In Ruins: A Dark High School Bully Romance (A Black Falls High Novel Book 1)
In Ruins: Chapter 18

“I drove Rosalie here. You should take her home since you guys are neighbors.” Enzo looked between me and Fox.

I’d been sitting around for hours watching them play video games and pool. Ethan pulled out his calculus halfway into it, and I’d helped him with his assignment, feeling good that he seemed to be getting what I was explaining him. Even he looked excited if I had to gauge his feelings. Or maybe it was relief.

“Get your shit, Rosalie.”

“I got my shit, Fox. Thanks.” I got to my feet and grabbed my bag, waiting for him to further direct me.

“We’ll work on your audition tomorrow. We can pick up where we left off.” Enzo winked at me as he and Cole fist bumped.

A rush of excitement rocketed through me, and I ducked my head, not wanting them to know what they were doing to me. They laughed, making me think they knew exactly what they were doing.

Without saying anything more to me, Fox turned and walked toward the exit, which happened to be the walk-out door to the basement.

“Better catch up to him before he leaves you. If you stay here, we will definitely be pickinig up where we left off,” Cole growled, his eyes dark as they roved over my body. I hesitated for a moment which made him and Enzo laugh.

“Bad girl, Rosebud,” Cole admonished, that dark sparkle in his eyes I was growing accustomed to flashing at me.

“Rosalie! Now!” Fox shouted as he pushed the door open.

I rolled my eyes, but rushed after him, making sure to wave at Ethan on the way out who seemed to be finishing up his calculus with ease now.

The warm night air was a welcome relief as we entered the outdoors. I was able to clear my head for a moment. Fox moved to the passenger side of his Jeep and opened the door for me.

I gave him a surprised looked which he returned with his steely one. Knowing better than to confront him on it, I climbed inside and put my seatbelt on. A moment later, he was behind the wheel, the engine rumbling beneath us.

The silence in the car was deafening as Fox drove us home. Not feeling like arguing with him, I stared out my window for what felt like forever, my mind fixated on what the hell was happening to me.

“How has everything been?”

I peeked over at Fox whose eyes were still on the road. “Good, I guess.”

He snorted, shaking his head. “I guess I’d say so considering what I walked in on.”

“What the hell do you even care for?” I shot back, balling my hands into fists. “You guys wanted me to do your bidding. You were the one instructing me on how to give Enzo a blowjob! If losing my virginity to one of you assholes is the goal, then what are you so mad about?”

A muscle worked along his jaw. “That’s not how this works, Rosie.”

“Oh yeah? How about you tell me how it works then, Mr. Tormentor? Explain it to me.”

He shook his head again, not saying a word.

Sighing, I rolled my eyes at him. “That’s what I thought. You don’t even know how it works.”

Before he could snap back, his phone went off.

“What?” he snarled into it. His face hardened as he listened to the caller. “I said no, Juliet. I’m tired of having this same conversation with you.” He grew quiet.

Deciding the passing dark scenary beat listening to his conversation, I turned my attention back to the window. She was clearly upset and yelling at him. I couldn’t make out her words though. Then again, I didn’t give a shit.

Fox’s thundering yell had me jumping in my seat and then clinging to the handle on the door as he weaved off the road into the gravel and slammed the Jeep into park. My head jerked forward, a gasp of fright escaping me as my seatbelt caught.

Fox got out of the Jeep, slamming the door behind him, his phone still pressed to his ear. My pulse thundered in my ears as I tried to reel in my nerves. He paced in front of the car, one hand holding his phone to his ear, the other running through his hair in frustration. A moment later, he stuffed the phone into his pocket, his back to me. I watched as he hauled in a deep breath and stared at the sky.

My heart went out to him for just a moment before I snapped it back. Fox didn’t give a shit about me, so I shouldn’t care about whatever the hell was going on with him. There was this tiny pull in my heart though when he hung his head before getting back into the car.

I braved a peek at him as he manuevered back onto the road. We’d driven a mile or so when he finally spoke.

“I’m sorry I scared you.”

I wasn’t sure if I’d heard him correctly. “What?”

“I said I’m sorry.” He glanced over at me. “Are you OK? I saw the seatbelt caught you.” Something flashed in his blue eyes that I wasn’t even sure he was capable of. Worry and concern clouded his gorgeous face.

“Yeah. I’ll live.”

He nodded as we fell into silence again for a few minutes until words tumbled from my mouth I couldn’t help.

“Are you OK?”

“No,” he answered, not looking at me.

I bit my bottom lip, contemplating my next question. “Do you want to talk about it?”

He was quiet, his Adam’s apple bobbing. Just when I thought he was truly going to ignore me, he spoke. “Juliet hates you.”

“I know.”

He nodded before speaking again. “I hate you.”

“Gee, don’t sugarcoat it or anything,” I snapped, folding my arms over my chest.

He whipped the Jeep into his driveway and put it in the park. I moved to grab the door handle and get the hell out of there, but he was quick to grab my arm, stopping me.

“Let me out, Fox.”

“No,” he whispered, his gaze flitting over my face.

I tried tugging my arm from his grasp, but he tightened his hold on me. “Fox, stop,” I hissed, wincing as his hold became stronger. I glanced fearfully out at my house. All the lights were off which meant either my parents were out with the Mackenzies, their friends from down the street, or they were in bed. Either one didn’t help me.

Fear coursed through me as Fox released my arm only to grasp my face with both hands.

“They all love you,” he murmured.

I had no idea what he was talking about.

“Fox, let me go,” I whispered as he continued to study my face. “You’re hurting me.” That wasn’t a complete lie. His actions had been hurting me for years. And he was definitely terrifying me.

He shook his head. “I’ve been trying to, but I can’t.”

I tensed as he rested his forehead against mine. I didn’t move as he fumbled with my rubberband before pulling my hair from its ponytail. It fell around us, and he breathed out a shaky breath as his fingers tangled through the curls.

“What are you doing?” My voice shook.

“I don’t know anymore.” He moved his forehead off mine then planted a fierce kiss to the center of it, his fingers still in my hair. “I just don’t know.”

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