The Other World_A Reverse Harem Series Read online

  My lips for an O. “Okay, I get it. So, we’re kind of in the same boat then, since I haven’t told Blaine how I feel either.”

  “Maybe.” He restlessly taps his fingers on top of the steering wheel. “Do you think you will?”

  I firmly shake my head. “Definitely not now.”

  “Do you think you would’ve if”—he hesitates—“if you hadn’t caught Masie and Blaine doing … well, you know.”

  Honestly, no, I don’t know. Sure, I saw them kissing, but that doesn’t mean it was the first time they made out. For all I know, they’ve hooked up a ton and I’ve just been blind and naive. Then, why did Masie keep insisting Blaine likes me and encouraging me to go for it? Who knows? Perhaps she was messing with my head and getting some sort of twisted pleasure out of watching my heart shatter. That doesn’t really sound like Masie, but at this point, I’m not sure I know her at all. Maybe I never did. Perhaps she was one of those plastic people—fake on the outside and the inside.

  I sigh, casting a glance behind us again to see if the car is still tailing us. Then I breathe in relief. It’s gone. I must just be paranoid.

  “What’s that in your hand?” West asks, changing the subject.

  “This?” When I hold up the note, he nods. I fiddle with the edge of the paper. “Well, on top of finding Masie and Blaine making out in the pool, my car was stolen.”

  “What?” West’s eyes enlarge. “Are you shitting me?”

  “Nope. I’m one hundred percent shitting free right now, unfortunately.” I unfold the note. “And, on top of everything, I found this in the driveway where my car should’ve been.” I set the note on the console and flatten the edges down.

  He quickly reads the note then focuses back on the road. “That is, by far, the weirdest fucking thing I’ve ever seen.” His confusion seems to deepen, and he looks a bit worried.

  “So, you’ve never heard of anything like this before? Or seen the symbol?”

  He shakes his head, his confusion doubling, but a drop of worry resides in his eyes. “Did you try looking it up on the internet?”

  I nod, folding up the note and setting it on my lap. “Yep, and nothing came up.”

  He cracks his knuckles against the steering wheel, seeming restless. “Did you find the clue they left behind?”

  I shake my head. “Nope. But I didn’t really get a chance to look because Masie came running out of the house and I took off.”

  “Did you call the police?”

  “The note said not to.”

  “Yeah? So what? They stole your car. What do they think is going to happen?”

  I anxiously tap the note against the palm of my hand. “The note said they’d tell Blaine that I’m in love with him.”

  He raises his brows. “Is keeping that a secret really worth losing your car?”

  “Who says I’m not going to find it?”

  “You act like you’re kind of happy about this, and that you’re going to solve the mystery.”

  I smile, and surprisingly, the movement doesn’t ache as much as it did early. I’m not surprised. If there’s one thing I love as much as Blaine, it’s a good mystery. In fact, I love mysteries a hell of a lot more right now.

  “That’s exactly what I’m going to do,” I say, sitting up straighter in the seat. No more wallowing, Alexis! You’re tougher than this! “I’m going to solve the shit out of the mystery, get my damn car back, and then … Well, that’s all I have right now, but it’s a start.” I pound my hand dramatically against my legs

  He chuckles. “Aw, look at you. A cute, little detective. But I’m not surprised. You’ve always been into mysteries.”

  “Yeah, I have.” I pause. Wait. Back the hell up. “Wait a sec. Did you just call me cute?”

  He rolls his eyes. “I’ve called you cute before.”

  Now I roll my eyes. “Yeah, when you were teasing me, which FYI, you do all the time.”

  “How do you know I’m teasing you?” he questions, appearing highly amused. “Maybe I mean everything I’ve ever said to you.”

  “So, you really believe I’m a fairy princess from the realm of Spoiled Brat?” I repeat the nickname he gave me in fifth grade.

  “Hey, that was a long time ago. You can’t hold that against me, or I’ll hold it against you that you called me West the pest who lives in a rat’s nest.” His muses over something. “You know, when I really think about it, we were pretty clever for grade schoolers.”

