I was a nervous wreck. I hoped that Sèbastien would forget about the infamous offer he made the other day, but to my unfortunate luck, he didn't. The text I received this morning before I walked into class confirmed it. Sèbastien seemed like a great guy but I wasn't interested because the truth of the matter was that no matter how much Connery hated me right now I still hoped that he would forgive me. After all of the humiliation, I hoped that he would forgive me so we could pick up right from where we left off.
Peyton would disagree with me there, she's not his biggest fan right now. She says that there are limits and letting his mom humiliate me was the final straw because if the roles were reversed I would've never treated him that way. But the thing is that you can't live life expecting people to act the same way you do, because if you, you'll only end up disappointed. Not everyone has the same heart as you. That's why I never hold people to that standard.
"Peyton, maybe you can show up to his house and tell him I got bit by a spider, or better yet, you can tell him I had an emergency and I couldn't make it," I tell my best friend as she helps me with my make up.
"First, I'm not lying for you Ev," Peyton says giving me a disapproving look. "Second, are those the best excuses you could come up with?"
"What are you trying to say by that?" I glare. "I could text him and tell him that I'm not feeling well, that sounds like a much better idea."
"Don't be that girl, the poor guy is cooking for you. I would give anything to hear Dant say that, but he can't even fry an egg properly let alone cook me dinner." Peyton rants. "Besides, if you didn't want to go, why did you suggest it in the first place?"
"Well, it's Dant we're talking about here. Your standards shouldn't be that high." I joke (not really). "And to answer your question, I don't know. I was just trying to make conversation and I blurted it out."
"You have a point there," Peyton laughs. "Anyways, back to the problem at hand. You can't bail on him now, he probably has the dinner table set up. Besides, there's nothing wrong with going to dinner with a friend."
"I'm not sure he sees it like that," I tell Peyton.
"You don't know that, you can't assume he wants to be more than friends, you're not inside his head." True. "You set the limits Ev, you put the cards on the table and he either takes it or leaves it. Sèbastien seems like a great guy, he'll understand, you didn't promise him a relationship when you agreed to the dinner date."
"You can be so wise sometimes," I tease.
"Sometimes?" Peyton gives me a look. "And if I were Sèbastien I would rather have you as a friend, for now, you're hung up on asshole Connery so he doesn't stand a chance."
"Peyton," I warn.
"What? It's true. His actions were justified at first. But he needs to be a big boy and grow up. He's acting like an immature five-year-old. You uncovered the truth about his family and exposed it, big deal." Peyton argues.
"He feels betrayed, I betrayed his trust by not coming to him first."
"It would've made little difference, the truth was coming out whether you told him or not. He was still going to choose his family over you. There's no excuse for letting his mom disrespect you like that and don't get me started on that little snake Inez." No lie there. "Anyways, I'm counting on Sèbastien to play his cards right."
"Stop trying to play cupid," I roll my eyes. "Cupid needs a vacation, he's done enough."
"Cupid would beg to differ."
As for my outfit, I tried to look as unattractive as possible (baggy clothes were my go-to) but Peyton would tie me up and change my clothes herself before she let me walk out of the apartment looking like that. So (against my own will) I picked out a white halter crop top with a pair of black flare jeans. My finishing touch was Peyton's black Doc Martin's and a black beret but that was just for the Instagram pic.
"After dinner, you can come to the frat party with Sèbastien, we're having a little ping pong tournament," Peyton suggests but I shake my head. "Don't shake your head at me Everest Green, it will be fun."
"I'm not welcomed there and I know where you're going with is, so I have more motive to decline your offer," I tell her. "Besides, Sèbastien doesn't like the party scene."
"C'mon, please! I would love to see Connery's face when he sees you walk in with Sèbastien." Peyton whines. "And there is a first time for everything."
"The answer is still no, I don't want any part in your schemes." I smile, with one last look in the mirror I was ready to go. "I better go before I'm late, I'll see you after. If you're going to stay with Dant, please let me know. I don't want to stay up all night waiting for you."
