Chapter Twelve
For the first time in what felt like weeks, the skies were blue with not a cloud to smear its clarity. The sun was bright and high in the sky as Sarah and Alex walked down the sidewalk of downtown Ipswich, shopping bags swinging from each of their hands. Something Alex hadn't done since her arrival in the town.
She received her first check just the night before with the plan of giving some to Blair, to start paying back for her Ducati. But Blair reminded her she didn't want to be paid back. All she wanted was for Alex to keep up with her homework and stay out of trouble. So with Blair's blessing, Alex was eager for her arms to burn with the weight of bags full of new clothes.
"Oh!" Sarah exclaimed suddenly. "I've been wanting to check this place out since it opened." She bee-lined through the open door, face lit up in excitement.
'This place' ended up being quite different from the other stores they visited that day. Unlike the rest, this boutique exuded a sensual mood with its dark red walls and black draping fabric. On one side of the room were clothes: dresses, pants, and shirts all surprisingly suggestive for Ipswich standards. Alex's gaze moved to the side opposite and found racks of lingerie. Her eyebrows rose a bit, impressed by the quality and quantity of the lacy fabric, even from far away. She turned back to Sarah to find the blonde already with an armful of clothes and a maniac grin on her face.
Alex smiled. "Oh my. Should I call for help?"
Sarah rolled her eyes but let out a giggle of delight. "Only if it's to get me a dressing room."
As Sarah made her way to the back of the store to try on her choices, Alex weaved through the racks and tables. Within a few minutes she had a dozen things to try on, and ended up in a dressing room right next to Sarah. The only thing separating them and the rest of the store was a thick curtain of velvet. A full length mirror leaned against one wall, and she was pleased to find the lighting was not an unflattering florescent. She shimmed into a pair of dark jeans and couldn't help but smile. They were low-rise and so tight they hugged every curve from hip to ankle. She spun in front of the mirror, satisfied with how good they made her butt look. The shirt she tried on skimmed the top of the jeans, the front rose up past her collar but the back dropped halfway down her back. This was definitely an outfit to be seen in.
In the end, she settled on two pairs of jeans, three tops and a form fitting dress.
Sarah was still wasn't finished trying on clothes by the time Alex paid. At the moment, Sarah stood in front of a large mirror set just outside the dressing rooms, turning each way to see the outfit.
"How does this look?" Sarah asked. She turned to face Alex who now sat in a plush chair to her right, her shopping bags on the floor in front of her.
Alex tilted her head to the side and looked closely at the blonde in the purple strapless dress. The fabric lifted from her body as she did another spin. "It's cute but there's rarely any sun so what's the point in buying a sundress?"
"Because," she began, twirling back to the mirror. "On the rare occasion the sun does decide to make an appearance, I can wear it." She met Alex's gaze over her shoulder. "I think I'll get it."
Alex waited as Sarah changed and gathered what she wanted, leaving the clothes she didn't want in the dressing room. As Sarah paid, Alex wandered to the lingerie side of the store. A table near the front of the store caught her eye because in the center sat a bowl of furry handcuffs. Moving closer she realized the rainbow of colored fabric surrounding it were rows of crotch-less panties. "How provocative." She picked up a pair of barely there undies and held them up as Sarah approached. "You should get a pair."
A deep blush warmed Sarah's cheeks. She snatched the fabric hanging from Alex's fingertips and threw them back on the table. Alex laughed loudly at the blonde's sudden embarrassment.
"Come on," she laughed then paused to look closer at her friend. "Wait, you and Caleb have had sex, right?"
"Yes!" Sarah hissed, the color still in her cheeks. "We just aren't that…risqué."
Alex picked up a pair of handcuffs and twirled them around her finger. "Well, I think you should give risqué a try. I'm sure Caleb wouldn't object."
"How about you worry about your own sex life," Sarah said with a teasing glare. "Speaking of, how are things going?"
Alex set the handcuffs back in the bowl and adjusted the bags in her hands. Her eyebrows pulled together in question, not following.
