I Despise You: A Dark High School Bully Romance Page 16

  But Chase is quicker, and he slams the back of the gun against his head. His father tumbles to the floor, his eyes closed.

  “Call the cops now,” Chase says.

  I nod, surprised that my fingers aren’t shaking when I dial the number.

  The monster is going behind bars as he deserves, and he’s never going to ruin another life again.

  Chapter 31

  I WAIT IN THE HALLWAY to see if Chase will show up. After his father was arrested, he had to stay to give statements and finish some things, and I actually went home for a week because my mom lost her mind when she heard about what had happened.

  I barely managed to convince her to let me go back to school. I haven’t talked to Chase all this time, and I miss him.

  But once he appears at the end of the hallway, I lose him from sight in an instant because everyone surrounds him.

  Most of them are asking questions they shouldn’t be asking. Some are taking photos with their phones. Others are sneering and glaring at him, as if he’s no longer good enough for our school.

  After the scandal, his father’s associates and partners pulled out of their projects and contracts, and it turned out Chase’s father didn’t have as much money as he pretended to have.

  His whole business empire crumbled, leaving only a huge debt. I’m still surprised at how quickly everyone abandoned the sinking ship, but I guess it was to be expected. No one’s afraid of the Campbells anymore.

  I try to catch Chase’s gaze, but he doesn’t look my way as he pushes through the crowd. His shoulders are slumped. There are dark circles under his eyes, which are filled with sadness.

  I follow him, and the crowd finally disperses when he enters his room and closes the door. I wait for a few moments for everyone to leave, and then I knock on the door.

  There’s no answer, so I try the door handle. I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t feel like there’s something really off about Chase.

  Since the door is unlocked, I gently push it open. I poke my head inside, but I can’t see him. He must be in the bathroom. I decide to wait for him, but I see the bathroom door is cracked open.

  Common sense tells me to stay away and wait like a normal human being, but I can’t help myself and inch closer.

  Chase is leaning over the sink. My heart falls when I see a pill container next to his arm. He doesn’t notice me, and I don’t say a word as I watch him.

  His hand closes around the container and he stares at it for a few long minutes. After popping open the lid, he dumps the pills into the toilet.

  I’m so proud of him that tears fill the corners of my eyes. I don’t want to be a creep anymore, so I knock on the door.

  “Hey,” I say.

  He spins around, his eyes widening, but he relaxes when he sees me, a smile popping out on his lips.

  “The doctor who saw me after gave me some pills. He didn’t realize I used to be an addict since no one’s supposed to know.” He waves the empty container. “I admit, I was tempted for a second.”

  “But you’re stronger than that.”

  “I guess.” He tosses the container into the trash can. “I didn’t know if you’d want to see me after everything that happened. If you hadn’t come with me—”

  “No.” I lift my hand up. “No talk about that. I’m glad everything turned out the way it did. We’re alive. Your father’s in prison, and he’ll stay there.”

  His smile fades. “There’s more about my father. It’s going to hit the news tomorrow.”

  “More what?”

  “More videos. He raped more women. Blackmailed some to stay silent. Threatened others. The cops told me there’s a video of my mom too. They explained how he got to Kayla too. They said he was in the area on business, which I knew because he got to the school way too fast, but I had no idea he was at the club.

  “I guess he was looking for his next victim, and he saw Kayla and me. He followed us, and I just went out of the room for some reason and he snuck in. He raped her and killed, and snuck back out before I got there. When I returned, I was too out of it to notice anything and fell asleep. Maybe I thought she left because it was dark and I couldn’t see her because her body was on the floor behind the bed. The reason he messed with the footage from the club was because he was in it.”

  “I’m so sorry.” I wrap my arms around him. “I know this is very hard for you, but your father’s going to pay for everything.”

  “Yeah. He already had to watch everything he’d been building for years getting destroyed. I can’t say I’m not glad about it.”