"Fine," Peyton rolls her eyes. "He's taking Connery to the airport at midnight so I'll be here around that time, he's dropping me off."
The airport? Oh yeah, I forgot that the qualifiers were this weekend. I felt a little selfish because I wasn't going to be able to be a part of that saddened me. Connery and I had discussed (before everything blew up) me going with him to the qualifiers. But even though I wasn't going to be a part of that chapter of his life or any other for that matter I was still rooting for him. I would always be rooting for him despite where we stood.
"Okay," I reply. "Have fun."
"You too."
The drive to Sèbastien's apartment wasn't that long, his apartment was about fifteen minutes from mine. Once I went up the elevator and I stood in front of his door, I stared at it for a good ten minutes. My nerves were getting the best of me and all I could think of was walking away from the same way I got here. But once the time on my phone hit 8:15 I knocked on the door.
Sèbastien opened the door with the biggest grin plastered across his face. "Hey,"
"Hi," I reply. "I'm sorry I'm late, I lost track of time."
"It's okay, you don't have to apologize." Sèbastien smiles. "You arrived just in time, come in."
I walked in and oh my god! It smelled amazing in here. Sèbastien's place was modern yet simple at the same time. My eyes landed on the dinner table and it was nothing over the top (I loved it). There were no candles, just a bouquet of white tulips in a vase in the middle of the light wooden table. For a boy, he knew how to set up the table pretty nicely.
"It smells amazing in here, I hope it tastes as good as it smells." I tease. Sèbastien chuckled as he closes the door behind him.
"I promise you, it won't disappoint. When I told my mom I was cooking dinner for a special girl she sent me one of my great-grandmother's recipes." Special girl? "She called me on FaceTime to make sure I was doing every step correctly."
"So you cheated?" I tease again.
"I wouldn't necessarily call it that," Sèbastien replies. "She just supervised, I did all the cooking."
"You still had a little bit of help."
"You never lose an argument do you?" Sèbastien asks making me laugh.
"Nope," I reply. "That's why law was an obvious and smart career move."
"I'll make sure to contact you if I ever get myself into any trouble then."
"I would love to be your attorney Kiermaier, I will say in advance that just because I know you you won't get a discount on my services."
"It's okay, I'm sure they're worth every penny." Sèbastien winks. "You can take a seat while I serve us dinner."
I did as Sèbastien told me and I sat at the dinner table while he served dinner. It only took him a few minutes before the food was served and on the table. I was ready to devour the Instagram-worthy plate in front of me but like the lady I am, I waited for Sèbastien to sit down as well.
"You do like wine right?" Sèbastien asks and I nod.
"How could you not like wine?" I ask. "I can take a glass of Chardonnay any day over the overrated cheap taste of beer."
"You have immaculate taste Everest," I smile. "My mom sends me a few bottles of my favorite wine every other month, so I'm sure you're going to love this one."
"I see what you're doing here Sèbastien," I say and he looks at me confused. "You're giving me the full French experience, I love it."
Sèbastien chuckles. "Guilty, since for obvious reasons I can't fly you out to Paris on a luxurious jet, I thought that it only be fair to bring Paris to you. Have you ever been to Paris?"
I shake my head. "I've never been, but it's definitely on my list."
"It's beautiful over there, the pictures don't do it any justice, believe me." Sèbastien expresses. I'm positive they don't. "I might just have to take you then, I'm an excellent tour guide. Of course, I will be charging a small commission for my exclusive services."
I laugh. "I think it's fair, the handsome tour guide is definitely a plus, so I don't mind paying a small commission for having him around the entire day. And his services are exclusive, I have no objection."
Sèbastien chuckles. "It's settled then."
"It indeed is," I reply. "So, what is this delicious plate that I have in front of me?"
"It's a very popular plate in France, the Boeuf Bourguignon," Sèbastien replies. "Go ahead, try it."