  “I may have been clever,” I tease. “You were just cleverly stupid.”

  Narrowing his eyes, he reaches over and lightly pinches me on the thigh in a ticklish sort of way. I nearly jump out of my seat. I hate, hate—let me stress hate—being tickled, and West knows that.

  He repeats the movement. “Take that back, Alexis with pretty blue eyes.”

  “Never.” My eyes water as he continues to tickle me, but through the laughter, my heart aches a bit.

  “Hey, no frowning.” He slants his head to the side, sending strands of blond hair into his eyes. His hand is still resting on my leg, only now, instead of tickling me, he’s tracing a light path up and down my thigh. “Come on, Alexis; cheer up.”

  I resist a shiver, despite the tingling sensations kissing across my legs, arms, neck—everywhere. WTF.

  Push his hand off, Alexis. This is West.

  “I didn’t realize I was frowning.” And I don’t think I am anymore.

  I cast a casual glance in the visor’s mirror and, yep, sure enough, I’m not frowning. But I don’t think my confused, doe-eyed, lost in la la lust land look is any better.

  What the fuck am I thinking right now? Is that, like, my getting turned on face?

  He continues to move his finger up and down my thigh from my knee to the bottom of my shorts, back and forth … back … and forth …

  Okay, okay, okay, what the shit is happening?

  My eyelids flutter shut as a moan fights its way up my throat. I swear I hear West groan, but the noise is cut off by the screeching of brakes.

  My eyes fly right back open as I’m thrown forward, my seatbelt locking up and throwing me right back against the seat.

  When I blink dazedly at the front of the car, all lust goes flying out the window, which I’m freakin’ grateful for … I think.

  I narrow my eyes at Masie, who’s standing in front of the car with her hands out in front of her, eyes huge, breathing fierce, her face bright red.

  “What the hell is that crazy woman doing?” West mumbles as he shoves the shifter into park. Then he sticks his head out the window and yells, “Do you have a death wish or something?”

  “Oh, shut the hell up, West,” she snaps, her gaze skating back to mine. She swallows hard, her eyes watering. “Alexis, please, just listen to me, okay?” She positions herself in front of the car, putting her hands on the hood and raising her voice over the grumbling engine. “I didn’t mean for it to happen … We were just swimming, and he kissed me.” She shakes her head. “But that’s no excuse. I’m your best friend, and I should’ve talked to you first before I did anything.”

  For a brief moment, I feel kind of bad for her. She looks so tormented, so upset …

  Hold up. Wait a second …

  “Are you saying you wanted to kiss Blaine?” I grit through my teeth. “That you’ve thought about it before?”

  More tears pool in her eyes, her bottom lip quivering as she fights not to cry. “I didn’t mean to fall for him. It just sort of happened.”

  I’m not sure whether I’m heartbroken or pissed off.

  “For how long?”

  A crease forms at her brows. “What do you mean?”

  “How long have you two been hooking up?” I bite out. Yes, it’s an assumption, but I know Masie very well. When she wants a guy, she doesn’t mess around; she just goes for it. So, if she’s saying she likes Blaine, then …

  I swallow the lump crammed in my throat. Her silence says it all.

  “So, it’s true, then?” My voi
ce cracks. “That wasn’t the first time you guys kissed?”

  Tears spill from her eyes as she slowly shakes her head. “We’ve been seeing each other for a few months. I’m so sorry, Alexis. I wanted to tell you, but I—”

  I cut her off with a sharp laugh. “You wanted to tell me?” I laugh again, the sound hauntingly eerie.

  West reaches over, placing a hand in mine. I don’t try to shove him away like I normally would, probably because I’m too distracted by the storm of anger grumbling inside me.

  “Sure, you did. That’s why you continued to encourage me to go for it with him. Why would you do that if you knew my heart was just going to get broken?”

  She’s crying so hard now, snot running down her face. “I’m so sorry. I thought, if I kept pretending like nothing was happening between Blaine and I, you wouldn’t find out.” She sobs. “But things got so out of hand … and Blaine, he kept saying we should tell you so this wouldn’t happen. But I was so scared.”

