Cruel Boy Read online

“I told you already, I don’t have them,” I say, grinding my teeth.

  “What’s this then?” Nate holds up a picture of me … without shirt or bra on, sticking out my tongue to the camera.

  My eyes widen. That’s a picture from Robby’s beach house party, but it was private, and I didn’t send it to anyone. Only Mo and I have that pic. How the fuck did they get their hands on that?

  “Delete that,” I growl, and I lunge for his phone, but he whisks it away.

  “Nah, I don’t think I will,” he says.

  “Where the fuck did you get that?” I yell.

  He shrugs and laughs, and his friends do too.

  Every time I get close, he holds his hand up just high enough to keep it out of my reach, as if he enjoys pushing me over the edge.

  “Give that back! You don’t have the right,” I growl.

  “Send another one,” Daryl says, smooching his lips. “Will you?”

  “Fuck off,” I say, and I stick up my middle finger.

  Nate’s grin immediately changes into a scowl. He wishes I’d cave to such a blatant grasp for attention. Fuck that.

  I turn around and march off. I have no patience to deal with thirsty ass motherfuckers who got ahold of private pictures. I thought that was between me and Mo. Guess not.

  Fuck.

  * * *

  I’m waiting for Monica beside her car at the parking lot. I fold my arms when she approaches me, and I know exactly the moment she sees the scowl on my face.

  “What’s going on?” she asks. “I thought we’d meet up later. I’m gonna eat dinner at home before the party starts.”

  “What the hell did you do, Mo?” I growl. “Nate fucking Wilson has that picture.”

  She stops in her tracks. “What picture?” she asks.

  “You know, the one you took! Me without shirt and bra with my middle finger up.”

  Her eyes fill with shock. “What? No, he can’t—”

  “He showed it to me today in the hallway in front of everyone,” I say, grimacing. “Just to make fun of me.”

  Her face softens, and her eyes tear up. “I’m sorry, Sam.”

  “You should be. You sent it to them!” I yell, my body trembling.

  She shakes her head, confused. “I didn’t, I swear.”

  Everybody’s looking at us making a scene, but I don’t care.

  “Who else could’ve done it? You were the only one who had the pic!”

  She tries to approach me, but I back away. “I didn’t do it.”

  “Don’t lie to me, please. Best friends don’t do that shit to each other,” I say.

  “I’m not, I promise,” she says, swallowing away the tears. “You have to believe me.”

  “Then who did, Mo?” I ask.

  She averts her eyes as though she’s digging in her memories. “No … no, no … Fuck.”

  “What?” I mutter.

  “Shit. Robby,” she says, her pupils dilating. “He must’ve gone through my phone back then and sent it to himself.” Her fists ball. “That fucker … I swear to God, Sam, I didn’t do this. It must’ve been him. Please, you gotta believe me.”

  I take a deep breath. “I want to.” I sigh. “If you say it was Robby, I wanna believe you …”

  “There’s no other way. I would never ever send something like that to anyone.” She sniffs. “I should’ve deleted it sooner. It was stupid to even keep it.”

  I take a step forward as she’s about to burst into tears. “It was my idea to do it, not yours.”

  “I know,” she says, tears rolling down her cheeks, “but I would’ve gotten rid of them if I knew he was gonna steal my pics. That fucking asshole …”

  I wrap my arms around her and pull her in for a hug.

  Even though my tits were seen by the jocks because of a picture on her phone, she didn’t send it to them on purpose. Robby used her … and now we’ll both pay the price.

  “I fucking hate him,” she says. “I should’ve never hung out with him. And I gave that fucker my virginity.”

  “Oh, Mo … really?” I mutter.

  She sniffs and coughs from the cries. “Last summer at the party. Remember when you were swimming and taking pics with that new camera of yours? I was up in his room with him. I think he may have searched through my phone right after.”

  Well, fuck. I only went swimming because she asked to have some time alone with Robby, and I figured I’d just do it. Throwing my clothes off and jumping into the water in my underwear didn’t seem like such a dumb idea at the time. It was hot, and everyone was smashed. Plus, it was a good way to test out my new waterproof camera … and to see things I never thought I’d see.