  “But you’re back at school, right?”

  He nods. “The fee has already been paid, so I can stay. I don’t know what I’m going to do next. I never wanted my father’s money anyway, but if he hadn’t stopped me from doing things on my own, I would have something now instead of nothing.”

  “Hey, maybe you can talk to the principal. It’s still not too late to get back in the race for the scholarship, especially considering everything that’s happened.” I feel like he needs that scholarship more than me.

  I’ll figure something out.

  “No. That’s yours. You fought for it, and you deserve it. I’ll figure something out. I already messed up and lost the only thing that truly mattered.”

  “What’s that?” I cock my head at him.

  “You.” His eyes meet mine.

  “Maybe you didn’t.” My voice is barely a whisper.

  “I know you still want me to be your friend, but I can’t be your friend, Liliana. I love you.”

  A soft gasp escapes my throat.

  I have a decision to make.

  This one time, I want to listen to my heart.

  “What if we can start over?” I say.

  Surprise flickers across his face. “After everything I put you through?”

  “Yeah. A second chance. But I have conditions.”

  “Anything.” He catches my hand in his.

  “I want to take things slowly and figure out how I really feel about you. I also want to feel safe with you. If there’s ever a moment when I no longer feel that way, it’ll be over between us for good. So yeah, I’m willing to give you a second chance, but I can only give one. And I hope you’ll keep seeing your therapist, because you’ve been through so much, and I want you to be happy.”

  Even though I suspect my feelings for him are even stronger than I want to admit, I have to look after myself too and can’t get carried away too much, too easily.

  “I agree,” he says, bringing my hand to his lips, and kisses my knuckles.

  I’m so happy I can barely contain myself.

  Chapter 32

  OUR LIVES RETURN TO normal very soon. Chase and I go out on dates, we study together, and we binge-watch TV shows together.

  I like every moment that I spend with him, and I feel safe around him.

  We’re going to go to prom together too, of course. But first, we have to learn the traditional dance. It’s a special dance that some guy who founded our school came up with ages ago, and it’s done every year.

  Unfortunately, until prom, we can’t choose our dance partner for practice. The teacher has divided us into small groups, and I end up dancing with some guy.

  As we practice, the guy’s arms are around me and he smiles at me. I smile too because we mess up the steps very often, and I really hope I’ll manage to learn how to do it right in time.

  I’ll totally have to ask Chase for some more practice.

  Speaking of Chase, my gaze lifts and I see him across the room. He’s standing in the corner and watching me, probably because his group is next, so he’s come here a bit earlier.

  My shoulders tense only a little as I’m briefly reminded of that time when he freaked out on me at the club, but now, he just waves at me and smiles.

  I smile back at him, and when the dance is over, I go over to him.

  “Hey.” I let him pull me into a hug, and then I press my lips against his.

  I
can feel his surprise, but he kisses me back, his lips moving against mine with passion. This is the first time we’ve kissed after our breakup.

  “Why now?” he asks.

  “Trust and confidence look so good on you,” I whisper into his ear.

  He pulls me in for another kiss. “Can you stay and watch my group dance?”

  “Sure.” I rub my nose against his.

  I TAKE A LOOK AT MYSELF in the mirror. My long blue gown fits my body perfectly, and I can’t believe I’m just getting ready for my prom.

  It’s incredible how fast time flies. Soon, all of this will be over, and I’ll be going to the Richerville University. There’s no one who can get me off the first spot now. I just got the confirmation a few hours ago.

  My phone rings, and I answer, starting a video call.

  I can’t help but smile when my mom and my sisters look at me with wide eyes.

  “Move the phone a little,” my mom says. “We want to see everything.”

  My sisters agree, and I shift my phone so they can see me up and down.

  “You look amazing.” My mom’s eyes are filled with tears as she can’t stop smiling.

  “Like a princess!” my sister says.

