Bully King - J.A. Huss Page 0,34
time. They made damn sure everyone knew I was their property that year. So I just… shrug and continue pulling off the duck uniform.
“I gotta go. You don’t need to lock up. No one but the people who own this place has access to it. So… I guess I’ll see you tomorrow?”
I nod, but don’t say anything. Just drag one side of the costume down my shoulder.
He turns and takes a few steps. But then he turns back. “There’s a path, Cadee. Right behind the Glass House.” He points in the general direction. “And that path takes to you to a gate. And outside that gate lives the real world. You could just slip out the gate and be done with it.” He shrugs. “Up to you. But I’m serious when I say it’s not going to get better.”
I draw in a long breath. “Thank you, Victor.” I smile at him and he returns it. “For taking the time to tell me all this. I appreciate it.”
“No problem. I wish I could be the answer you’re looking for. I think you’re nice. And I never thought you were stuck up.”
Then he turns and walks away.
Leaving me there in the locker room.
Utterly alone.
I don’t go back to the Chairman’s house. I know better.
I’m sure Cooper, Lars, and Ax are all just waiting for me to show up so they can torment me the way they used to. Make me do things. Say things. Be someone I’m not.
But that’s not even true.
They didn’t make me do anything but… enjoy them.
I enjoyed them. All of them.
That’s the kind of power they wield.
There is no shower in the Glass House. So I strip off my costume, walk out to the lake naked, and wash myself off in the brown lake water.
When I return to the Glass House to find clothes, there is nothing to put on that is dry or clean except a too-big white t-shirt that belonged to one of the pledges.
I slip it over my head and curl up in one of the many chairs in the main room.
“Cadee Hunter.”
I hear the words in my dream. Him. Cooper Valcourt.
“Cadee!”
I open my eyes to the dim light of stars shining down from the glass wall. And then startle when Cooper is sitting in the chair across from me. “What? What did I do?” I scramble in my chair, realize I’m only wearing someone else’s too-big t-shirt and no panties or shorts, and then quickly rearrange my legs to cover myself up.
“What the fuck are you wearing?”
“What?”
“Why are you dressed like that?”
I look down at the t-shirt. “I didn’t have any clothes.”
“What the hell are you doing here?”
“What do you mean? I thought I was supposed to sleep here?”
He gets to his feet and starts pacing. “My father is pissed off.”
“Why?”
“Because you didn’t show up for dinner. And when he sent someone to your cottage to get you—making us all wait at the fucking table as the food got cold—you weren’t there.”
“I couldn’t get across the lake.”
He glares at me. “Are you purposefully trying to ruin my life?”
“Ha! That’s a good one! You’re the one trying to ruin my life.”
“Get up. We’re going home.”
“Your house is not my home, Cooper.”
“Well, my dad wants you there. To make sure you’re OK. So get your fucking ass up and let’s go.” And then he’s up, pulling me to my feet and yanking on my arm.
I wrench out of his grip and back away. “No. Fuck you.”
His eyes trace down my legs. Then he narrows his eyes and they track back up to me. “Do you even have shorts on under that shirt?”
“Where would I get clean shorts? Huh, Cooper? You guys ruined my clothes.”
“You were wearing them under that costume.” He laughs like this is funny. Then he stops. “You don’t have on underwear either. Jesus fucking Christ. Are you trying to get raped?”
I go instantly hot all over. Then I snarl at him. “I fucking hate you.”
He shakes his head. “I don’t care. But you’d better be careful what you say. I might take that admission as a threat. Are you threatening me, Cadee?”
“No.” I fold my arms across my chest. Because I’m not wearing a bra and the AC is still on and it’s freezing in here. My nipples are all perky. And I do not want Cooper Valcourt to think he’s affecting me like that. Because he’s not. I will never fall for his lies again. Ever. Not after the way he used