  I curl my hands into fists, nearly squeezing the life out of West’s hand. He doesn’t so much as flinch.

  “You told Blaine I like him?” She’s lucky I’m not kicking her ass yet, but I’m getting close.

  Her bottom lip starts to quiver. “I’m sorry. It just sort of slipped out. He was flirting with me, and I said I couldn’t date him. He kept pushing me, asking why, and I let it slip.” She rushes toward the passenger side of the car and grips the door. “Please, Alexis, don’t let this ruin our friendship. I know we can get past this.” Her gaze flicks to West, and then back to me. “Just come someplace with me. Someplace where we can talk. Just you and me. I know we can fix this, Alexis. Please, please, please.” She’s babbling hysterically.

  Maybe if she’d just hooked up with him once, I could’ve gotten past this. But I can’t forgive how she told Blaine I liked him and how she continually pushed me to go for it with him when she knew I could never have him. How she’s been lying to me.

  I look at West. “Just go before I get out and kick her ass.”

  West nods and reaches for the shifter while Masie lets out a heart-wrenching sob.

  “Alexis, no, no, no,” she babbles, trying to open my door. “We can’t just let this go. We need to fix this. You’re my best friend!”

  I shake my head, lock the door, and start to roll up the window. “No, we’re not. In fact, I’m not sure we ever were.” The words cut against my lips, because they carry so much truth.

  I may have thought Masie and I were best friends, but that was a lie. Best friends don’t do what she did to me. And the friendship we once had will never be the same.

  Not ever again.

  Alexis

  After West drives away, leaving Masie in another cloud of dust and a sea of self-pitying tears, I remain quiet for a long time. So long that I’m sure I start to freak him out. But I can’t find any words to follow what just happened. I mean, what are you supposed to say after your best friend begged for your forgiveness in the middle of the street after admitting she stabbed you in the back and in the heart?

  “Oh, my God, feelings suck,” I mutter.

  Well, I guess it’s better than I freaking hate my traitor, stabbing, heart-stomping friend.

  West chuckles.

  When I shoot him a look, he holds up a hand in front of him.

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to laugh at you.” He bites on his lip to keep from smiling. “It’s just that … I think that same thing all the time.”

  “That feelings suck?”

  “Yep.”

  “Oh.” I pause. “Is that why you haven’t ever been in a real relationship? Or is that because of your parents?” I shake my head and look away. “You know what? Forget I said that. It’s none of my damn business.”

  “No, it’s fine,” he promises, not sounding offended. “And the answer is neither.”

  I flit a glance in his direction. “Really?”

  He nods, amusement sparkling in his eyes. “Yes, really.”

  Confusion does the disco inside my brain. “Why do you seem so smiley about that?”

  “No reason.” He winks. “Besides, you should know by now that I’m a smiley sort of guy.”

  I snort a laugh. “Sure, you are.”

  He presses his hand to his chest. “How you wound me so.”

  I roll my eyes. “Easy, wannabe Shakespeare.”

  He chuckles. “You know, normal girls like that romantic shit.”

  “Well, I’m not a normal girl.”

  “No, you’re not.”

  The way he says it makes me feel strangely proud. And the way he looks at me causes tingles to nip at my neck where he sucked. I’m not sure I like how great he’s making me feel at the moment.

  “Why are you looking at me like that?” I ask.

  “Like what?” He keeps looking at me the same way.

  I eye him over. “I don’t know … like you’re a sugar junkie, and I’m a candy bar you’re about to devour.”

  He sinks his teeth into his lip and turns away, staring at the road, gripping the wheel so tightly his knuckles turn white. “You have no idea, Alexis, no idea.”

  “Okay, what the freakin’ troll babies is that supposed to mean?” And why does my belly feel like it’s full of wiggling jellybeans?

  Instead of answering, he gives me another look. A look that I’m pretty sure a guy has never given me before, one that makes my entire body tremble.

  I try to tell myself that I’m all amped up over what happened between Masie and me, but I don’t think that’s the real reason. Is it because I’m hurting and seeking a distraction from the pain?

