Hollow (Hollow Point #1) (13 page)

I should have left. At least then the image I’d conjured up in my mind of Riley would have remained intact. I was thankful that for once, I didn’t just fuck her earlier and get it out of my system because she turned out to be exactly what I thought she was rebelling against. She had fooled me the same way Ezra was fooling her. But his time was coming.

I pulled out my phone and after several rings, Ivory answered.

“It’s late,” he groaned. “You have the money?”

“I’m getting it. The client is coming for the bike on Monday. In the meantime, I have something that may interest you.”

“I’m listening.”

“It’s business. Tomorrow night, meet me out at the sites. I’ll text you the time.”

“Alright,” he replied before hanging up.

I shoved my phone in my pocket, already regretting making the call, but I had to do what was best for me now. Riley had one night left to make good on her side of the deal. After that, I’d just have to sit back and watch her world implode.

SEVENTEEN

I blinked my eyes open, focusing on the alarm clock beside my bed, before I squeezed my eyes shut, hoping that it had all been a terrible nightmare.

There was a knock at my door, and I groaned as I sat up, stretching my arms over my head before stifling a yawn.

“Go away.”

“Get up. We have stuff to do,” Knox replied as I flopped back onto my pillow.

“It’s too early to deal with you,” I grumbled.

The door opened, and Knox walked into view, flipping on the light before shoving his hands deep into the pockets of his jeans. I closed my eyes, placing my arm over my face.

“You don’t know how to take a hint.”

“And you don’t know how to listen.” I cracked open an eye as I heard his footsteps approach, watching him slip inside of my closet. He pulled a t-shirt from the hanger and held it up.

“That’s cute, but I don’t think it’s your size.”

He chuckled before tossing the shirt on the end of my bed.

“Blue is not really my color. Get dressed. We’re in a hurry.” I rolled my eyes. I don’t think I’d seen him wear any shirts that weren’t black, white, or gray.

“Hurry for what?” Sitting up I grabbed the shirt as a pair of jeans came flying at me.

“We have some things to do before the party. There’s been a small change of plans.”

“I wasn’t sure you were still going to help me.”

“Why wouldn’t I?”

“Because of last night.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

“I’m not… worried… but I just wanted you to know those pills weren’t mine. I mean, they were, but Ezra gave them to me. I wasn’t going to take them. I don’t take anything outside of birth control and vitamins… anymore.”

“It’s none of my business, Princess.” He replied, running his hand through his hair.

“So, does this mean we’re cool now?”

He shrugged, and his back stiffened. “Just trying to keep up my end of the deal.”

My heart sank. It didn’t matter what I did or said, my past had caught up with me, and I could never change what people thought of me. “Get out.”

His eyes narrowed as I threw off my covers and climbed from the bed. “Unless you want to watch me get undressed.”

His gaze traveled down my body before he nodded and walked out of my bedroom, pulling the door closed behind him. I got dressed, cursing him under my breath before brushing my teeth and pulling my hair back into a low braid.

By the time I was ready, it was nearly seven o’clock in the morning. I traipsed down the steps and stopped at the entryway to the kitchen. Knox was leaning against the island with a bottle of water in his hand.

“Looks much better on you than it would have on me,” he joked.

“Eh, I prefer a darker blue,” I replied before shaking my head. “I mean,
thank you
.”

“Manners. I’m impressed.”

“I’m full of surprises,” I laughed as I pulled my purse strap over my head to wear it across my body.

“So where are we going? Party supply store? You want to get some balloons and streamers?” I joked as we walked out of the front door and down the steps.

“Not exactly.” He grabbed the spare helmet from his bike and held it out to me.

“Can’t we just take my car?”

“Going on the bike is like therapy. Trust me. It’s a great way to clear your head, not that much is going on up there.”

I smacked him on the chest before taking the helmet and putting it on my head, making sure it was the right way this time.

“Fast learner,” he praised as he swung his leg over the bike.

I slid on behind him and wrapped my arms around his waist. “I bet you only ride this thing because it’s the only way to get a decent woman to touch you.”

The bike roared to life, and he yelled over the sound of the engine. “That’s not true. I also get women like
you
to touch me.”

Before I could respond, we pulled out, heading down the driveway and out of the gate. The air was warm and the early morning sun felt great against my cheeks. I closed my eyes, angling my face up to the sky, my stomach flipping as we made our way over the hills.

By the time we arrived at our destination I was sad the ride was over. I blinked open my eyes and looked around the swath of trees.

“What is this place?” I took off my helmet, craning my neck from side to side.

