Tormented Kings (Boys Of Kingston Academy #2)

Chapter 22

Sadie

“Soooo, how are things going?” Mia sing-songs, grinning like a damn fool.

I eye her suspiciously as I slowly take a bite of my pasta salad. She’s been really weird today. Oddly... perky. It’s like she has something she wants to say. She’s bursting with the need to spill it but won’t.

We’ve asked her a million times what’s up, but she just bites her lips together and grins.

“You're being really weird today,” I tell her then chew my pasta.

“I am not,” she huffs, laughing.

“Are too.” Alice shrugs, eating one of her fries. Mia shoots her a look, and they hold eye contact for a moment before a flush creeps up Alice’s cheeks. Something is going on between them, but I have no idea what. I want to know, I want to ask questions, but for once, they're looking at each other with heat and not longing or pain. Something happened between them, I just know it. I can feel it in my bones.

I shoot Emma a smile, and she grins back like a fool. She can sense it, too. But these two are like deer, easily scared if they feel cornered with sensitive subjects.

“To answer your question, I’m doing fine.” They all look at me with raised brows. “I said fine, not okay.” I roll my eyes. “Am I still pissed about the bullshit Tina spewed? Yes. Am I letting it get to me?” I stare at them all as I eat another bite of my food, showing them I’m trying my best not to let my stress affect my eating. I swallow. “No.”

“Good,” Emma declares. “Have you told the guys?”

“About what? Tina?” I nod. “Yeah, Declan and Grayson know about what she said the night of the party.”

“No. Not that.” Emma shakes her head. “You know. The ED,” she whispers the last part.

My brows furrow in confusion. “Erectile dysfunction?” I blink.

“Wait?” Mia’s eyes go wide. “One of your guys has erectile dysfunction?” She snorts a laugh. “Oh my god, please tell me it’s Preston.”

“Mia! That’s not nice. Erectile dysfunction is not something to joke about,” Alice scolds while trying to hide a damn massive grin.

“No.” Emma slaps Mia’s arm. “Not fucking erectile dysfunction.” She groans and looks around before meeting my eyes. “The eating disorder,” she whispers.

My stomach sinks as my heart races. I lick my lips a few times before shaking my head. “No,” I murmur. “I don’t see the reason to. I have it under control. Yes, I felt myself slipping a few times, but it never went further than a few missed meals. I’m okay. I’m eating fine. I promise.”

“I still think that it’s something you should let them know about,” Emma sighs. “It’s a big part of your past. They won’t judge.”

I know they won't. But with everything going on in my life, bringing up the past when it’s not needed isn’t something I see the point in doing. It has nothing to do with what’s going on now, and it’s only going to make them worry and start watching me with new eyes. Making sure I’m eating, asking if I’m okay all the time... they have enough to worry about when it comes to me; I don’t want to add more to their plates.

Mia perks up, a Joker-style smile stretching over her face. “What has you so–” I start to ask but stop when a piece of cake is placed on the table in front of me.

My heart speeds up for a whole new reason, and my own stupid smile finds my lips as I look over, knowing it’s Declan who’s gone and done something sweet yet again.

My lips part, eyes widening when I see him sit down next to me with a huge bouquet of red roses.

His cheeks are red, a nervous look on his handsome face.

“What is this?” I ask, blinking back the tears as he hands them to me. It’s big. There has to be at least a hundred of them. I smile as I smell them.

“For my girl,” he replies a little shyly.

My eyes snap up to his before looking around. “Your girl?” I lean in and whisper. “Declan, what are you doing? Everyone is going to start talking.” Not that I care what anyone else thinks, I just don’t want this to become an issue with his and Mia’s family.

He gives me a blinding smile. “Let them talk,” he chuckles. “I ended mine and Mia’s engagement. I’m free, Sadie. We’re free to see each other without any worries.”

My eyes widen as my heart pounds in my chest. “What about the others?”

He leans in, not allowing anyone to hear his response. “I already talked to them. They agreed to let us be public. You don’t deserve to be anyone's secret or to be hidden away, Sadie. I love you, and I want the world to know it. I don’t want to hide you but have you at my side instead.”

