hall, I knock and open the door. Hoping I don’t find a naked Echo or worse, a girl in his bed. As I push the door open thankfully he has on a pair of cotton shorts and is alone. I take a moment to appreciate the ink that covers his back.

“Are you going to say something or stand there and check me out.” he says lazily.

“I wasn’t checking you out asshole.”

He rolls to his side facing me and laughs. “Sure you weren’t. What can I do for you?”

I shut the door and his brows raise. “Ew no, not that.” I say at his cheesy grin.

“You will always be the one that got away,” he sits up and pats the bed beside him. “Seriously though, what’s up?”

I take a seat beside him, fidgeting with my hands. “I don’t know who I can trust anymore but you seem like a man of your word. I wanted to ask you something but I need your word that you won’t run back to my uncle.”

“You have my word B, unless you plan to kill him and then I need to have his back.”

“I don’t plan to kill him,” I laugh. I couldn’t kill someone even if I wanted to, that’s why I doubt that I killed my own brother, it makes no sense.

“Do you know much about my extended family? I’ve been doing some research and I know I have a cousin named Arden.”

Echo laughs. “That guy is something else. I met him once, he’s a germaphobe and splashes cash around like it’s no ones business. He is your mother’s brother’s kid. Your mum came from honest to god money. Though you guys weren’t close, after your mum died your father pulled away from that side. I don’t think it was intentional, but there were too many memories for him or at least that’s what Milo used to say.”

“What’s with the sudden interest?”

“I found out today that Carter is my stepbrother…”

Echo laughs and I whack his bare chest. “Don’t laugh at me. I have no memories, remember?”

“Shit, I thought you knew. You and Milo are so different to him, I didn’t think that needed explanation and he’s creepy as fuck.”

“Don’t I know it. He asked me to marry him.”

“He what?” Echo booms sitting up straighter. “I hope you told him to fuck off.”

“He said Shandra wants me to go back to the hospital to help me regain my memories and offered to help me out.”

“If you need someone to marry you, I would do it.” Echo offers.

‘That makes me laugh. “No offence, but I highly doubt anyone would agree to that.”

“True that, but if you get desperate and need my help I’m here. Now tell me that you brought your sexy little friend with you.”

“I hope you’re being good to her, she’s fragile.”

“She drives me crazy B. I know she loves that loser stepbrother of hers and even that runner and usually I would break a motherfucker’s legs to get what I want but when she is with me none of that matters. Even Mossy has a thing for her. How does your gang work?”

“It’s not a gang Echo. Technically according to google it’s a reverse harem and I don’t know how it works, it just does.”

“Are you banging all of them? I only ask because how do I not kill them for touching her when I get pissed off?”

“I wouldn’t advise you do that, unless you want her to hate you. Talk to her and be honest about how you feel.”

“Hmm, Mossy I could deal with, even that Mac kid, he is decent looking but Chev, I can’t get behind that.”

“You do know you don’t have to be in a relationship with them or fuck them right?”

He sighs with relief. “Thank fuck. I’ve been trying to figure out if I could suck another guy’s cock and come up short each time.”

I laugh my ass off and shake my head. “You must really like her to have even considered that.”

“So true, but I still think gang sounds better.”

“Call it what you want, as long as you’re all happy.”

“You’re a good friend B. If you ever need anything -short of killing your uncle- don’t forget that I’m here for you. If you want to kill anyone else I’m down to help and dispose of the body. I may have a few ideas up my sleeve.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” I say standing. “You’re one of the good ones.”

“Don’t go around telling people that,” he jokes with a laugh.

I head back out to my car and wave to Mossy on my way out. Once I’m buckled in I hook my phone up to the Bluetooth and decide to call Carson as I drive. Just as Mercer said, he was super excited and I can’t wait for him to help me get ready. I don’t know how Shandra is going to take the news but I honestly don’t care. By the sound of it, the old Bristol was a way to get her to love and accept me. Now it’s her turn to accept me and if she doesn’t like it then that’s her loss.