“Come on,” He took my helmet and put it beside his on the bike.

“You want me to follow you into the woods?” I asked as he looked back over his shoulder, smiling.

“Relax, if I were going to kill you, I wouldn’t do it out here.”

I took a few steps and stopped again. “So where
would
you do it?”

He laughed and continued on. “If I told you it wouldn’t be a surprise, now would it?” Glancing back over his shoulder, he winked.

“That’s not funny.” I caught up with him, thankful I’d worn jeans.

“Yes, it was. You just don’t have a sense of humor.”

“Is there a point to all of this? There are bugs and animals out here.” I cringed as we stepped into a clearing with a large metal ring in the center. “What is this place?”

“
This
is where we have your party.”

“You’re joking right?”

“See, this is what I mean. If you had a sense of humor, you would know that wasn’t a joke.”

I groaned, letting my shoulders drop. “This party is supposed to be legendary. Haven’t you ever seen a scary movie? This is how they all begin.”

“You’re scared?”

“What if there are bears or something?”

“You have nothing to worry about. Animals can sense evil. You’ll be safe.”

“Funny.”

His mouth opened wide as if in shock. “Very good. You’re learning.”

I rolled my eyes, walking around the metal bin and looking up into the trees. “What is that thing?”

“That is where the campfire will be.”

“Shit. You really weren’t lying when you told Greta that we were going camping.”

“I’m a lot of things, but a liar ain’t one of them, Princess.”

***

After having his friends drop by and grab the keg and the rest of the alcohol, Knox left for a few hours to get things ready for tonight. Tatum and I spent that time trying to find new outfits to wear since her dress would no longer be appropriate.

“What about this?” Tatum held up a pair of jeans with a yellow blouse.

“Hmm…” I stepped into my closet and pulled out a white gauze sweater. “Take this. It may get a little chilly out there tonight.”

After we had both dressed and I put the finishing touches on Tatum’s makeup, we climbed into my car and set off for the campsite.

“Woah, forgetting someone?” Ezra asked as he climbed over the door, jumping into the back seat of my convertible.

“I was trying to,” I groaned, but his grin was wide when I looked into my rearview mirror.

***

We pulled into the grass outside of the trees alongside several other cars and Knox’s bike.

“What the hell is this?” Ezra asked as we climbed out of the car.

“When in Rome,” I muttered but I understood his apprehension. This wasn’t the type of party I was expecting, and the sun was already setting. It wouldn’t be long until people began to arrive. “Let’s just go see what he came up with.”

We walked through the tree line and into the clearing, and I almost fell over as I looked around. The trees twinkled with Christmas lights hung from the branches, mimicking the night sky, and several hammocks were tied up around the edge of the clearing. A few tents were set up as well, and I bristled at the idea of sleeping outside.

“I wasn’t sure you’d come back,” Knox called out from behind a tent. “What do you think?” He asked, waving his hand.

“It’s… kind of cool,” I conceded.

“Kind of?” His eyebrow rose, and I laughed.

“This looks like a homeless camp,” Ezra groaned, walking between us and toward the fire pit that already had already been lit.

“Ignore him. His idea of roughing it is staying in our guest house while his place is being furnished.”

“Do I get my own tent?” Tatum asked, and Knox shook his head. “You mean so you and Bryce can sleep alone tonight? Hell no. You two will be sharing the orange and gray one over there.”

“Where are you sleeping?” I asked, my eyes dancing over the other three tents.

“The red one next to yours so I can make sure no wild animals … or idiots attack you in the middle of the night.”

“I can’t even get a signal on my phone,” Ezra called from by the fire, his arm raised in the air.

“What about Ezra?” I asked, looking back to Knox.

“He’s one of the idiots I was referring to.”

“He can stay with me. We can make room.”

“Now
that
sounds like a party,” Tatum joked, but she quickly hid her smile when Knox glared at her.

“No fucking way,” he shot back before he looked to me. “He can sleep in the dirt. Give the bears something to snack on. He wasn’t part of the deal,” he shrugged. Tatum’s eyebrows pulled together in confusion.

Liam poured us both a drink as I tapped out a quick text message to Ivory with the site number.

“What’s going on with you and blondie over there?”

“What do you mean?” I asked as I pulled a cigarette from my pack and lit it.

“We’ve been friends, what, ten years?”

“You want the count to continue? Choose your words carefully,” I warned.

Liam laughed, not the least bit scared of me. “You could do a lot worse. She’s hot, she’s got a lot of money...”