"With Reid!" Sarah replied with a grin. "I see how you two flirt. The sexual tension between you guys is suffocating. Just date already."
"You're kidding, right?" Alex scoffed and pulled the door open, finding it a slight struggle with the dozen of shopping bags. She blinked a few times before her eyes adjusted to the sunlight. She couldn't deny the truth of Sarah's statement. Every time she was around Reid their sexual chemistry was off the charts...but date? Alex laughed at the thought. "Guys like Reid don't do relationships. It's a flirtation, Sarah."
Sarah pursed her lips doubtfully but was quickly replaced by a smirk as her gaze landed on something ahead of them. Alex followed it and saw Reid Garwin himself strutting toward them, black beanie on his head and sleeves rolled up to his elbows.
"We were just talking about you." Sarah said once Reid stood in front of them. "What are you doing in town?"
The Son of Ipswich shrugged as if bored. "Ty's being a lame ass and studying, Pogue is with Kate, and Caleb…well, he's doing what he does every Saturday. I'm just waiting for Jessica to get off work."
"Jessica Starnes?" Sarah asked as she passed the blonde Son of Ipswich. Heading into a café to her left, she waved at Alex to follow her. "I didn't know you were dating her."
Reid followed the pair through the door. "Sarah, you know I don't date." He winked at her before his gaze went to Alex. Her eyebrows were raised in amusement, no sign of jealous hidden in her features as she was sure he was hoping to see. She did however give Sarah a pointed 'I told you so' look.
"So, last minute but I'm having a party tonight. Get Caleb to come," he added to Sarah as she ordered a Grande latte. "He needs to let loose a bit." He turned to Alex next, smirk intact. "I'll see you there?"
Alex thoroughly enjoyed Reid's company at the last party, courtesy of herself. Looking at him now, she was tempted to enjoy it a second time. "Yeah," she answered. "You might."
When she arrived home later that afternoon, Alex found herself in the upstairs office with the same leather bound book she read the previous time. The binding cracked familiarly as it opened to the page she had left off at. Reading about the Sons family history was strange. She read how their Ancestors settled in Ipswich in the 1600s and how they were accused of witchcraft but were never put on trial from lack of evidence.
"It's been years since I've been in here." Alex looked up to see her aunt gazing around the room, a mix of emotions on her face. Blair gave a sad smile as she moved to the bookshelf and ran a hand tenderly down a spine of a dense book. "Did your father ever tell you I was once married?"
Alex blinked in surprise. She shook her head and shut the book as Blair took a seat at the other end of the couch she occupied. "Robert and I never talked much."
Blair placed an understanding hand on Alex's leg. "This was his office." She gestured around the room with her other hand. "He was a hard worker but books were his passion." When she turned to her niece, tears filled her eyes.
"What happened to him?" Alex's voice was soft, sympathetic. In the weeks living with her aunt she found herself slowly growing fond of the woman. She kept to herself, allowing Alex to do the same. She didn't hover which was appreciated.
"Car wreck. He died instantly." Blair wiped away a stray tear. Alex watched as she pulled herself together before completely falling apart. Blair dabbed at her eyes and took a deep breath, releasing whatever grief she held onto. Her gaze went back to her niece who sat silently, unsure of what to say. "You are welcome in here any time. He would be glad his books aren't collecting dust."
With that, she stood and made her way to the door, pausing to look over her shoulder at the room once more. Alex didn't move for a moment as her gaze swept the room too, seeing it in a new light. She pictured an older man, in his forties sitting behind the desk, lost in the pages of one of the many novels decorating his office. Though she hadn't seen any pictures of her late uncle, she imagined he had kind eyes and a gentle manor.
A dull ache settled in her chest for her aunt. So many deaths surrounded her and her family, she didn't think she could handle any more loss, even if she hadn't personally known him or knew he existed until a few moments ago. She glanced down at the book in her hands and hesitated. These books belonged to him, her uncle…she realized she didn't even know his name. She knew nothing about him, but why would she have? Up until her arrival in Ipswich she hadn't know much of Blair either.