  Yeah, that’s got to be it. My walls have come down, and I’m feeling too much. I need to put them back up so I don’t have to deal with reality. And the reality is that I thought I was in love with a guy who will never love me back. And for weeks he’s known I’ve been in love with him and has been hiding the fact that he’s been hooking up with Masie. My two best friends have been lying to me. Together.

  And then there’s West. He’s always honest. Too honest most of the time. Still, I’ve never had to guess anything with him. He’s always been pretty straightforward, and he really saved my ass when all this shit hit the fan. In fact, he’s been kind of sweet.

  “Okay, now why are you looking at me like that?” he asks, releasing his lip from his teeth.

  “I’m not,” I lie, tearing my attention off him. Then I hastily change the subject, not ready to confess exactly where my thoughts were. “So, where are we going?”

  It takes him a moment to answer, his gaze practically boring a hole into the side of my head.

  “Fine, I’ll let you off the hook for now. Next time you look at me like that, though, I’m going to wiggle the truth out of you.” His tone turns devious. “No matter what it takes.”

  “Oh no, not the ‘no matter what it takes’ threat,” I mock, trying to sidetrack us away from whatever the hell this hungry, belly full of jellybeans thing going on between us is.

  “And we’re going to Masie’s,” West adds as an afterthought as he glances at his phone.

  “What?” I reach for the door handle, preparing to jump out of the car if I have to. “No. Don’t take me back there. I’m worried if I see her again, I’ll kick her ass. And I can’t get arrested again.”

  “Again, huh?” he teases. “What’s your number up to now?”

  “I don’t know … like, five?”

  “You’re lucky your sister has a cop for a friend.”

  “Yeah, probably.”

  He grins, and the corners of my lips quirk up into an almost smile, yet I don’t quite make it there.

  He sighs. “I’m taking you to Masie’s so we can look for that clue. And don’t worry; she won’t be there.”

  “How do you know that for sure?”

  Guilt masks his expression. “I’m not sure if I should tell you.”

  “West, just tell me,” I gripe. “You’ve always been honest with me, even when the truth
hurts.”

  “That’s not completely true,” he reminds me. “Remember that one time when I saw your cat get ran over and I didn’t tell you for a week because I knew you’d get upset?”

  “Oh yeah, I forgot about that.” I drum my fingers on top of my knee. “I actually thought that was kind of sweet.”

  He gives me a skeptical look. “Really? Because, at the time, you seemed pissed off.”

  I offer him an apologetic look. “Yeah, I know. And I’m sorry I was. I just get that way sometimes. Besides, there’s always sort of been this challenge going on between us.”

  “What do you mean?” he asks too innocently.

  “I think you know what I mean.”

  “Okay, maybe I do.”

  “Then, why pretend you didn’t?”

  He shrugs then sighs. “Because I don’t want it to exist anymore.” He shrugs again, seeming lost and confused and kind of vulnerable. “When I first met you, it was pretty clear you weren’t a fan of me, so I played it off by teasing you.”

  “It’s not that I didn’t not like you. You just know how to push my buttons.”

  His brow curves upward in skepticism. “Really? Because sometimes it seems like you hate me.”

  I cross my arms, feeling vulnerable, and I don’t like it at all. “I know we tease each other and everything, but I’ve never thought: hey, I hate West. In fact, I’ve always thought you were kind of funny, even when I’m the butt of your jokes.”

  “You’ve never been the butt of my jokes. And I’m sorry if I made you feel that way.” He nibbles on his lip, appearing undecided about something. I can tell the moment he arrives at the decision, because he smirks. “I’ve always thought of our little bantering as flirting.”

  “Ha, yeah right.” I roll my eyes.

  “Deep down, I know you think the same thing.”

  “I so do not.”

  “Sure, you don’t.”

  “West, I do not and stop saying that.”

  “What? Stop saying the truth? That just seems silly.” A wicked glint flickers in his eyes. “Besides, back at the park, I could tell you liked me biting your neck.”