“She’s crazy. And you should never stick your -”

“- dick in crazy.” He chuckled. “A lesson I am still trying to learn.” He took my cigarette and pulled a drag from it. “Mind if I take a shot at her?”

I grabbed his shirt in my fist and pushed him lightly but with the alcohol, it was enough to knock him off balance and fall on his ass. “Shut up.”

“She seems to have some history with that prick she brought along.”

I nodded as I watched her. “After tonight, that’s exactly what it will be…
history
.”

We fell silent for a moment as we people watched. “I know you think joining the club would make you like your dad, but you’re not like him. You wouldn’t just runaway.”

My eyes cut to him and for a brief moment, I wanted to tell him that’s exactly what I had wanted to do.

EIGHTEEN

Guests began to arrive shortly after nightfall, but Knox and his friends had already started to party an hour ago. I sat on a tree stump, cup of frothy beer from the keg in my hand, as I listened to the guys tell stories around the fire.

They laughed and joked about themselves and each other. It was so different from what I was used to. Their words weren’t vindictive or cruel. Ezra was already stumbling and cursing about how bored he was under his breath. Every once in a while Knox would watch him and look at me as if it was my fault Ezra was a jackass.

When Bryce arrived with his friends, Knox finally offered me a reprieve from his glares and his attention was now focused on Tatum.

“You know, he’s not that bad,” I whispered as Knox took a drink of his beer.

“Like I trust
your
judgment.” He looked to Ezra and back to me.

“I meant Bryce. You know if you tell her to leave him alone, she’ll only want him more.”

“Not everyone wants what they can’t have. Some people are content with their lives, Princess.”

I shrugged as I watched Tatum twist her hair around her finger as she leaned in closer to Bryce, his hand on her side. “You have
no
idea what you’re talking about.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. I know exactly what the hell I’m talking about. Bryce is no good.”

“Where’s the bathroom around this place?” Ezra asked, slurring his words.

“It’s the fucking woods. Pick a tree,” Knox snapped as Ezra looked around before stumbling off into the dark.

I leaned in closer to Knox to try to keep our conversation semi-private. “Why are you being such a dick to him?”

“What kind of man has never pissed outside before?”

Rolling my eyes, I noted that he had refilled his beer several times. “One who has indoor plumbing.”

“Or one who sits down to pee. I don’t like him,” he shrugged.

“You don’t have to. Just be nice. This is my party, and he’s a friend.”

“Just remember that we had an agreement when I set up this party for you, and I’m really starting to doubt you’re going to hold up your end.”

I stood up, brushing the dirt from my bottom as a girl with dirty-blonde hair made her way toward us with a bright grin on her face.

“Hey, Knox,” she cooed.

“I didn’t think you were coming,” his smile was as big as hers. “You didn’t respond to my last text.”

“Like I’d ever miss one of your parties.” She stepped around me and sank down on Knox’s lap.

“You mean
my
party.” I plastered on a fake grin as the girl looked up at me, her eyes assessing me before she smiled in return.

“I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Cadence.”

“Riley,” I replied before looking to Knox, who was whispering something into her ear and causing her to giggle. “I’m going to go find Ezra.”

I stumbled back a few steps before turning around and searching the dark for Ezra. I found him surrounded by a few girls who were stroking his ego as he promised them that he could get them roles on his show. Rolling my eyes, I cut through the small crowd and grabbed his arm, pulling him away from them.

“Sorry, ladies. I need to steal him away for a moment.”

There were a few groans and Ezra promised he’d return as I took him over to the tents so we could talk privately. I was ready to put an end to this deal once and for all so I could cut Knox out of my life for good.

“I need a favor from you.”

His eyes lit up as he stuck his hand in his pocket, pulling out two pills. “The blue one will make you feel nothing, the red will make you feel everything. Which is it,
Alice
?”

“That’s
not
what I meant.”

He shrugged as I pulled my lower lip between my teeth, looking over my shoulder at Knox whose lips were moving along Cadence’s neck as she giggled.

Ezra popped the red one into his mouth before taking my drink and finishing it off. “Now, what is it you need?”

“You see that guy that Tatum is talking to? That’s her boyfriend, Bryce. Knox wants him gone, but Tatum isn’t going to just walk away from him without a…
distraction
.”

“And what are you getting out of all of this?” His eyes narrowed.

I looked back at where Knox had been sitting put the spot was now vacant. I didn’t know why I cared, or what Cadence had that I didn’t, but none of that mattered now. A deal’s a deal, and I was going to keep up my end, but on my terms.

