Chapter 15 (Landon)
“So he's doing well?” Coach Crane asks, looking up from his paperwork.
I shuffle my feet and look down. I respect this man and don't want to lie to him.
“Well, not exactly,” I begin. “But I think if he tries hard and puts in the work he'll be okay.”
“He needs to get a B or higher in all of his classes,” he reminds me. “The Dean isn't budging on that.”
I almost want to laugh, considering the Dean is his wife, but I nod instead. “I know.”
He scrubs a hand down his face. “Okay. Thank you for coming down here.”
“No problem.”
I turn on my heels, walk down the long corridor, and past the locker room.
And that's when I hear it.
“So how much did you pay that guy to suck your dick, Asher?”
When there's no response, I hover by the locker room door that's partially open.
I know I shouldn't be doing this, but Asher's my student. Or rather, he's Mrs. Sterling's student...but I'm his tutor. Therefore, it's my job to report bullying on campus. Especially the kind that can hinder a student's performance.
Asher remains quiet and faces his locker, his expression unfazed. I see his shoulders rise on a deep breath when he pulls a t-shirt over his head.
Inwardly I smile. That's right, don't let these assholes get to you.
“Come on, Asher Holden. Tell us all about your little boyfriend,” the guy continues.
“I bet if you let him suck you off he'd tell you all about it,” another guy chimes in.
There's a round of laughter and my stomach drops. I want to burst in there and tell those fuckers off myself. But it would only make matters worse.
I can see him visibly straining to keep himself in check now and it's admirable. I don't know how he does it. I would have snapped by now.
“You know, I bet you're right,” the guy continues. “I bet he wants nothing more than for us to line up for him so he can suck us all off.” The guy cackles and slams his locker shut. “I bet you're just dying to suck my dick, Faggot? Aren't you?”
I take a step, anger pumping through my veins.
And that's when all hell breaks loose.
It all happens so fast, I barely have time to register what's going on.
There's a cracking sound, and then the asshole's on the floor and Asher's on top of him, throwing punches left and right.
The guy tries to deflect them. He even manages to get in one solid punch to Asher's eye. But Asher's got one thing on his side that the other guy doesn't.
Anger.
And right now, it's a perfect storm of bottled up rage swirling around in that locker room. The two guys who looked like they were about to jump in take a step back. Which is a good idea, considering the face of Asher's victim is a punch away from becoming ground meat.
The other guys stand around, looking both speechless and astonished. Guess they never expected Asher to fight back.
Asher yanks him up by his collar. “For your information, I only suck things I can see.”
He spits on him and pulls his fist back once more, intending to send what I'm sure is one hell of a punch to his face again.
However he's interrupted by the sound of a whistle blowing.
The guys all turn their heads when the assistant coach, Vincent Dragoni walks in.
“Alright, break it up.”
He shoves Asher off the asshole and yanks the other guy to his feet. “Go get cleaned up, O'Connor.” He looks around. “The rest of you get the hell out of here. Now.”
The guys scatter, including Asher. That is until Dragoni barks, “Not you, Holden.”
Asher pauses and mumbles a curse under his breath. I see a flash of fear in his eyes and he swallows hard.
My feet start moving, there's no way I'm going to let him get in trouble for defending himself. I'll go right to coach and tell him—
“I suggest you remember exactly why it is you're here,” Dragoni barrels out. “And unless you want to see those ivy league brains of your brother's smashed against concrete before I do the same to you—you better get your shit together and stop fucking around. The Dragoni’s don't take well to unsettled debts. We're doing you a favor for the next year. Understand?”
My stomach knots. Just what in the actual fuck is going on?
The muscles in Asher's neck tighten before he grinds out, “Yes, sir.”
“You're dismissed,” Dragoni says. “For now.”
I move against the wall when I see Asher head for the door that I'm currently snooping through.
He's two steps down the hall when he stops abruptly and faces me. “Jesus you're really making a habit out of spying on me, aren't you?”
I ignore that comment. “What the fuck is going on? Why is Dragoni threatening you?”
His face screws up. “Tell me why you were spying on me.”