“Declan...” my voice cracks as tears fill my eyes. Is this for real? After stressing so much and being down about the fact I can’t be with the guys in the way I want to, I get to be with Declan in the open. Finally? He makes the most sense. With Grayson being my stepbrother and Collin being a TA and guidance counselor, it makes sense for them to stay out of the spotlight. Not to mention the fact I don’t think this school will handle the scandal of a poly relationship.

He leans back and says the next part a little louder. “I also quit the Host Club,” he continues, making the girls gasp. “I don’t want to spend time with any other woman but you.”

“Really?” I grin. I hated the fact that the guys kept seeing clients, even though I trusted them not to cross the boundary lines. But I sucked it up because I didn’t want to tell them how to live their lives or make them quit something they were genuinely happy to be a part of. Plus, it was a legacy thing.

“You're the only girl I want.” I blush harder. “So, I sit here with these roses, offering them alongside my heart, to ask you, Sadie Evans, if you would do me the greatest honor and be my girlfriend?”

“Yes,” I shriek immediately, grinning like a fool. I place the flowers on the table, stand up, and step between his legs. He looks up at me with those stunning eyes that I can’t help but get lost in. He grabs my hips with shaky hands as I cup his face with one of mine. I run my fingers through his hair with my other, getting it out of his eyes as I smile down at him softly, trying really hard not to cry. “I’d love nothing more than to be your girlfriend, Declan,” I answer softly before leaning down to kiss his lips. I love the way he shivers under my touch, his grip on my hips tightening.

The room breaks out in murmurs. No one cheers like they do in romance movies. Maybe in a regular school with regular people, but not here. Declan is one of the most powerful men in this school. They all knew he was set to marry Mia. So him asking me to be his girlfriend is not something they expected. Soon, the news of their broken engagement will spread.

People will accuse me of being the reason. But I don’t care. I know the truth, as does Mia. That's all that matters.

Breaking the kiss, we’re both breathless, matching pink spots on our cheeks. “I love you,” I whisper against his lips. I want to say it louder, but that would just add fuel to the fire.

“Love isn’t a strong enough word for how I feel for you, Sweetheart,” he whispers right back, causing my heart to explode.

“The two of you are so damn sweet, I’m getting a toothache,” Mia comments with giddy excitement.

Declan pulls me into his lap, wrapping his arms around me. I’m so damn happy I’m trying really hard not to cry.

No one understands how much this means to me. I’ve never been in love, not truly, not until I got to know my guys.

Not being able to be with them like I wanted to, felt wrong. It made me sad and had me staying up all hours of the night, thinking of all the worst case scenarios.

The last time I sat on a guy’s lap, with their arms around me like this, I felt smothered, trapped. Whenever Raymond and I acted like a couple, it felt forced and wrong. Like one big act. Because he always loved to put on a show for people.

But doing the same thing with Declan, having his arms around me, doesn’t fill me with that old urge to run or to flee. I snuggle deeper into his hold, wishing we could stay like this forever.

I feel loved, wanted, and protected. Something I’ve never felt before. Not until them.

Declan chuckles, placing his chin against my shoulder as he hugs me tighter.

“You’re really okay with this?” I ask Mia, trying hard not to look around the room filled with people I know are gossiping about this, spreading the word around to anyone who isn’t here to witness it for themselves.

“Fuck yeah,” Mia laughs. “It’s about damn time he dumped my ass. Dude has been head over heels for you for years. I think it’s only fair we put him out of his misery.” She winks.

“Gee, thanks.” Delan chuckles.

“I don’t want to be tied down to no man.” Mia gets up. “You hear that bitches!” she shouts, and my eyes widen in horror. “I will never be Mrs. Harris! Why? Because I’m gay as fuck! No dick for me, give me all the pussy, baby!”

“Would you sit the fuck down!” Alice hisses, grabbing Mia’s arm and yanking her down. Mia is laughing, pure joy on her face.

“Sorry,” she sighs. “It’s just so freeing, you know? To be able to be myself. It’s not like this school didn’t already know I was into women. I’ve fucked a few of them.”

