Falling Behind (Falling Series) Page 10

  “Black Bridge and I don’t think they have any intentions of leaving where they are.” He shrugged, pushed off the truck and walked away.

  I knew I needed to go get her. I still had over an hour. I paced the back side of Jonathon’s truck trying to figure out what to do. Reese, she will know what to do.

  I walked through looking for her. Not seeing her near the fire, where I’d last seen her, I headed toward the field where most of the cars were parked. “Reese?” I called her name a few times, not hearing anything.

  I circled the cars calling her name. No answer. I circled back around by the railroad tracks and headed toward the peach trees still yelling her name. That’s when I heard her.

  “No. Stop it, I said”. I could feel the pain and panic in her voice. I had to stop him. How? I ran my hands through my hair and called her name again and again. Still, no one said anything. He continued as I walked closer.

  “Reese!” I waited, ready to head over there.

  “Fuck you, asshole. We’re busy.” Josh called back sounding strangely sober.

  I heard scuffling and I saw Josh walking toward me. “You wanna get out of here. Leave us alone.” It wasn’t a question.

  My fists clenched to my side as I looked him square in the eye. I stepped up to him. “Not without her.” His pupils were huge; even in the dark I could see the difference in his eyes. This guy was on something more than beer. “Reese?”

  “I said to leave us alone.” He pushed me.

  My fist collided with his jaw and he stumbled backwards. I followed him ready to deliver another punch. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Reese lying on the ground, and it looked like her shoulders were shaking with sobs.

  I reached out and picked him up before delivering another blow to his nose. Blood poured down his face as he slid back to the ground. I ran to Reese, knowing we needed to get out of there before any of his buddies showed up.

  “Reese, are you okay enough to walk?”

  She lifted her tear and dirt streaked face, nodding her head. I offered her my hand and she stood, straightening her dress. I closed my eyes as she reached down to pull up her underwear. The bastard, he deserved way more than a broken nose.

  “Come on, we have to get out of here. I broke his nose and his friends might not like that. Where’s your stuff?” I looked at her waiting for her to meet my gaze.

  Her eyes stayed glued to the floor. “His truck, it’s on the way to the road by the third pole.”

  I shifted my eyes to our surroundings. We were still in the trees, but way past the fire. If we kept walking straight we could make it to the truck without running into anyone. Reese shivered under my arm and I pulled her tighter to me. I stopped to take my coat off and drape it over her shoulders.

  I left her a few rows back in the orchard and ran to his truck, grabbing her stuff and making sure to get everything. She certainly didn’t need to be having to have to ask for any of her things back. I rushed back and practically carried her the rest of the way back to my Camry. Our breath came out as little puffs in the winter air, and she was shivering. I couldn’t tell if it was shock or if she was freezing. My own blood was running hot.

  “I’m going to take you home. Then I need to go find Candice and make sure she gets home.”

  I felt her nod. We reached my truck after what seemed like an hour. I checked the time, still forty-five minutes to get Candice home. I opened the passenger door and helped her get in, kissing the top of her head before she leaned her head back, closing her eyes.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Reese

  The Orchard party was huge. I was pretty sure everyone from the formal was there. The cops were bound to get called.

  Handing me a beer, Josh said, “Loosen up.”

  I didn’t drink. I had, that one time, but never again. “I’ll be your sober driver. Go ahead. Drink up.” I didn’t keep the sarcasm from my voice.

  Searching The Orchard, I couldn’t find Titus or Candice. I knew Titus was here. Smiling and causing my heartbeat to skip, he caught my eye once or twice. That couldn’t be healthy. The boy’s smile always messed with my heart. Titus knew me enough to know that I was irritated with Josh’s drinking and Candice’s absence.

  Stomaching rolling and twisting, I knew Josh was standing right behind me. The smell of sour wheat and cigarettes turned my stomach. I’d watched him shotgun five or six beers and now I could smell it on him. Oh, goodness, I was going to be sick. Taking a step back to gather a lung full of fresh air, I turned and forced a smile.