"I thought you would never say that," I say and Sèbastien laughs. I took a bite of the Boeuf Bourguignon and oh my God (I thought that I was in heaven). I let out a small but loud moan and I almost choked when I realized that what I thought I was doing in my mind came out of my mouth.
"I'm so sorry, for some reason I keep finding ways to keep embarrassing myself in front of you." I shake my head in embarrassment. "This tastes heavenly by the way."
"Don't apologize, I don't mind." Sèbastien smiles. "If I get to see that cute face you make every time you embarrass yourself by all means please do."
"I'm not going to embarrass myself just for your guilty pleasure my friend." Sèbastien laughs.
"It was worth a shot," Sèbastien grins. "I've been meaning to ask you, but I didn't want to at first because it probably isn't none of my business."
"I have a feeling about where you're going with this, so you can freely ask," I tell him. I had a feeling that it had something to do with the article.
It didn't bother me, because even though I'm tired of the situation, I have barely talked about it with anyone. Every single person on this campus has judged me and painted me for something that I'm not. So in a way, I was happy that at least someone had the decency to ask first instead of jumping to conclusions and forming their own opinions about the situation.
"Are you okay?" That question caught me off guard. "I bet it isn't easy to deal with all of the backlash and people's opinions about the case. It probably caught you off guard, but ever since I saw your car the other night, the question lingered in my mind. I have a feeling that nobody has ever stopped to ask how you feel since this all began."
I sat there in silence for about a minute before answering his question. I've had all of these feelings bottled up inside and even though I wasn't going to let it all out, I felt comfortable talking about my feelings with Sèbastien. Even though we've just met, I could see that he was coming from a place that genuinely cared.
After many more conversations and a lot of eating (Sèbastien even made me dessert Mousse au Chocolat to be exact), we got to know each other much better. And even though it got a little sad when I talked about how I was feeling, he made all of those feelings disappear by making me laugh with many of his particular stories.
I have to admit, I know Peyton is very persuasive (mostly manipulative) but I didn't think she would get Sèbastien to go to the party or any party for that matter. I couldn't help but wonder what did she have on him that made him so eager to come.
I on the other hand was very hesitant about it. Ever since the article I've steered clear of the party scene more than ever, being the most hated girl on campus doesn't exactly make you invite friendly. Sèbastien insisted that we go because one of the many convincing reasons that he had were that I couldn't let other people dictate what I do. If I wanted to go to a party, I should. So here we were, standing in front of the Alpha Phi Sigma house.
"Are you planning on going in?" Sèbastien asks. "We've made it this far, but if you don't feel comfortable, we can always go back to my place."
I looked at Sèbastien and then I looked back at the crowded frat house in front of us. "I think I can survive just one night, I can't keep hiding. I won't do it anymore."
Sèbastien smiles. I walked up the small steps of the frat house and Sèbastien was walking close behind me. There weren't many people on the porch but once I took I peek inside I started to get anxious. Sèbastien probably noticed because he instantly grabbed my hand. Once we were inside, everyone noticed when we walked in. And everything was fine until my eyes landed on Connery, our eyes met for a brief second but I turned my gaze to where Peyton was as soon as she called my name.
"Hey, guys!" Peyton grinned. "I'm so happy that you guys could finally make it, we were just about to start playing."
Peyton led us into the living room, Stensby was talking with Dant. He smiled once he saw me and Sèbastien walk in behind Peyton. Stensby was in need of a beer pong partner so of course, Sèbastien volunteered. I stood in the corner while I watched them play.
"Everest," Stensby grinned.
"Are you going to send me to look for Fireball bottles again Stensby Miller?" I ask. "I'm not going to re-traumatize myself just because you want to drink Fireball shots."
"Please Ev, at least this time you know the way," Stensby argues. "You're just standing there, it's not like you're doing anything."
