Page 106 of Destroying Everleigh

I could feel the color drain from my face as his words slowly started to sink in. He didn’t even need to show me what was on that screen. It had to be the video posted on the school social group that had been invented by students to ruin people’s lives, just like what was happening now.

“W-who sent it?” I whispered.

My boss cleared his throat. “He said his name was Ashton Banks. He also wanted me to tell you that this was far from over.” He shook his head. “Whatever that means.”

Anger flooded through me like a wave of hot lava. Of course it was him. Just when I thought he couldn’t be any more of an asshole, he went and pulled some petty shit like this. It wasn’t enough that he dated my sister, called me names, came inside me without my say-so, but now he was costing me my job.

“I assume you know what video I’m speaking of?” he asked.

I nodded, dread filling me. It was my own stupid fault that there was even a video to begin with. Lucas warned me that someone could easily see us, and someone had. Now, I was suffering the consequences.

“I hate to do this. You’ve been a fine employee, but I’m going to have to let you go. It’s out of my hands.”

Heat built behind my eyes, stinging them with the threatening urge to release. I wasn’t going to cry about it or beg. Like he said, it was out of his hands. Surely, I could find another job. Maybe it would pay even better than this one. “I understand,” I whispered.

He gave me a curt nod. “Just bring your uniform in sometime next week when you come to collect your latest paycheck.”

I forced myself to my feet, feeling much more hollow than I had. “Sure.” I gave him a watery smile and turned for the door.

To my relief, Vivienne was busy with one of her tables. I didn’t want to explain what had happened. My heart was aching and I just needed to get to my car so I could cry it all out.

My legs were trembling as I shoved through the two large double doors and unlocked my vehicle. I slipped into the driver’s seat, resting my head against the headrest and allowed my built-up emotions to expel from my body. Sobs wracked me, causing me to shake profusely. I hated him. He would never fucking touch me again. None of them would. Tears blurred my vision, trickling down my cheeks. The salty substance made them raw as I wiped at them, just for more to take their place.

A frustrated scream tore from my lungs, anger and hopelessness filling my system. My hands slammed against the steering wheel as I punched at it, over and over again, until my knuckles and hands were sore.

I reached for my phone and tapped in my passcode with shaky fingers. It took me a few tries due to the tears clouding my vision, but I eventually managed. I hit call on my newest contact and placed the device to my ear, hatred seeping through me.

“Hello?” Ashton’s amused voice trickled through the device after the second ring.

“Keep that energy, Banks. I’m fucking coming for you, you sorry piece of shit.” I ended the call, praising myself for not choking on my words. I’d never been a vengeful person. But I wasn’t about to sit here and let him take everything from me over something that happened three goddamn years ago—over something that barely even registered in my mind.

My hand tightened around my phone as I gazed through the windshield. It felt like forever, but eventually the tears stopped. I sucked in a shaky breath before inserting the key intothe ignition and tore out of the parking lot with unnecessary aggression.

When I got home, I stripped down to my panties and bra and climbed beneath my comforter. Briley still wasn’t home, so it gave me the solitude I needed. My mind flashed back to Ashton, anger rearing right back up inside of me. He’d sounded so smug on the phone. Payback was going to be a sweet fucking bitch.

On my way to school the next day, I stopped at my favorite smoothie shop and ordered two large smoothies. One of them was a veggie one meant for a friend, while the other was a blueberry one meant for me. I got to school early enough for breakfast, not that I’d really have anywhere to sit aside from with Lucas, but Amber would probably be there. I’d heard something on the radio during my drive. Apparently, Rosalie had been arrested for killing her stepdad and younger sister. That’s why she’s been absent. She was currently sitting in the Brookhaven Psychiatric Institution. My heart went out to her and her family. I had no idea what happened, but from what I knew of her, she was a sweet girl. It was hard to believe she’d do something like that. But the evidence was in the news, so what did I know?

I found a parking spot near the front and clambered out onto the asphalt. I didn’t bother grabbing my bag and opted to head right inside instead. Lucas was sitting with Alex when I made my way inside the building and a trickle of relief jolted through me at the fact that I wouldn’t have to sit alone. I placed my drink on the table and glanced around the room, anger pulsing throughme when my gaze landed on Jameson who was seated on the outside of the booth next to Ashton.

“Can we talk?” Lucas asked, drawing my attention back to him. It was then that I realized we didn’t exactly leave off on the best foot.

I blew out a breath. “I’m sorry for what happened. Ashton was out of line.” It wasn’t the sincerest apology, but I did feel a little badly about what went down. Lucas, on the other hand, handled it poorly, and scared the living shit out of me in the process.

Alex glanced between us momentarily. “Do you guys need some privacy?” he asked, right as Colt came over and dropped into the seat beside my boyfriend.

“It’s fine,” I muttered. “I’m going to get something to eat.”

I didn’t give Lucas a chance to respond. I grabbed the vegetable smoothie and popped the lid off, laying it on the table. The substance was thick and green and didn’t smell that appealing. I marched across the cafeteria in a few long strides before halting a foot away from their table.

Ashton was the first to notice me, his gaze raking over my body like he had the fucking right to check me out. I gritted my teeth in annoyance as a new surge of fury pulsed through me. Jameson met my gaze next, a flicker of surprise crossing his features. It was about damn time he got a taste of his own medicine.

“I brought you something,” I said sweetly, echoing Jessie’s words from the beginning of the school year right before she drowned me in an iced latte at Jameson’s request.

I didn’t give him time to process it. I dumped the drink all over his head. The thick substance was like sludge against his hair and hoodie, trickling down his face and front. A surge of satisfaction surged through me when I watched him tense up.

“What. The. Actual. Fuck,” he ground out, shaking with restrained rage.

Kash rolled his lower lip between his teeth to hide the smile that threatened to cross his features. I wasn’t sure if he had anything to do with me getting fired, or if Jameson did. But as far as I was concerned, they were all involved.

---