The start to the night left Alex melancholy. The discovery of her deceased uncle made memories of her mother flood her mind. As always when thinking of her, tears fell. Though brief, before throwing up walls that made her numb to the lingering pain.
Now, Alex stood in awe in front of the home of Reid Garwin. With its stone structure towering and the vines climbing the walls it resembled a castle. Music could be heard faintly from where she stood but the dozens of cars lining the street and driveway informed her half the school was inside. She stepped through the door with a determination to rid whatever sorrow still lingered. She found the kitchen with no problem; the smell of alcohol hit her as soon as she walked into the house. Her peers sent her smiles and waves but she didn't stop for conversation. The kitchen was stocked with an excessive amount of liquor and beer. Bottles and red cups lined the counters while coolers bordered the floor around the island, leaving only enough room to grab what you wanted and go. The lack of space didn't seem to matter because it appeared to be the most crowded room yet. Alex shoved her way through a group of giggling freshman girls to the counter and grabbed the first drink her hand touched. Her lips twisted in distaste at the brown liquid swishing around in the bottle. Whiskey was her least favorite but it would certainly shut down her wandering mind for the night. She twisted the cap, brought the bottle to her lips and took several gulps, wincing as the liquor slid her throat.
It took only seconds before she felt the pleasant burn in her chest her, and she moved down the hall in search of entertainment. She knew Sarah and the others were around here somewhere but didn't feel like being around Sarah's peppiness for the time being. The music vibrated her eardrums as she walked passed a speaker, the bass pulling at her hips, tempting her to dance. Her eyes closed willingly and her body swayed to the beat. When the song was over she opened her eyes and her gaze landed on Reid Garwin who stood just a few feet away, his expression playful.
"Garwin," Alex greeted, then took another long swig of whiskey. "Dance with me."
He stayed where he stood, arms crossed. A new beat blared through the speakers now; up-tempo with suggestive lyrics. "Is that an order or a request?"
"Does it matter?" Alex moved her hips, turning her back to him teasingly. Barely a half a second passed before his arms were around her waist. Her eyes closed again but this time because of how his hands moved down her hips to her thighs. Alex turned in his arms and met his hungry gaze. His eyes were glazed, pupils dilated either from alcohol or want for her, she didn't know. But with the whiskey in her system and the feeling of his hands now inching their way across her stomach, she wanted him, too. So with the half empty bottle in one hand Alex grabbed the scruff of his shirt and drew him into a kiss.
She pulled away before Reid could take control but held onto him. "Want to give me that tour now?"
Reid didn't know what it was about her but Alex seemed to have him under some kind of a spell. Just days ago she rejected him and here he was leading her up the stairs to his bedroom at her request. She drew him in with a look, a kiss and a question with much more meaning behind it than a want for a tour. He was like putty in her hands.
It was quiet upstairs, the sound of the party muffled by thick floors. Alex followed, clinging to a bottle of whiskey with one hand and the other folded in his. His room sat at the end of the hallway which seemed forever away. Not being able to contain himself any longer, he jerked her forward and shoved her against the wall. As she captured her lips the bottle fell to the floor with a thud and her arms wrapped around the base of his neck, deepening the kiss. She moaned into his mouth causing Reid to tug impatiently at her shirt, and she obliged by pulling it over her head in one swift movement. As she did, Reid pulled off his own and tossed it before lifting her. She wrapped her legs around him as he carried her the rest of the way to his room and slammed the door shut behind them. It was dark aside from the light from the bonfire outside leaking through the curtains.
The want he felt for her that built over the past few days poured out in his actions as he yanked at the button of her jeans. Her breathing was quick, eyes glossy and he could taste whiskey heavily on her tongue. It dawned on him just how intoxicated she was and he hesitated in his movements.
"Are you sure-" he started to ask but hastily broke off as Alex's lips moved down his torso making any reluctance vanish.