  I stepped into his arms and buried my head under his chin, far away from his breath. I didn’t want to start a fight over him drinking. If I just played along for a few more minutes, I could suggest we go home.

  “Rees-s-s-se, come wit-t-th me.” Josh cupped my elbow, leading me toward the trees.

  A few more minutes, I only had to play along for a few more minutes.

  I followed because I didn’t want to fight. I was sure that if I cooperated for just a little bit, he’d back off and leave me alone. Or so I’d thought. I was wrong.

  He crushed his mouth on mine; letting his hands go all over my body. When they dipped down to lift my dress, I pushed them back down. “No, Josh. Stop. Not here.”

  “It’s fine, Baby. No one can see us. I’ve already popped your cherry, no reason to say no, now. All you have to do is bend over a little,” he said, pushing my head down and yanking up my dress.

  “Josh, please; let’s go back to your truck.”

  “No way, Babe, I’m ready for you, now.”

  Tears filled my eyes and I tried to breathe, think about anything else. I felt the pain and then everything went numb. I don’t know how long it had been, but I heard someone calling my name. Josh must have finally heard it, too; he pulled out, yelling, “Fucking asshole, we’re busy.”

  I knew it was Titus and silently thanked him before falling to the ground crying. I had told Josh I wasn’t ready. I told him at his house the first time he talked me into doing it. I’m still not ready and he didn’t seem to care.

  The next thing I knew, Titus was leading me toward his Mom’s Camry After he stopped and grabbed my belongings from Josh’s truck, he tucked me into his car with his suit jacket to keep me from shivering. It wasn’t working. I could barely breathe and things kept going in and out of focus. I just wanted to go home. My eyes were heavy. I closed them and waited for Titus to wake me up.

  Titus shook my shoulder. “Reese, you’re home.”

  I opened my eyes and Titus’ were full of concern. If I wasn’t mistaken, his were glistening with tears. “I’m awake.” I whispered. “Thank you, Ty, for being there.”

  “We gotta get you inside. I still have to go find Candice. I can try and come back if you want me to.” He slid out of his seat. Coming around the car, he opened my door and helped me out.

  “Text me when you find her. I’m going to shower and get into bed.”

  “Reese, what he did wasn’t okay.” He held my hand, walking me to the front door.

  “Tomorrow, please?” I looked up at him with tears streaming down my face.

  “Tomorrow.” Titus pulled me into a hug, placing a gentle kiss on my forehead.

  Titus

  I wanted to turn around and go find that douchebag. I was nowhere near done giving him a beating for what he’s done to Reese. All of my suspicions were now confirmed. He may not be raping her, as in tying her up and forcing himself on her, but what he was doing was still considered rape. I pounded my steering wheel as I headed out to Black Bridge to pick up Candice. Hopefully I wouldn’t have to deliver another broken nose, tonight.

  Just as I pulled into the dirt road leading to the south side of the bridge my phone beeped. I hoped it was Candice.

  Mom: Candice is here. Get here as fast as you can.

  If Candice was at my house, this could not be good. I didn’t even bother texting Mom back. I could be there in less than a minute. I tapped out a quick text to Reese before I hit th
e road to tell her that Candice was at my house. I didn’t want her to wait up too long.

  Candice was sitting on the couch, her face covered in blood and bruises already forming. Everywhere. She was going to be almost completely purple by morning. I walked toward her and sank to my knees. The tears for Reese were now flowing and mixing with those for Candice. How the hell did they both end up with complete assholes?

  “C, what the hell happened?”

  “She won’t talk, Son. I already called her parents, they’re on their way.”

  I dropped my head into my hands, pulling on my hair. This was a nightmare. I shook my head, taking several deep breaths and pulling myself up as I did. I walked out the front door and punched the garage door. I hated them both. I was probably going to end up in a heap of trouble in the coming days. If I saw either asshole, they were getting this fist. I punched the door between words, In. Their. Face. And then I punched the garage three more times for good measure, before I sank to the ground.

