Page 33 of I Was Always Yours (RCA: Royal Crown Academy)

I let a sarcastic laugh loose. “I’m a social pariah. I could lie down naked in the middle of this room in front of all the boys at school and not a single one of them would touch me.”

She gives me a startled look. “Why not?”

“Phoenix’s orders,” I say, with a resigned tone, “If he hates me, then everyone else has to as well.”

She lifts an eyebrow at me. “That’s a lot of effort to go to for someone you hate.”

“Guess he’s got the time,” I answer with a shrug.

“I mean who am I to throw stones, my bedroom walls are made of glass.”

I put a sympathetic hand on her shoulder as we move into a lounge area near the living room. “I’m sorry about how your first week went, you don’t deserve the way he’s treating you and I really hope it gets better for you,” I pause before adding, “But I really don’t think it’s going to. I’m sorry, I have to be honest. He seems to be a dog with a bone when it comes to you and I don’t see him letting this go anytime soon.”

She sighs. “I know.”

“Phoenix won’t either, if that makes you feel better. Going on year six of this, woo!” I say sarcastically, spreading out my palm and doing spirit fingers.

“Sounds like you and I are going to need a lot of alcohol and ice cream this year. Do they have Ben & Jerry’s here?”

“Hmm, I don’t think so,” I add, “But I can have my dad fly some in for us if you’d like.”

“Of course you can,” She deadpans, and I flush.

“Sorry, did I come off… douchey?”

She laughs loudly at that. “First of all, hearing you use the word ‘douchey’? Priceless.” She says, doing the okay sign with her hand, “Second, would anyone else? Yes. Did you?” She shakes her head, “Never. You’re much too nice for that.”

I smile, grabbing a couple shots from a passing tray. “Let’s make a toast,” I say, handing her one.

“To what?”

“To not letting these men ruin our lives.” I clink my glass against hers and throw it back, shaking my head to get over the burn.

“Woo, tastes like bad decisions.” She announces.

“T’es folle, don’t put that juju out into the world,” I say, setting the glass down. “I’m going to go use the bathroom, I’ll be back.”

I make my way through the crowd towards the back of the house. Before Phoenix moved in with Rogue a couple years ago, he’d had less control over the comings and goings of this house so I’d come to many parties here, always being careful to avoid Phoenix so as not to trigger his temper.

He’s always moved like a black panther, his prowling quiet and deadly as he circles you like the prey you are. Before you’d even sense that something was wrong, he’d be at your neck.

I’d been here often enough – and watchful of any confrontations with him for long enough – that I’d started becoming attuned to when and how he moved.I used to be able to sense him coming, a tingling sensation on my neck intensifying the closer he got.

Unfortunately, because he spent the last two years acting like I was see-through and actively staying away from me, that particular muscle is pretty rusty.

Which is why when a large hand wraps around my arm just above my elbow and yanks me out the back of the house, I’m caught completely by surprise.

I’m shoved out the door with force. Once I find my footing, I whip around to confront my attacker and find Phoenix towering over me, inches from my face.

Well, by my count that was at least five minutes of drama-free peace after my toast with Bellamy.

Progress.

“It’s not enough that you show up at my school, now you’re in myhouse?”

“I’m not here for you, I’m–”

“Shut up.” He hisses, “Clearly I’m not effectively communicating how much I hate you.” He grabs my hair and yanks my head back at an angle as he looms over me. “What will it take to make you understand, hmm?” He whispers, walking me backwards with his hold on my hair, “Do I need to actually hurt you?” He brings his other hand to my neck, humming as it closes around my throat, “Should I choke you?” Then he grabs a handful of my ass. “Or whip your ass and thighs until they bleed?”

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