“Thanks for the reminder,” Alice growls.

Mia shoots her a cocky smirk. “You jealous, baby? Don’t worry. I haven’t been with anyone in a while.” Mia gives her a wicked grin. “Well, since–”

Alice darts forward, shoving a hand over Mia’s mouth. “Shut. Up!” she hisses, but Mia just cackles against her hand.

“I knew it!” My eyes light up with glee. “I totally knew it.”

“You know nothing.” Alice gives me a shut up look. Then one to Emma, who’s grinning like crazy.

“Mhhmm,” Emma says. “Nothing at all. But when you two are ready, we want all the details.”

Alice sighs. “There’s nothing to say.” She moves her hand from Mia’s mouth.

“You had a lot to say last night when my tongue–” Again, her hand slaps over Mia’s mouth.

“Dear god, woman. Do I need to gag you?” Alice sighs heavily before removing her hand.

“Talk dirty to me, baby.” Mia wiggles her brows.

My eyes find Emma’s, and we squeal like crazy.

“Nope. Not doing this. It’s all about you two,” Alice redirects, pointing at Declan and me. “I’m happy for you two. You did good, Harris. My girl deserves to be treated like a queen.”

“That she does,” Declan agrees, kissing my neck. I melt into his touch.

“Is it bad that I want to drag you into the nearest room and ride you?” I whisper in his ear. He sucks in a breath, his cock thickening under my ass.

“Sweetheart,” he warns in a strained voice.

“I need you.” I turn to look at him.

“Fuck.” He stares into my eyes. “We gotta go.” Declan jumps to his feet. “Can you bring this to Grayson?” Declan asks, nodding to the flowers.

“We got you, babe. Go have fun.” Mia grins.

I giggle as Declan pulls me out of the lunch room.

We end up in Collin’s office, and I ride Declan like my life depends on it, right in Collin’s chair.

Once we are out of breath and high off our orgasms, Declan and I leave Collin’s office.

We don’t make it five feet before I’m giggling because he’s pushed me up against a wall and peppering me with more kisses. “I fucking love you,” he murmurs, kissing me hard.

“I fucking love you too,” I sigh, sounding drunk off my man. My fucking man. His cum is still inside me, soaking my panties. It’s something I’ve come to realize is a kink of mine.

“I hate that I have to get to class,” he grumbles against my swollen lips as he steals more kisses.

“Me too.” I pout. “But we better go. Lunch has already ended, and we’re late.”

“And I need my office back,” Collin’s voice has us ripping apart, heads snapping in his direction. “You two done in there?” He’s leaning against the wall, eyes fixed on the wall across from him as he rolls his head to look at us.

I can’t help it, I giggle, biting my lip. “I’m not at all sorry.” I try to hold back my laughter.

“Such a fucking brat you are, Sunshine,” he grumbles, taking a step closer and leaning in. “It’s a good thing I’m fucking obsessed with you.” My eyes flutter shut, his breath tickling my ear. “Call this payback for carrying you out of the club that one day.” He leans back and grins. “But from now on.” His voice is low. “The only one doing the fucking in that office is me. Do you understand, Sunshine?”

“Yes, Sir,” I whisper, arousal flooding my belly again. I need to get out of here before I go round two, with Collin this time.

As if he can sense where my mind went, he steps back and nods his head. “Get the fuck out of here.”

Declan chuckles, grabbing my hand and pulling me away. I go with a laugh, my heart full and brimming with happiness.

We stop outside Declan’s class and he gives me a heated kiss goodbye. “I’ll talk to you later.”

Nodding my head, I bite my lip as I watch him walk into his room.

I miss him the moment he’s gone. Sighing, I leave for my own class.

Of course, I can’t enjoy my happiness high. It doesn’t work like that for me. For every good thing that happens in my life, something bad follows. I should have recognized the pattern by now.

I almost crash into her as I round the corner. “Shit, sorry,” I start, my heart sinking when I see who it is.

