Page 38 of Bane's Beginning
I couldn’t help the laugh that fell out of my mouth. The twins were two German models who were in town for a fashion show in L.A. They didn’t speak a lick of English, but we quickly learned that partying was a universal skill, and so were hangovers.
Chase groaned. “Please don’t remind me.”
“What twins?” Marcus asked with a look of confusion across his face.
“Don’t worry, you were broken up,” Bridgette said. I wasn’t sure if she was actually making conversation or if she was playing some sort of game, but almost everything with her was the latter.
Thankfully, Serena interjected and changed the conversation by asking us how we all met. I gave them a shortened version about how Bridgette and I met while studying abroad and then how she introduced me to the boys.
“So you two are just cool now?” An unsure Anna asked from beside me and Maverick. I looked over at Bridgette and smiled. “Yeah, we’re cool.”
“We’re fucking back bitches!” Bridgette shouted out and people all around looked over at us. She shrugged and went back to her food.
I heard a sarcastic laugh come from Marcus followed by a mumble I couldn’t make out.
Serena proceeded to grill my friends with questions about California. I didn’t miss how her questions seemed to skip over Marcus, and I was thankful.
“I bet you’re going to miss Thea next semester,” Serena said, and I felt Bridgette tense. Fuck, I hadn’t had the chance to talk to her to let her know my plans. The club still thought I was staying and now so did my friends.
“You’re still staying here?” Bridgette asked as pain sparked through her eyes. I nervously shifted in Maverick’s lap, and his arms tightened around my waist as if to show a sign of comfort.
“Bridgette,” I started before I was interrupted by a seething Marcus.
“Of course she is,” he huffed. “What does she need us for anymore?”
“Don’t,” I warned.
“Don’t worry,” he said. “I won’t make a big deal about you replacing us. Matter of fact, I think it’s time I leave this shit alone.”
“Okay,” I said as I stood my ground, getting closer to him. “So leave.”
“I’m not just talking about leaving.”
He stood, crossing his arms over his chest. His words rang in my ears and I tried to not let the anger rise in me. I knew his words were carrying a deeper meaning, but this weekend was emotionally draining me and I didn’t feel like dealing with it anymore or playing Marcus’ games.
“Bro,” Chase said, also standing up. “Please don’t start this shit.”
“I’m not starting anything,” he said as his voice got louder. “I’m finishing it. I don’t want to be a part of this anymore. Especially now.”
“No one asked you to be a part of anything, Marcus,” I said, now seething in anger.
He let out an exaggerated laugh, flinging his head up. “Right. How will you get your fakes now?”
Marcus was studying IT and was an incredible hacker, which meant that not only could he alter CCTV when we were traveling, but he also had contacts for authentic fake IDs, which helped Bridgette and I move under the radar just in case we were being watched.
“This isn’t right,” Bridgette said as tears welled in her eyes and her blown curls shook back and forth. “This is all my fault.”
“We aren’t doing this here,” Chase said as he grabbed Marcus’ arm pulling him towards the door that led into the kitchen.
“No, fuck that!” He swung his arm out of his hold and walked back over to me. “You’re really going to let me leave?”
Our eyes met in a silent stance.
“Fucking bitch,” he said. “You deserve what’s coming to you.”
Once again, before I could respond, a fist flew across my vision and landed on Marcus’ face. I was pushed out of the way as an angry Maverick began pounding his face, repeatedly. The sound of his fist hitting his flesh was ringing around the trees as the crowd around us got quiet.
Dav and Chase tried desperately to pull them apart, and I stood there in shock as I watched blood pool from Marcus’ face. Finally, they were able to get them apart. I saw the look of evil on Maverick’s eyes, and it burned into my brain, reminding me of the similar look of someone else’s.