  Candice’s parents showed up shortly after I had my meltdown and took Candice to the hospital. I apologized, profusely. Mr. Warner insisted it wasn’t my fault and told me he would keep me updated on her condition.

  Reese

  Waking up the next morning I felt stiff and uncomfortable. Before I could start to process last night, I stretched and looked around for my phone. I needed to know if Titus found Candice. Sitting on the bedside table, it was lit up with messages.

  Titus: C’s at my house. Headed there now. I’ll talk to you in the morning.

  At least he found her. Why would she go to his house? I didn’t have to wait long as just then, my mom knocked on my door.

  “Reese, get dressed. Candice and her parents are here to see you.” Mom’s eyes were watery with tears. This would not be good.

  I threw on some yoga pants and a hoody. Rushing into the living room, I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw Candice sandwiched between her parents. I couldn’t move. I thought that my knees were going to buckle and I would fall right in my tracks.

  Her face, her whole, entire face was swollen with new bruises framing her eyes. Our eyes locked and I swear I could barely see her pupils; although the tears that rolled out of the corners were obvious.

  My goodness, how did she let this happen? I timidly walked to her and Mr. Warner stopped me.

  “Reese, she is very sore; please, just sit.” He pointed to the only chair in our living room, a few feet away from Candice, as if I did this to her.

  “Alex?” I questioned her. The shake she responded with was barely noticed. She was going to lie to me as well. I knew Alex did this to her, but she was going to deny it.

  “Reese, Honey, George and Cecilia are trying to press charges, but Candice won’t tell them anything. Is there anything from last night that you can help them with?”

  I shook my head, “We haven’t talked since the night we took you to Alex’s house.” I looked at Mr. Warner. “You all know that. I didn’t see her last night, except the few minutes at the dance.”

  He sat, at the end of the couch. “I understand that; did you see her at an after party, maybe? Did you see her with Alex at all?”

  Reese glared at Candice. “When I told my mom and your dad about Alex, I tried to stop this from happening.” I gestured to her face and body.

  I turned to her dad. “I haven’t seen much of her or talked to either her or Titus, much. I only had my suspicions when she wasn’t at the after party with Titus.”

  I was scared for Candice. So scared that my best friend could have died and I wasn’t able to stop it. Candice sat there tight-lipped, crying.

  I could see through the swollen mask to Candice’s eyes. She was begging me to leave it alone. But I couldn’t. Not this time. “She was there with Ty, at the dance. I was helping him look for her at the end of the dance before my boyfriend decided it was time to go. Ty told me he’d find her, not to worry. I got a message this morning from Titus that said she was at his house. I was literally just wondering why she was there when Mom knocked on my door, telling me you were here. I didn’t know. I don’t know what happen after I left Ty.”

  Candice being beat-up by her boyfriend took every memory from the night before and smashed it. I was relieved that the focus wasn’t on me and my night. I hoped it never came up in the future.

  “Thank you, Reese. Our problem is Candice is swearing that it was not Alex and that she didn’t see her attacker. She is saying that it happened outside of the gym, while the dance was going on. The doctors collected evidence, hopefully it is enough. I’m sorry for bothering you all. Diane, thank you, again, for letting us in your home.” George and Cecilia helped Candice up and ushered her out the door.

  Candice never looked back, walked right out without a word. She was in serious trouble. Titus was right. My mind whirled. I wanted to talk to Candice, without our parents hovering. But that would never happen. She won’t even talk to me. I wanted to talk to Titus, too, but didn’t know what to say.

  My phone beeped and lit up my dark room.

  Ty: I hear u saw Candice.

  Me: Ya. She looks horrible. Why is she denying it was Alex?

  Ty: Same reason you’ve stayed with Josh, I suppose

  I didn’t respond, I didn’t know how to; he was right.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Titus

  Rumors flew through the halls on Monday morning. I prayed Reese hadn’t heard what was being said. I walked up to my locker and two sophomores leaning against their lockers a few down from mine were staring at me and whispering—whispering loud enough for me to hear them.

  “Can you believe what a slut Reese is?” The short blonde asked, loudly.