My jaw tightens as I move to the side to leave, but she side-steps in front of me. “Don’t start with me today, Tina,” I sigh heavily, an uneasy feeling creeping up my spine. I don’t want to be alone with her for any amount of time.

My eyes drop to her nose, and a flush of pride fills me. It’s got a cast on it. Fuck, I really did break her nose.

And she doesn’t seem too happy about it.

She stalks forward, and I back up with her invasion of my personal space until I’m pressed against the wall. I’m beyond shocked when she wraps her manicured nails around my neck. “I should fucking kill you for what you did to me,” she snarls in my face. Panic floods me, and my fight-or-flight instincts go out the window. She’s never been physical with me before, only attacking me with her nasty words. She’s gotten in my face a few times and cornered me like a scared animal but never laid hands on me.

“Get your hands off me,” I choke out, trying not to whimper in fear. Fuck.

She only tightens her grip as she uses her other arm against my chest to pin me down. “You broke my fucking nose. So I’m going to break something of yours. I just haven’t decided on what yet.” She laughs. “Nice little show you put on in the cafe. You and Declan are a couple now, how sweet. How does it feel to be a homewrecker? They’ve been planning to be married since birth. And you come in here thinking you can fuck with how things work in our world. You know nothing. You are nothing. You better be careful because you're going to fuck with the wrong person one day, and it’s going to bite you in the ass,” she spits.

“And by the looks of it, that wrong person is me. I see what you’re doing, slowly taking our men. Stay away from Preston, Sadie, or so help me god, I will fucking kill you. You’re nothing. You’re trash. You’re just a hole for them to fill, a game for them to play. Once they have their fun with you, they’re going to toss you to the side and go back to the lives set out for them. Because that’s how this world works; it’s the way things are. And some lowly piece of trash like you isn’t going to change it.”

She pushes off me, and I gasp, choking and coughing as she takes a step back.

“Know your place, Evans, or I’ll put you in it.”

She turns around and walks away, her heels clicking against the marble floor.

Tears sting my eyes, and I don’t feel safe until I know she’s long gone.

Running to the nearest bathroom, I lock myself in a stall and cry. I feel weak and small. I hate that I allowed her to make me feel that way.

But I was in shock. She’s right about one thing. I don’t know this world like she does; I should be more mindful of the things I do.

What does it matter though, when the men I’m with are a part of this world? If they’re making these big changes, it’s not because of me. I never asked them to end their engagements. I never asked them to change their whole lives to be with me.

They chose that all on their own. I don’t feel guilty about it because it’s not just because of me. They didn’t want that life. They don’t want to be married to people they don’t love.

I know Tina is toxic and a miserable, evil person. That her words are just meant to hurt and spread poison. Yet, they still sink into my skin like an arrow to the heart.

When I finally calm down, I pee and clean myself up the best I can.

At the sink, I wash my hands and am stunned by the horror that is my reflection. My eyes are red rimmed, makeup a mess but it’s nothing some wet paper towels won’t fix.

It’s the handprint around my neck that really has me concerned.

My hand reaches up, fingers brushing against the mark.

I thought I was safe in school. Maybe from the guy’s father. But not from her.

If I tell the guys, Collin is going to lose his shit. He’s going to do something to her that is going to fuck up everything he’s been working hard for. If she goes to their dad and complains, that February deadline might be moved up. Or maybe he might act on one of his threats towards me.

Secrets and lies. That's what my life’s become. Tina says I don’t belong in her world. But from where I see it, I might just fit right in.

I texted Grayson, knowing he didn’t have a class at this time, asking him if he could give me a ride home.

He called me right away, asking if I was okay. I hated lying to him, but I didn’t want to deal with this right now. I just wanted to go home and lock myself in my room.

So, I told him I think I got sick from something I ate for lunch and wasn’t feeling good. He told me he would come find me and take me home, but I told him I’d just meet him at the Host Club room. I needed time to put makeup over the marks on my neck to cover them up.

Now that I’ve had some time to calm down, my face is cleaned up, and my neck has been dealt with, I walk to meet Grayson. I’ve completely shut down and am totally numb.

Time to put on a happy face and act like everything is fine.