  “Thanks, guys.” I grin at them. “Guess who’s going to the Richerville University?”

  My mom lets out an excited squeal, clapping her hands. My sisters jump up and down. The camera shakes, probably because the table with their laptop is shaking too as they hop up and down.

  “Congratulations, honey. I knew you could do it!” my mom says.

  “Thanks. It wouldn’t have been possible without you.” I think she knows what I mean. “All of you.”

  “When are we going to see you?” my sister asks.

  “Graduation party. Soon.” I glance at the alarm clock on my nightstand. “I have to go now or I’ll be late. I’ll talk to you tomorrow, okay?”

  “Don’t forget to take pictures,” my mom says.

  “I won’t.”

  “And send me the photo of you with your dance partner.”

  “My boyfriend, actually.” I haven’t really told my mom about Chase because I wanted to keep my word about taking things slow, and I’m still not sure how she’s going to react when she finds out whose son he is.

  “You have a boyfriend too? Wow. Who is he? Do I know him?”

  “It’s Chase.”

  “Oh. Does he treat you well?” Worry fills my mom’s eyes.

  “Yeah, he does. I wouldn’t be dating him if he didn’t.”

  Maybe something about my smile reassures her, because she smiles too. “Okay, honey. Have fun tonight.”

  “I will. Bye!” I wave at my sisters.

  A knock sounds on the door, and I slid my phone into the hidden pocket on my gown. When I open the door, Chase’s mouth falls open as his eyes travel my body.

  “You’re so beautiful,” he says.

  “Thanks. You’re very handsome too.” His suit looks just perfect on him.

  “Shall we?” He offers me his arm.

  “Yeah.” I grin, taking his arm.

  AFTER THE TRADITIONAL dance, all the students have fun dancing together. But when the lights go dim and slower songs start to play, I press myself close to Chase.

  When I look up at him, his lips lower to mine. His kiss is soft and gentle at first, but then it grows hungrier, and his tongue pushes past my lips. His hands roam my body, and my fingers wind into his hair.

  His mouth claims mine, his teeth grazing my lip. Heat spreads all over my body, and a strong need fills my insides.

  “We should go somewhere more private,” I say, and he nods.

  He doesn’t stop kissing me as we slowly make our way out of the room. His lips are on my neck after we sneak out into the hallway. My back hits the wall, and I let out a small gasp as Chase’s mouth closes around my earlobe, nipping lightly.

  Fire courses through my veins, and by the time we reach my room, I can barely keep my hands off Chase.

  As soon as we’re in the room, I catch his tie and tug him to me. Once I undo it, I toss it to the floor, and he shrugs out of his suit jacket.

  His lips collide with mine again, and I unbutton his dress shirt. He pulls it off him and I run my fingers over his strong chest.

  He tugs me to him, cupping my ass. His hands travel up, and he effortlessly unzips my dress, which pools around my feet. I step out of it, and Chase looks at me with so much passion in his eyes that I’m turned on even more.

  “Are you sure about this?” he asks.

  “Yeah.” I lean to whisper into his ear, because I want to make it clear exactly what it is that I want.

  A smile spreads across his lips, and he catches me in his arms, spinning me around. I let out an excited yelp as he kneads my breasts through my bra. His hands slide down my stomach, and when his fingers slip into my panties, I’m already soaking wet.

  Chase yanks my panties down, almost ripping them, and then he unhooks my bra. I let it fall to the floor. He lifts me up in his arms and carries me to the bed.

  I spread my legs wide as he climbs on the bed too, his hungry gaze trained on me. He grips my thighs and buries his head between my legs.

  A gasp escapes me as his tongue flicks over my clit. As he sucks gently, his fingers dip into my opening, pushing in and out. His tongue circles my sensitive flesh, as his fingers pump in and out of me.

  I throw my head back, soft moans escaping my throat. The pleasure is too much to take, and when I reach my peak, it spills all over me.