“I wasn't spying on you. The coach asked me to come down to his office so we could talk about how you're doing.”
He blows out a breath. “And?”
I avert my gaze. “And I told him the truth. You're going to need to put in the work and make an effort.”
He starts walking. “Thanks a lot.”
I run to catch up to him. “I refuse to lie to him for you.” I reach for his arm. “Tell me what's going on with Dragoni. I saw what happened in that locker room and it was that asshole who deserved to be yelled at, not you.” My shoulders tighten. “And where does he get off threatening you? He's a faculty member. He can't just—”
His expression hardens and he pushes me away. “You don't know what the fuck you're talking about, Landon. Forget whatever you heard and mind your own business.”
“No,” I argue. “He can't—”
“What happened to you today? Huh?”
I'm thrown off by his question. “I don't know what—”
“At the library, you left not only looking like shit but in a rush. Why?”
He cocks a brow, waiting for my answer.
My throat feels dry. “It's personal.”
He hikes his gym bag on his shoulder and snorts. “Right.”
“Asher,” I call out. “I'm reporting him.”
His entire body goes rigid. “You can't.”
“Give me one good reason why—”
“You'll get me and my brother killed.”
“But like how do policemen on bikes arrest people, Landon?” Brittany the girl I'm currently helping into bed, slurs. “I mean, like where do they put people on their bikes and stuff?”
I try not to laugh as I pull a blanket over her and set a glass of water beside her bed. I grab a garbage can and place it on the floor next to her as well. She's so trashed, she's going to need it.
I used to tutor Brittany last year and during one of our sessions I told her that if she was ever at a party and needed an escort home, to give me a call.
I never thought she'd take me up on the offer, not that I'm annoyed that she did. Even though she did rip me right out of a late-night music session.
When I met her at the frat house she was a step away from falling on her face. And when we passed one of the security guards in front of the building and he wanted to know what was going on, she broke out into a fit of giggles and asked him the same question she's evidently still pondering.
I quickly explained that she was coming home from a frat party off campus and that I was making sure she made it to her dorm safely.
“You know, you're really cute, Landon,” she slurs. “I always wanted to tell you that but never had the courage.” She springs up in bed suddenly and braces her arm against the wall. Then before I can stop her, she's undoing the string to her halter top. I try not to stare at her boobs which are now on display for me. “Do you have a girlfriend?”
Breslin. Her name wraps around my heart and squeezes. “I do. She's in Europe, but she'll be back in a couple of weeks.”
It's not a complete lie. Just the part about her being my girlfriend.
Brittney pouts and trails a finger between her breasts. “I promise not to tell if you won't.”
“No. Sorry, I—”
Thank fuck for the sound of the front door opening and her roommate walking in a moment later.
I lift my hands and back away. “She was just getting ready for bed. She's really drunk so make sure you keep an eye on her.”
I ignore the look her roommate shoots me and close the door behind me.
I blow out a breath and start walking down the hall. Christ, if I don't stop being at the wrong place at the wrong time and ending up in these situations people are going to start to think I'm the campus peeping Tom.
I pull out my phone and check my messages. Surprise—there aren't any. At least none from her.
Tucking my tail between my legs for the umpteenth time, I press the call button, getting ready to leave yet another voice mail.
It's around 10 pm here which means it's early morning in Europe, so when I hear the click on the other line, I'm surprised.
I clear my throat. I've wanted nothing more than for her to pick up for the last week and change, and now that she has, I'm unsure of what I should say. “Hello?”
Music...the loud, electric dance kind greets me on the other line and I swallow down my annoyance.
Turns out Breslin didn't pick up the phone for me after all, she's too busy partying.
“Hello?” I say again for good measure before I hang up and fight the urge to throw my phone.
On the bright side, at least I know she's okay and that she arrived in Europe safe and sound.
I continue down the hall but slow my footsteps when I reach Asher's door.
I really should follow up with the bombshell he dropped on me today. I can't believe Dragoni is threatening him. There were rumors the guy was a little sketchy, but I didn't think he was a freaking hit-man.