I roll my eyes. "You owe me, Stensby, you can make your payment preferably with either a bottle of Chardonnay or one of my new favorites, Sèbastien's Boeuf Bourguignon."
Stensby agrees. I walked out of the living room and I made myself through the crowded front entrance. Thankfully, Connery wasn't there when I passed by the spot where he was standing before. I quickly walked up the flights of stairs and I located Stensby's room. How could I not? I've been here more times than I can actually count.
I didn't want to risk running into Connery so I tried to get the Fireball bottles as quick as I could. Though, I have to say that I wasn't quick enough. I froze when I heard Connery's voice. "You shouldn't be here."
After all this time, that's all he had to say? I stood up from the floor with the two bottles of Fireball and I faced him. "I know, I'm not welcomed here, but as far as I'm concerned unless you have a court order I have the freedom to be wherever the hell I want. So if you'll excuse me, I have somewhere to be."
I walked past him but he stopped me dead in my tracks. "You know, out of all of the things I could've imagined, I didn't take you for an easy one Ev. I had to work for it, but I guess Sèbastien just got lucky."
Ouch. I knew he was just trying to hurt me the way I hurt him but it just wasn't fair. "That's low even for you, besides your one to talk."
Connery chuckles. "I don't know why me fucking around with Inez surprises you Everest, because when you met me that was all I did."
"You have a stick so far up your ass Matthew Connery," I say looking down.
"Excuse me?" Connery questions.
"You heard me right but just in case you didn't I said that you have a stick so far up your ass, how come I didn't see it before?" I pause. "You think you had it rough don't you? I can't blame you though, you're the most self-centered person I've ever met, how could you notice?"
"How could I notice what Everest?"
"That you're not the only fucking one that is going through it, Connery. I am in part to blame but you never asked. You never gave me the chance to explain. Why do you think I didn't tell you? I was struggling to find a way to do it. Why? Because how was I supposed to tell the guy I was beginning to fall for that once again his family was going to fall apart? I didn't know how to tell you because I know how much Conrad means to you and I didn't want you to hurt the same way you did when you left your dad behind." At this point, my eyes were welling up. I didn't want to cry, but I had to get all of it out.
The tears began to fall down my cheeks and I had no control over them. "I've had to deal with the whispers, the dirty looks, and opinions from everyone who doesn't know the fuck about they're talking about. Whether you want to believe it or not, Tommy sent out his little friends to scare me. They fucked up my car and the best one yet I had someone put a gun against my head threatening to kill me while he ran his disgusting hands all over my body."
"Don't fucking look down Matthew Connery, I'm not done," I say raising my voice. "I receive death threats almost every day, I can't sleep because of the nightmares I have about that night, I can't even walk around campus without thinking that there is someone out there watching me. I have a target on my back every minute of every single day. You think you've had it rough? Well, get in fucking line because you're not the only one."
Connery looks down and barely whispers. "I didn't know."
"You didn't know? You didn't even bother to ask."
I walked out of Stensby's room and I rushed downstairs. Once I reached the second flight of stairs there was a lot of commotion in the front entrance. Two police officers were standing there and one of them was putting handcuffs on Tommy Scott.
"Tommy Scott you are under arrest for the rape of Macy Kingsley and Emily Cohen. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you." The officer said citing the Miranda Rights to Tommy.
A/N
Hi guys! I hope you're doing well and that you had an amazing week ⨠I'm so happy to share with you guys chapter 28, I apologize for updating at this time at night. I don't like giving excuses but the truth is that my day was full of classes and meetings, I didn't really had the chance to upload. Also, I felt like something was missing so I decided to take some time to re write a little bit of the end of this chapter.
And I can't let you guys just yet without giving you a massive thank you, we've reached 2k ð thank you for all of your support and love towards this book, like I always say, there's not enough words to express how thankful for each and everyone of you. I hope you stick around to finish this ride, we've still got a long way to go!
ps. I will leave you down below a little post, I have way too much fun with these so I will begin to share a few every now and then :)