  Chase lets go of me as he gets to his feet, unzipping his pants. His thick length springs out when he yanks down his underwear. I push myself up, crawling over to him.

  Getting down on my knees in front of him, I open my mouth, looking at him through my eyelashes.

  “Fuck,” he hisses as he pushes his cock into my mouth.

  I try to take as much of him as possible as he moves in and out of my mouth. The look on his face when I suck and lick and the small noises of pleasure he makes are so hot that I’m more aroused than ever.

  “I can’t take it anymore,” he says.

  His hands wrap around me and he pulls me up. He throws me on the bed, so I’m on my hands and knees. He grasps my wrists and pins them against the small of my back with one hand.

  My cheek is pressed against the bed, my hips up. I hear him shift behind me, and I can barely fight the urge to push back toward him. My need is completely overpowering, and I like it.

  He shoves himself inside me, and I cry out as I stretch around him. He pulls out almost all the way and dives back in. My thoughts scatter as his hard, strong thrusts leave me breathless.

  His grip on my wrists tightens as he pounds into me until my moans are so loud I’m sure everyone will be able to hear me.

  Chase grunts as he slams himself deep inside me, and my release rages through me.

  “Chase,” I gasp out.

  His body envelops mine as he holds me close. My body throbs and tingles as he pushes inside me one more time.

  When he lets go of me and lies next to me, I roll into his arms. We’re both breathless, and his finger brushes my cheek.

  “You okay?” he asks.

  “Yeah.” I press myself close to him, his arms around me.

  When I look up at him, he kisses me.

  “I love you,” I say, and his jaw goes slack before he smiles.

  “No one has ever said that to me before,” he says.

  “Does it feel good?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Then I’m going to keep saying it.” I grin. “I love you! I love you! I love you!”

  “I love you too.” His mouth finds mine again.

  Chapter 33

  IT’S MY FIRST DAY AT the Richerville University, and it’s impossible to ignore the excitement that I’m feeling.

  I love every part of it. The campus is just amazing, and I like the people here much better. Maybe it’s because I’m just one of the freshmen. I’m not some ne
w girl who randomly dropped in out of nowhere.

  Another good thing is that Vanessa managed to get in too, as a legacy student, so I already have a friend.

  Some things are similar to Richerville Prep. My room and my bathroom are almost identical, and the cafeteria is the same, but bigger. The University has everything I might ever need, and I can even ask for one extra class that will be created specifically to my preferences.

  It’s like a dream come true. Vanessa told me that, even before we graduate, business opportunities will be waiting for us because all the big companies will want us, which sounds amazing.

  My stomach rumbles, and I head to the cafeteria. I keep looking around for someone I really can’t wait to see.

  I spot him in the corner of the room as he’s cleaning one of the tables.

  “Hey, stranger.” I wrap my arms around him from behind and plant a kiss on his cheek.

  “Are you trying to get me fired?” He grins as he turns around, his lips meeting mine.

  “Nope. I’d never do that. I still can’t believe you’re doing this for me.”

  “Why? What’s not to like about this job? I get to be with you and see you all the time. I have my own room. And I get paid too.”

  “Aww.” I give him another kiss.

  “I bet no one thought I could get a job or keep it, but I’ll prove them all wrong.”

  “I love you so much, Chase. You don’t know how proud of you I am.”

  He flashes me a smile, and I can see it in his eyes that he believes me. And he finally believes in himself too. It’s amazing.

  “But I need an important piece of information,” I whisper. “When’s your break?”

  “In about twenty minutes.”

  “Perfect. Then I’ll grab something to eat, and then...” I bat my eyelashes at him. “We can have some fun.”

  He shakes his head at me. “Are you trying to make this the most hellish twenty minutes ever? I don’t think I can wait that long to rip your clothes off you.”

  “Maybe.” I wink. “And you have to wait.”

  He lets out a laugh.

  I wave at him and go grab some food.