I go to knock on Asher's door, but then I remember he told me he was going to the frat party tonight. With a sigh, I pad down the stairs and out the front doors of the dorm.
I'm passing a dumpster near a large oak tree when I hear it.
The unambiguous sound of grunting and skin slapping together.
I shake my head and continue walking. I've seen enough hookups this week and it only reminds my dick how lonely he is and how much he and I both miss Breslin.
“Yes, God yes,” some girl moans. “Fuck me harder, Asher.”
Curiosity holds my morals and brain hostage and I hate myself for turning around and ducking behind the large oak tree to get a better glimpse.
I can't exactly pin point what the driving force behind my nosiness is, and I don't have time to ponder it because I'm too focused on Asher's large form thrusting and pumping into her.
The blonde girl he's fucking scratches her manicured nails down his back and digs her heels into his ass. Asher growls in response and picks up his pace.
I never thought I'd ever find myself thinking this about another guy, but the way he takes her...
It's fucking hypnotizing.
He's like an animal in the wild. It's raw, primal and feral. There's no mistaking he's in complete control.
He directs the tempo of their fucking, and she moans in ecstasy every time her back hits the hard metal of the dumpster. My own dick stirs when he snatches the top of her dress down and buries his head between her tits. He plucks one of her nipples into his mouth and groans, lost in his own world of pleasure. Blondie tries to cant her hips and match his thrusts, but her rhythm is all wrong and wonky, she's no match for him.
Asher growls again, but not out of pleasure this time—out of frustration—before he takes her harder and faster against the dumpster, nearly splitting her in two.
The blonde loves it though and spurs him on with the heels of her feet, begging him not to stop.
And that's when he spins around...and his eyes connect with mine.
At first, sheer shock flashes in them and then they grow dark and heavy. Blondie screams that she's coming at the top of her lungs and he grips her hips, driving her over the edge with his frantic and brutal thrusts.
This is probably where I should walk away.
I realize how utterly bizarre this entire situation is. I take a step, intending to leave, but those crystal blue eyes of his hold my gaze, begging me to stay.
I'm not aroused by my current circumstance...but there's something oddly satisfying about knowing that I'm suddenly in control of this whole thing now.
His throat bobs and his face strains as he thrusts into her a final time, his eyes never leaving mine.
When he's finished, he puts the girl down and pulls up his jeans.
I go to leave again, but he nods in my direction...and that's when Blondie turns around and sees me.
“Oh my god,” she screeches. “You were watching us?” She jabs a finger at Asher. “And you just let him?”
Asher lifts a shoulder in a shrug and disposes of the condom.
Thinking fast, I pull a small container of candy out of my pocket and walk toward them. “Not for nothing, but you were having sex in public.” I toss the container into the dumpster. “I was just trying to be a good citizen and not litter.”
Asher's lips quip and the blonde huffs out a breath before turning back to him. “I guess I should probably give you my number, huh?”
Before he can object, she starts rattling it off and I don't know whether to laugh or shake my head when I notice that he's only pretending to enter it in his phone.
She looks between us. “I—um. I'm gonna go up to my dorm.” Her eyes blatantly roam over Asher and she bites her lip. “Give me a call. It was fun.”
He gives her a salute in response and she starts walking away. I open my mouth but close it when he grins slyly and whispers, “Don't forget to tell your boyfriend I said hi.” He looks at me. “She's O' Conner's girl. Or rather, she was before five minutes ago.”
I can't help but grin myself now. “Guess it makes sense why you fucked her in public instead of walking the mere 30 feet and taking her to your dorm room.”
“He started with me at the party. I didn't want to get into it with him again...so I found something else to take the edge off.” He lifts a brow. “Question is...why are you here? I thought you lived off campus?”
“I do.” I dig my hands into my pockets. “A former student of mine called me from the party. She was wasted so I escorted her home.”
He wiggles his eyebrows. “Did you fuck her?”
I roll my eyes. “Of course not. Didn't you hear me? She was trashed.”
He takes the joint tucked behind his ear and brings it to his lips. “I think I should do you a solid and tutor you when it comes to girls. When was the last time you got any?”