  But at the same time, Robby was using Mo so he could get ahold of some private pics.

  “Damn,” I say. “What an asshole.”

  “I’m sorry, Sam,” she repeats. “I’m so sorry. Please don’t hate me.”

  “Stop apologizing,” I say, still hugging her tight. Nothing we do now can change what already happened. “I won’t let them rip us apart.” When we finally let go of each other, I tell her, “Once besties, always besties.”

  We do our signature fist pump, and afterward, Mo says, “I’m gonna make that bastard pay. I swear to you on everything he’s stolen and on all the chicks he’s banged since.”

  “And I’m gonna make Nate pay for showing it around to everyone else,” I say.

  A vicious smile appears on her face. “It’s our turn to be the bullies.”

  I grin too. “If you can’t beat them, join them.”

  Chapter 9

  Nate

  The music is so loud I can barely hear Daryl screaming in my ear.

  “Need another beer?” he asks. “It’s on the house. Or rather, Nadia’s.” He adds a laugh. “She won’t mind.”

  “Nah, I’m good,” I reply, showing him the one in my hand.

  “C’mon, it’s almost empty. Let’s get you a refill,” he says, and he tugs the beer bottle out of my hand. Before I can even say a word, he’s already walked off to the kitchen, leaving me alone in someone else’s house.

  I used to be so at home at parties, drinking all night long and going crazy just for the fun of it. But seeing all of these people dance while I’m just standing here makes me feel so out of sync. Once, I was like them. Now, I’m that guy who pretends to belong just for the sake of belonging.

  But what does it even mean when I’m not really here?

  From the corner of my eyes, I spot Kevin from school rummaging in his pockets again. He takes out a tiny plastic bag and hands it to a girl sitting right beside him.

  My throat jams up.

  “Nate … Nate!”

  I turn around only to wish I never did.

  “I’ve been trying to get your attention for over an hour already.”

  It’s Layla in a tight pink skirt and an off-the-shoulder black top. She went over the top this time, and from the way she’s smiling at me and wrapping her arm around my neck, she did it all for me.

  “Wanna dance, cutie?” she asks.

  I pull her arm off. “No, thanks.” I turn to look at Kevin, but he’s disappeared. Shit.

  “Aww … c’mon.” Layla tries to grab my hands and tug me along. “Just for a little bit.”

  “No,” I say, and I jerk free. I should’ve gone after him when I had the chance. Should’ve gone after that girl who was sitting next to him when there was still time.

  She frowns. “Why can’t we just have fun?”

  “I’m not interested anymore,” I say, looking away.

  She’s busy with things I don’t even want to be thinking about. I thought she’d get the message by now, but she circles around me like a vulture and gets right up in my face.

  “Excuse me, but this is not how you treat your lady,” she says with an uptight voice.

  “You’re not my lady,” I reply, handing her what’s left of my beer. “Have fun without me.”

  I walk off, but she’s still at my back. “Wh
at the hell, Nate? Why are you acting like this?”

  “Because I don’t want this anymore, Layla, whatever the fuck this is.”

  Everyone’s started gaping at us, and I don’t like it one bit. She always makes a big fuss out of things when I no longer care.

  “Are you seriously breaking up with me?”

  “I thought I was clear enough last time,” I growl over my shoulder.

  She stops in her tracks. “You can’t fucking break up with me, Nate.” She stands there while I continue to walk. “You can’t do this! Nathan!”

  She can do whatever the fuck she wants. I don’t care. I’m not listening, and I’m not turning around. God, I hate it when girls call me the way my mom called me.

  So I stick up both middle fingers and walk out onto the patio to get some fresh air. The music and lack of oxygen inside were killing me slowly, and the moment Layla came to breathe down my neck again, I was done for.

  I shouldn’t have dated her. She’s insane. But my dick wanted something, and I listened to it. Bad Nate. Never listen to your goddamn dick again. It’s not fucking worth it.