  “Right? Who has sex in the orchard when there’s a party going on?”

  I clenched my fists, ready to slam them into their faces. I spun toward them, slamming my locker shut. “Listen here” I looked out at the crowd of students scattered throughout the hall. “It’s none of your damn business what happened with Reese after the Formal. Or Candice either, for that matter. The next person I hear talk shit about either of my friends, I will personally kick”—

  “Titus, that’s enough.” Mr. Gustin came over and stood next to me. He turned to the rest of the students. “All rumors will stop. Immediately. The events that happened over the weekend are no one’s business. The next student I hear talking about it, will be suspended.” He looked around to everyone. “Any questions?”

  Most everyone mumbled no or shook their heads, Josh was the exception. “Since I was involved, that means I can talk about it all I want.” He laughed. The ass laughed. I lunged forward, ready to punch his damn face again, when Mr. Gustin clasped my shoulder and steered me toward his office. Mr. Gustin opened his door and motioned for me to go in.

  “Sorry, Mr. Gustin, I can’t stand the guy. He’s talking about my best friend ya know?” I was rambling. I guess I picked up Reese’s nervous chatter habit.

  “Titus, I understand. Truly, I do. I wish I could allow you to pummel the guy; but that’s against everything I stand for.” He sat in his chair and pointed to the chair across from him. I slid in, chewing on my thumb. I knew I wasn’t in trouble by his casual, relaxed manner. But, I still didn’t want to have the conversation that I was sure we’re about to have. Mr. Gustin smiled at me. “From what I’ve heard, you knocked him around pretty good on Saturday night. Well, I shouldn’t say you, personally. That isn’t what I heard. I heard he got hit a couple times and got knocked out. I assumed it was you’re doing. Am I wrong?”

  I shook my head. “You’re right.”

  “Now then, I have to ask you to keep your distance. Try shutting off your ears, don’t listen to the rumors. You, Reese and Candice know what happened this weekend. Unfortunately, so does Josh and Alex─ although Alex isn’t as forthcoming with his involvement. If you feel the need to go after Josh, come in here, talk to me and we’ll see what can be done. It’s going to be a rough few days, but the rumors will stop. People wil
l get tired of talking about it and move on to another person or wild event. Trust me.”

  “All right, Mr. Gustin, I’ll do my best.” I stood up, ready to walk out, ready to go find Josh and finish what he started.

  “Titus, no going to find Josh, I will have to suspend you.” I spun toward him. How the hell did he just read my mind?

  Mr. Gustin smiled before standing himself. “I saw the look in your eyes, kid. I know that look all too well. You want to protect what’s yours.”

  I nodded my head before grabbing the door handle. “I do, but I won’t. Here.”

  “Thank you.”

  By third period, I was glad I had PE and an opportunity to get rid of some extreme aggression. Plus, I wasn’t ready to see Reese, just yet. She hadn’t texted back after I called her out for staying with Josh this long. I knew she thought I wouldn’t understand, but I would. I do. I know more than she thinks.

  I got changed into my gym clothes and headed for the speed bag. Imagining Josh’s face hanging perfectly in front of me, I pummeled the bag, repeatedly. Faster. Harder. Each punch breaking a bone in his face. If only it was him.

  Basketball had started so I used my gym time to build my upper strength. After the speed bag, I started on push-ups and pull-ups. Feeling the stress release from my body I started to relax and felt ready to see Reese during fourth period.

  Reese

  Monday, after school, we had the first practice of the basketball season. Our coach asked us all to sit in cheer circle. Cheer circle was just that; the squad sat in a circle and discussed problems within the squad, boys, grades and parents. It was required to stay within the circle, no matter what was said and everyone knew they could share anything and it would be safe. Candice was missing in the circle and I immediately knew why this circle was called at the beginning of practice.

  I watched Coach Colleen look at each girl, with tears in her eyes. “I have bad news. Candice will not be returning to cheer with us for the rest of the year.” The group all had the same reaction as I did. The wind gushed out of all us as if someone punched each of us in the gut.