I rip the joint out of his mouth and stomp on it. “You just fucked a girl against a dumpster and you want to offer me dating advice?” I leer at him. “Besides I don't need your advice. I have a girlfriend.”
He laughs. “No, what you have is a girl who's ignoring you and you can't take the hint.”
“What—”
He pulls out another joint tucked behind his other ear. “Dude, you stare at your phone constantly and you walk around pissed off all the time.” He gestures between us. “Not to mention, if you were hot and heavy with someone, I'd doubt you'd have time for these little eye spy extra-curricular activities you seem so fond of.”
“She's in Europe,” I say quietly. “Everything was great up until right before she left.”
He lights his joint and takes a pull off it. “She's stringing you along, bro.”
“She's not stringing me along,” I argue. “Her ex hurt her and she's still not over it and I...I pushed her too far. I made the mistake of telling her I loved her too soon and in return she told me that she didn't want anything serious and to do my thing while she was gone. I never should have told her how I felt and scared her. I just thought she was finally ready—”
“Jesus Christ,” he says. “Do you hear yourself? First of all— it's never a mistake to tell someone you love them if you feel it. Secondly—you're not even dating this girl seriously and she's got your balls in a vise like this?”
“Fuck you,” I spew. “You have no clue how things are between us. She just needs some more time to work her shit out and get over her asshole ex. She'll come around—”
He inhales another cloud of smoke. “No, the only thing that's coming is her all over the dicks in Europe. While you're standing here like a love-sick puppy who can't buy a clue.” He rolls his eyes and gestures for my phone. “Hand it over.”
I back away. “No.”
He advances toward me. “I'm doing you a favor, trust me. As soon as you stop calling her, she's going to start missing you. But you have to give her the chance to miss you first.”
I slide my phone out of my pocket. “Fine.”
He shakes his head. “Nope. I can't trust you to go through with it.”
I hand it over. “Her contact name is 'B'.”
“How original.” He scrolls through my phone. “Damn, she wouldn't even take a picture with you, would she?” When I don't answer, he whistles and presses the delete button. “You're welcome.”
“What if something happens to her? What if—”
“Did she call you when she arrived in Europe?”
“Well no—”
“Did she call you when she saw the Eiffel tower or the leaning tower of pisa or any of that bullshit?”
“No, but—”
“Then if she calls you only when something bad happens to her...you're better off without her.”
“She's studying abroad, Asher. She could just be busy.”
Busy dancing in European clubs.
He sniffs and takes another drag off his joint. “Nah. An idiot, maybe. But not busy.”
“She's not an idiot—”
He lifts his gaze to mine. “She is for not seeing what was right in front of her.”
There's an awkward silence that fills the air between us and I shuffle my feet. “You never told me what was up with Dragoni.”
He snuffs out his joint against the dumpster. “I gotta go. I'll see you tomorrow.”
When he turns to leave, I reach for his arm. “Asher—”
The sky above me starts spinning and I close my eyes.
Fuck. Earlier at the library my sugar level was too high and I didn't have my insulin on me...and now I'm too low.
I try to think back to the last time I ate something, but thinking only seems to make me dizzier. Besides, it's not like it matters anymore because I'm dropping fast. I silently curse myself for throwing out the candy in my pocket.
I feel myself start to sway but then an arm is grabbing me and holding me upright. “Whoa. What the hell is the matter with you?”
“I need food. Sugar.”
“You're a diabetic?”
When I nod, he sits me down by the tree and runs to the front door of the dorm building.
I see him fish in his pockets before he pounds on the glass beside the door. “Fuck, I forgot my key.”
After pounding on the door a few more times, and screaming that the building was full of nothing but 'drunk assholes', he runs back over to me. “Give me the keys to your car.”
I open my mouth to object but he screams, “I swear to God, I will fucking punch you. Hand them over or I will wrestle them from you.”
I toss them to him and he hauls me upright with one hand and presses a button on my key chain with the other until he hears the horn beep.
When we're seated in the car and I'm a moment away from passing out, he looks at me. “Where's the nearest store?”
“My apartment is up the road from the college.”
He slams on the gas and the tires screech in the distance as we take off.