  None of it was. Not these parties … or the drugs. Damn Kevin’s fucking drugs.

  I glance over my shoulder to make sure she hasn’t followed me. I’d much prefer to be left alone right now, and luckily, she’s taken the hint for now. Knowing Layla, she’ll be back soon enough to try to seduce me again. But I won’t fall for it anymore.

  I’ve got bigger things to worry about. Like that one girl who knows my worst secret …

  I kick a rock lying in my path and watch it tumble down the steps. I reach into my pocket and take out a cigarette and a lighter that I got from Daryl. It’s been too long since I last had one of these, but today’s one of those days, I guess. I light it up and take a drag, the heat burning my lungs real good. Only as I blow out the smoke do I realize who’s sitting on the bottom of the stone staircase with a drink cup in her hand.

  Samantha Cook. What a coincidence. Just the girl I was looking for.

  * * *

  Sam

  “Well, well, well …”

  The sound of his voice makes all the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

  I swallow and try to ignore him, but his footsteps are hard not to notice.

  Now more than ever do I wish I hadn’t come to this goddamn party. If only I hadn’t let Monica drag me here. But it made her so happy that I came along. And now she’s off somewhere fighting with Robby.

  I sigh. I wonder what she’s telling him and if she’ll stir up a scene. Would be typical, and I wouldn’t mind at all. I’m already so done with this party…

  “Didn’t expect to see you here, Sammie-Sam,” Nate says.

  Why does he keep talking to me even when I ignore him?

  “My name is Sam or Samantha,” I retort, and I take a sip. “Not Sammie-Sam.”

  He takes another step. His frame casts a shadow on the concrete. It’s hard not to feel small when he’s towering over me like that.

  A few specks of dust drift down into my drink, and I look up. He just flicked his cigarette ash right above me. Jerk.

  If he wants a war, he can have one.

  I get up and spin on my heels. He’s right in front of me, staring at me with that familiar, dizzying grin on his face. The one that predicts trouble and mischief.

  And I answer his smirk by dumping my cup over his head.

  I pour it over him slowly, taking my time to see the Coke run down his face. Then I throw the cup on the ground.

  “Thanks for ruining my drink, dipshit,” I say.

  “You enjoyed that, didn’t you?” he says, licking up the droplets from his lips. “A little too much maybe.”

  “Not as much as you enjoy taunting me,” I hiss.

  He deserves it after what he did to me in the hallway.

  “You’re right … I do love that.” There’s a certain sparkle in his eyes that knocks the breath out of me.

  He takes another drag of his smoke, and for some reason, my eyes can’t stop zooming in on his lips. Until he blows it out in my face.

  I try not to be affected, but the cough still comes, and I hate it when it does.

  “Want a taste?” he muses.

  “Thanks for the offer, but I’m gonna have to pass,” I reply with cynicism.

  “Suit yourself,” he says, grinning. “But why are you here again?”

  “None of your fucking business,” I reply, glaring at him.

  “You’re out here on your own,” he mutters, completely ignoring me. “Doesn’t seem like you’re enjoying yourself.” He smirks, his eyes like those of a devil. “I can help you with that, ya know.”

  “Ugh.” I gather what’s left of my courage. “Get out of my way.”

  When I pass him, he grabs my wrist and stops me in my tracks. “Hey. I wasn’t done with you.”

  “You don’t get to decide that,” I hiss. “Let go of me.”

  “Actually, I do,” he quips. “As long as you have what I want …”

  My stomach drops. I don’t wanna talk about it, and I don’t wanna think about it, but he keeps bringing it up, and I know why.

  “I already told you I don’t have anything,” I say, and I jerk loose.

  “Oh, I know you do,” he says with such a gravelly undertone that it makes my body quiver. “And you just fucking poured Coke all over me, so I deserve to know. Give me the pictures, and this’ll all end.”

  “What? The endless stalking? The nasty catcalling? Or the invasion of privacy?” I scoff. “Actual fucking murder? I doubt it.”