Tyler Simms moved across the backyard, gaze searching. He had been all around the house but there was no sign of her anywhere. It was nearing eleven o'clock so he assumed she would have made a fashionably late arrival by now. The party filtered outside where Reid had built a massive bonfire; dozens of people lingered in between, unaffected by the chill in the air from the alcohol pumping through their systems. He lifted the bottle to his mouth and took only a sip so he could stay coherent unlike so many of his classmates surrounding him.
"Hey, baby boy." The youngest Son of Ipswich turned to see his best friend moving towards him, adjusting his fingerless gloves. Tyler's heart sputtered in his chest as his gaze fell on Alex who walked beside Reid. Her eyes were red, her vision unfocused as she looked up at him and smiled.
"Ty," she greeted.
Tyler couldn't stop the shy grin crossing his face. He could feel a blush on his cheeks and was thankful for the shadow of night to hide it. "Hey, you just get here?"
Alex glanced at Reid who seemed distracted with something over Tyler's shoulder. "I've been here a little while."
Tyler's gaze flicked between his best friend and Alex, dread slowly filling his chest. He took in Reid's satisfied smirk and brash posture, how he stood close to Alex, making sure their arms touched. They hooked up, a voice in the back of his mind sang. He got the girl like always. Tyler's stomach twisted in discomfort. His gaze went to Alex who seemed uninterested in anyone's company.
No, Tyler reassured himself. Reid wouldn't have taken advantage of Alex her condition. And besides, if they had hooked up, Reid would have bragged to everyone he passed, that he got the girl. Challenge completed.
"Shit."
Reid's cursing pulled Tyler from his thoughts to see Jessica Starnes practically falling over herself to get to Reid.
"Hey!" she slurred, flipping her dark hair in attempt at flirtation. She bit her lip which most likely to be sexy but instead ended up looking silly. "Take a shot with me. You can take it off my stomach… or anywhere you want."
Alex watched as Reid was dragged away with surprising force from such a small girl. "How desperate can she get?"
Tyler shrugged, pleased to see no jealously in her features or body language, though he kept his gaze intently on her as he spoke. "Reid's the guy all the girls want."
She looked up at him, her eyes suddenly more focused than before. "Not all of them, I'm sure."
It was Tyler's turn to laugh now. "Have you ever seen him get turned down? 'Cause I sure haven't. Reid always gets what he wants." The words came out more bitter than he intended, and was unsure of where the sudden resentfulness was coming from. He shook it off, blaming it on the alcohol and realized his drink was now empty.
"What about you, Tyler?" Alex began as she leaned toward him, the motion unsteady. "Do you ever get what you want?"
She was so close he could see the freckles on her nose again. The urge to wrap his arms around her and pull her into a kiss was almost overwhelming. Do it, the little voice sang in his head for the second time that night. Don't be a puss. Before he could make a decision, Sarah came barreling towards them with arms open.
"There you are!" she giggled in glee and pulled Alex into a hug. "I've been looking for you!"
Tyler cursed under his breath, angry for hesitating. He missed another chance. Sarah went on about how much she wanted to dance and pulled Alex away, leaving Tyler alone.
The youngest Son of Ipswich shook his head as he sat in one of the many chairs sprawled around the fire pit and stared into the flames, welcoming the heat. His thought were on Alex, as they had been frequently. Something about her was so intriguing. Maybe it was the way she carried herself so differently from any other girls he knew, or that under that tough exterior, she was extremely vulnerable. He had unintentionally witnessed that himself. He wanted to get to know her, and didn't see her has a conquest like he knew Reid did. That was one of many things that the two Sons apart. Reid's version of dating was sleeping with a girl and moving on to the next one in a week or so, but somehow the girls weren't discouraged and seemed to enjoy becoming a notch on the bedpost of Reid Garwin. He loved his best friend but desperately wanted this one girl to see through his charm. He prayed Alex wouldn't be one of them.
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