Page 48 of Mayhem

Looks like she got all of them.

What a slut.

Couldn’t leave one for someone else.

She is so lucky to have all of them.

I smugly smile as I walk with the Kings. Let people talk their shit, I don’t care.

“Midas!” A shrill voice screeches behind us, breaking the happy bubble I was in. I turn around and see Valerie with her hands on her hips, looking wildly pissed off.

She storms over to us, and both Zeus and Odin block me from her. Midas steps out from beside me and pulls Valerie away from us. They argue in a hushed tone, and the other two drag me away to my locker. I put my books away and grabbed my bag. Evie comes bouncing over.

I haven’t spent much time with her today, but I decided at that moment to remedy that. She is still a little uneasy around the guys, and I don’t blame her. I still feel a bit anxious around them, too. They have never really given me a reason to worry about them, but it’s just a gut feeling.

Maybe I am a little broken after Evan when it comes to relationships. I don’t know how you should feel or act when with someone you like. Evan taught me all the things not to do, but I am still trying to figure out the right stuff. After last night, I'm starting to think the guys are the right option.

"Are you going to the Halloween party?" Evie asks me.

"Of course she is, and we are doing a couple's costume." Odin pipes up.

I look at him quizzically. He never asked me if I was going and if I would dress up with him. I mean I want to go, but I was thinking of going with the girls.

I shove his shoulder playfully, calling me an idiot in the process. He smiles like a lunatic at me. I roll my eyes and turn back to Evie. She and I continue our conversation, but I can’t help but look over my shoulder at Midas and Valerie. She doesn’t look happy about what they are talking about.

Odin follows my gaze and looks back at Midas. Odin doesn’t look happy about their interaction either.

Odin kisses my head before he and Zeus walk over to Midas. Valerie is still bitching at him about whatever, occasionally staring daggers at me. I turn back to a stunned Evie.

I see Midas say something to Odin and Zeus before he wraps an arm around Valerie’s shoulders and pulls her away with them. Evie’s hands turn to fists by her side as we watch the four of them walk down the hall. Odin and Zeus don't look back at me, their heads down.

“Looks like I just lost my ride home.” I watch them walk out the doors.

“Don’t worry, I’ll give you a ride home.” Evie offers to me. I nod my head while closing my locker.

We walk out the front door. My jaw drops, and my heart breaks when I see Valerie kissing Midas. Odin and Zeus are standing beside Midas, looking surprised that this is happening. My heart snaps in two. The tears threaten to fall, but I refuse to cry where they can see. Evie grabs my hand, and we walk past them.

Valerie laughs as we walk by, her hands all over Midas. He looks shocked as he sees me. He opens his mouth, wanting to explain. I walk past without waiting for him to explain. They all yell my name as I walk with Evie to her car. I slide into Evie’s car and stupidly look at the Kings. Midas climbs onto his bike, and Valerie tries to climb on with him. Midas tries to push her away, but she doesn’t budge.

Odin and Zeus start walking over to Evie’s car. Pain etched on their beautiful faces. I shake my head no to them, not wanting to hear anything right now. I ask Evie to go, and she pulls out before they get closer. They yell my name as we drive away. I look in the mirror and see the Kings yelling at Valerie while she wears a smug smile.

We leave the school and go to Evie’s house. She knows the Kings live around me and offers to hang out at her house. We stopped for a quick coffee at my favorite café in town. The feeling of eyes on me the whole time we are in the cafe creeps me out, but I ignore it.

I’m just paranoid over nothing.

I spent most of the evening at Evie’s house. We never talked about the Kings except for their upcoming Halloween party. It’s still two weeks away, but it’s the talk of the school. They throw a party every year, and it’s massive. I agreed to go with Evie. We discussed our costumes, and Evie picked the perfect duo costume.

“Do you know what’s going on with Valerie and them?” Evie cautiously asks me.

I shake my head no because I don’t. Things had been going so well between the four of us. Or at least I thought they were. I start to question if this is about the bet again. They won their bet, so they don't have a reason to stick around. I don’t want to believe that, especially after what Odin said last night. He told me the bet was over, and they wanted me. There is more to this story than meets the eye.

Evie and I spent the night doing some homework while I attempted to make sense of everything going on.

My mom picks me up on her way home from work. She didn’t ask why I didn’t take my car today. She probably knows that I rode in with Zeus this morning. His motorcycle is anything but subtle.

When I walk into my room, my curtains are open, and I can see right into Midas’s room. All three are sitting in front of his TV, playing video games. I keep the light off in my room, hoping they don’t notice me watching them. They look like they are having fun together, but I can see the tension between them. A part of me longs to go over there and demand answers.

I turn the light on in my room, and the three instantly swivel their heads into my room. Odin’s face lights up when he sees me. I give him a tentative smile, happy to see him too. I walk over to the window. The three of them follow. We all stare at each other until Midas’s door opens, and Valerie walks in. I shake my head, disappointed that I had convinced myself it was nothing. Odin’s eyes widened, shaking his head, begging me not to go. I grab my curtains and close them.

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