  He suddenly grabs my arm. “What did you say?”

  The heavy tone coming from his mouth has me silent for a moment. I retrace my steps and words. Privacy. Stalker. Catcall. Murder.

  His grip on my wrist grows tighter. “What did you just call me?”

  “You’re a stalker,” I hiss.

  “No … that other word.”

  I know what he’s hinting at, and I’m not ashamed. He should be.

  “Say it again,” he growls.

  “No,” I reply.

  Fuck that. He’s not the boss of me.

  I try to shove him away, but he gets even closer and suddenly picks me up from the concrete. I gasp in shock, then scream when he carries me away.

  One. Two. Three steps and he releases me right in the air.

  A loud piercing squeal leaves my mouth before I’m submerged beneath cold water. My lungs almost suck it. I come up for air and cough out what I gulped in.

  He threw me in the fucking pool.

  “What the fuck!” I yell at him.

  His buddies come out of the house. “Whooooow,” they chant.

  “You fucking asshole!” I yell at Nate.

  He keeps staring at me with this goddamn dirty smirk on his face. His tongue darts out to wet his lips, and he even swipes his thumb along the edge.

  “Nice.”

  Nice? What’s nice?

  I follow his eyes, down my shirt … and realize everything is see-through.

  I immediately cover myself with my arms while the guys are still lurking and watching me as if I’m a goddamn freak show.

  I feel ridiculed and embarrassed as hell.

  Nate laughs and turns around.

  “Fuck you, Nate Wilson!” I growl.

  “Yeah, you wish,” he replies.

  So I chuck some water his way. Of course, it barely even manages to reach his feet.

  From here, there’s not much I can do, especially not with everyone looking at my rack. There’s only one thing I know to do to get back at him; words.

  “Don’t think I’ll forget. I know what you did,” I mutter.

  For a moment, I wonder if he heard me.

  But then he stops in his tracks and gazes at me over his shoulder.

  The piercing look gives me more shivers than the cold water ever could.

  Chapter 10

  Sam

  Pushing her way through the posse of assholes,
Layla comes to a full stop when she sees me. Jenny is right behind her, staring blankly at the water.

  “What the …?” Layla mutters.

  She throws a glance at me and then Nate and then me again, her eyes blazing with a fire I’ve never seen before.

  “You again,” she says, pointing at me. “I don’t want you near him.”

  “He threw me in the fucking pool, Layla,” I growl as I stay there. I’m surrounded by bullies, so getting out is not an option.

  “Why would he do that?” Jenny asks. “That’s so unlike Nate.”

  “Then you don’t know him as well as you think you do,” I retort, glaring at Nate. “Ask him yourself.”

  Layla throws him a look, but he ignores her completely. “Nate? Say something.”

  “It’s none of your business,” he says, still staring at me.

  Everyone’s holding their breath now, even me.

  “But—”

  “No. No fucking but. This is done.”

  His eyes are solely on me. He clenches his teeth with a stern, almost regretful glaze in his eyes. He shrugs and, with slumped shoulders, rushes off the steps and out onto the street.

  I don’t think he’ll come back.

  I’m left wet and shivering alone in the dark pool with a bunch of strangers staring at me. Layla and Jenny are completely dumbfounded, so at least I’m not the only one.

  Layla throws me a snooty look.

  “C’mon, Jenny. Let’s go,” she says, and she marches her rear end right back into the house, with Jenny on her tail like the bootlicker she is.

  As I’m wading through the water, Monica finally shows up.

  “About time,” I mutter.

  “What the … what happened to you?” she jokes, laughing a little. “You could’ve at least taken some of your damn clothes off.”

  “If you hadn’t guessed, this wasn’t my idea,” I reply as I reach the edge. “A little help?”

  “Course.” She reaches out, and I grab her hand, and she lifts me out of the water with a little pull. “Geez, water makes everything so heavy.”

  “Thanks,” I retort.

  “Who did this to you?”

  I roll my eyes and look at my soaked outfit. “Take a guess.”