“You don’t have something going on with him, do you?”

“Just help me out. I’ll take care of Bryce.”

I took my cup back from Ezra and headed over to Bryce as my body began to feel light and the anger that was starting to consume me evaporated.

“Bryce,” I called out when I was only a few steps from Tatum. Both of them looked to me, and I had to blink several times to bring them into focus. “Can you help me work the beer thing. I’m so stupid, I can’t figure it out.”

He smirked, immediately standing taller. “The keg? Yeah, I can help you out.”

“Thanks.” I glanced over Bryce’s shoulder to Ezra, who was already making his way toward us.

I began to chat up Bryce, pulling him toward the keg as Ezra started up a conversation with Tatum so she wouldn’t follow us.

“This is a great party,” he said, his voice cutting through the fog that was settling in my head.

“I can’t take credit for that. That was all Knox’s work,” I admitted as he filled my cup.

“The trick is, tilting the cup to the side and pouring it really slowly, you get less head that way.”

“I never thought I’d hear a guy say he’d like less head,” I quipped as my drink overflowed the cup, running over his hand and down his pant leg.

“Shit,” he jumped back, shaking off his damp arm.

“It’s okay. Did you bring extra clothes?”

“No, all I brought was a sleeping bag to sleep out under the stars.”

“You can change in my tent. It’s the orange one right over there. I’m sure Ezra brought something you can wear.”

“Thanks,” he smiled as he handed me my drink. I took a sip, searching the crowd for Tatum but I didn’t see her or Ezra.

“Come on,” I looped my arm in his and stumble-stepped my way toward the tent.

“Woah, you’re a little wobbly.”

“I’m fine. Just not used to walking in the woods,” I slurred as he bent down to unzip my tent.

“Thanks,” Crawling inside I grabbed Ezra’s bag and yanked it open, flipping through his clothing before my hand landed on a bottle of pills. Groaning, I dropped it and continued searching as Bryce crawled in beside me.

“These will do.” He grabbed a pair of jeans. “You sure he’s cool with this?”

I waved my hand. “He won’t even notice,” I assured him before crawling to the tent door and stepping back outside and fumbling with the zipper. My eyes locked on to Knox’s. Cadence was standing with her back toward me, talking animatedly with her hands. I was lost in a daze as Bryce crawled out of the tent and stood beside me as he pulled up his zipper and thanked me.

Some guy walked over, slapping and shaking hands with Bryce. His voice was coming in and out in waves as he praised Bryce. “I can’t believe you hit that with your girl here and everything.”

“It’s not like that,” Bryce explained, but it was too late. This was how rumors began, and if I could feel anything right now, it would be pride. I tipped my cup of beer to my mouth and took a sip before running my finger along my lower lip.

“Thanks again, Bryce.” I held up my beer. “So, less head next time if I go nice and slow, right?”

“Right.” He shot me a lopsided grin as I turned to stumble away. I could hear his friend laughing.

My stomach turned knowing I had just ruined any chance at friendship with Tatum. I felt as hollow inside as I pretended to be every day. A deal was a deal, and this one little rumor would handle everything I needed to do.

I sank down on a stump in front of the fire, taking another sip from my cup, watching the flames dance in front of me. A large shadow stepped in front of me, and my eyes traveled upward, locking onto Knox’s face.

“That didn’t take long.”

I snorted, stifling a laugh. “Well, don’t tell poor Bryce that, you might hurt his fragile ego. You look surprised. You didn’t think I’d hold up my end of the deal? I’m not a liar
either
, Knox.”

He shook his head before sinking down on his haunches. His hand grabbed my chin, forcing me to look at him.

“Yes, you are.” His voice trailed off. “We both are.”

I swatted away his hand, turning my head away so I wouldn’t have to look him in the eye. “No, I’m not.”

Knox pushed to his feet as his eyes scanned the crowd. “Where’s Tatum?”

“I dunno. The last time I saw her, she was with Ezra.” I shrugged. Knox bent over; his face only inches from mine.

“You let her go off with that fucking junkie?”

“I thought it was
your
job to watch her. You were too busy with Candace over there.”

“Cadence.”

“How come you can remember her name and not mine?”

“What?” He straightened again as he stared down at me like I had lost my mind.

“You never call me by my name.”

“Maybe
hers
is worth knowing,” he spat angrily before storming off, pulling his phone out of his pocket. My eyes focused back on the fire, but it blurred as fresh tears pricked my eyes. I swallowed hard, refusing to let them fall as I focused again on the fire.