“Hey, Pretty Girl.” Grayson steps out of the Host Club room before I get to the door. I look up and force a smile on my face.

“Hi.” It’s a weak hi, with my throat sore.

“You don’t look so good.” His eyes scanning my every feature.

“Thanks,” I laugh jokingly.

“Not what I meant,” he growls. Not in a playful mood, I see. He seems concerned. Fuck, I want to cry because of how much he cares.

“Thanks for bringing me home. I know you have a class in an hour.”

“Of course. Are you sure you're okay?”

I nod. “Just nauseous. Nothing that some Pepto and sleep won’t fix.” It’s not a lie, I’ve felt like I wanted to puke since the moment I bumped into Tina.

Grayson snakes his arm around me and walks me to his car. The ride home is silent. I sit there with my eyes closed, head leaning against the cool window.

When we get inside, he walks me to my room. “You sure I can’t come hang out with you?”

“I’m just going to be sleeping.” I give him a soft smile. “Go, you need to get back to school.

He looks like he wants to argue but nods his head before kissing my forehead. “Feel better soon, Pretty Girl.”

“Thanks,” I whisper, turning around and entering my room, and closing the door behind me without looking back.

Tears fill my eyes as I strip out of my school clothes and head into my attached bathroom for a shower.

I stand in the hot water, eyes closed, head back, for longer than I should, just enjoying the burn of it against my skin.

When the heat starts to make me dizzy, I get out, change into a sweatpants—sweater set before climbing into bed, and falling asleep.

Something cold against my head pulls me from sleep, but I don’t wake up, not fully. “My silly little Pretty Girl,” Grayson’s soft voice fills my ears. “Thinking I’d just go back to school with you home and sick. I don’t think so.” I feel the soft press of his lips against my forehead. If I was fully awake, the gesture would make me cry with how damn sweet he is. Instead, I slip back to sleep.

When I wake again, I find myself alone in my room, my bedside lamp on. My head aches when I sit up, and I groan as I stumble my way to the bathroom to pee.

Back at my bed, I look at my phone and find a ton of text messages. But I smile when I see one in our group chat of Grayson letting the guys know I’m okay, and had gone home sick. He made sure to let them know he had me taken care of and that I was fine.

Sighing, I put my phone back and look at my bedside table to see a glass of water and a pain pill. I bite my lip at another one of his gestures that has me wanting to cry.

Taking the pill, I swallow it down with the water, then move to get back into bed but pause. I don’t want to be alone. I don’t want to lay back in this bed and let my mind wander.

Looking at the time, I see that it’s midnight. Mom and Mark should be fast asleep.

So, I leave my room and quietly make my way down the hall. When I get to Grayson’s room, I pause, wondering if he would be upset.

Then I remember whose room I’m about to go into and smile. No, I don’t think he would care. Well, I hope not.

Opening his bedroom door, I find his sleeping form on his bed. I smile again as I close the door behind me.

Standing by the bed, I watch him for a moment. He’s laying on his back, lips parted as he snores softly. His messy black hair brushed over his forehead, and he’s shirtless displaying his tattooed chest.

He’s so damn beautiful. And he’s mine.

Tina’s words about the guys using me and tossing me to the side isn’t what got me so out of sorts. I know they wouldn’t do that to me. I might have believed it a few months ago before I’d gotten the chance to really get to know them. But not now? I don’t believe it, not with all the things they’re doing in order to be with me.

It’s the threat of what she is going to me that has me on edge. Not only do I have to worry about someone wanting to harm me outside school, but now I have to worry about someone within the school walls, too.

Not here, though. No one in this house wants to hurt me. I feel safe. But just to be sure, I slip into bed next to Grayson, careful not to move too much. Pulling the blanket up over me, I snuggle in, turn away from him, and close my eyes.

A few seconds later, I feel an arm wrap around me as a warm body presses against my back. “Mhhm,” Grayson mumbles, still asleep. “My Pretty Girl,” is all he says before his snoring resumes.

I smile, my heart pounding wildly against my ribs as that feeling of love, of safety, comes fluttering back. I fall asleep in the arms of my man.