Share
Chapter 69
Related chapters
168 Hours in Hell Chapter 70
Violet can turn into so many terrible things for creative kids. Vile was common for bullies. Lettie by my well-meaning mother, although she dropped that by the time I turned twelve. When I met Willow, I was sick of people asking what I’d rather go by, so I ranted to her about ending all nicknames. Outlawing them.But, damn it, I’ve got to admit that I like the sound of it coming out of his mouth.I shift, rotating in his direction. I let my head rest against his shoulder and make myself a promise.Tomorrow, we will go back to hating each other. Tomorrow, all the bad things can sweep back into my brain. Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow.Right now, I close my eyes and enjoy the slow strokes of his finger on my clit and the way his cheek feels against the top of my head. And the sounds of the movie and the people around us. I should be wary, or afraid, or just altogether unwilling to orgasm in front of people.But when it sneaks up on me, I turn my face into Greyson’s neck and bite. Hard.Hi
168 Hours in Hell Chapter 71
She knows how much this could mean. I don’t have any hope of them taking me back—I mean, not like I am. But maybe there’s a chance. Or… an opportunity to work with her in another manner. Or something.“Good morning, Violet!” Mia’s warm voice comes through my phone. “I tried your old number, but it seemed you changed it. I apologize that I had to go through your mother. How are you doing?”I had to change my number after the crash. I kept getting weird texts and calls from random numbers, making it impossible to block them all. Not to mention I lost my phone in the accident—it was smashed beyond repair. The phone company was able to transfer some of my old pictures and contacts, but I lost at least a week of data. So changing my number a week or so after that didn’t seem like that big of a deal. In the grand scheme of things.“I’m good, thank you. How are you?” I always feel formal around her, even when she told me last year to call her Mia instead of Ms. Germain—what I’d called her fo
168 Hours in Hell Chapter 72
GREYSONI have the briefest warning of my father’s arrival. My phone chirps with a social media alert that I set up forever ago, which pings when his location changes. Well, when his secretary checks him into specific cities.It’s how I used to keep tabs on him without reaching out. When I was alone in a big, empty house with nothing to do, I could check and see where he was. Nebraska, California, Edinburgh, Dubai. The man traveled overseas a lot—especially for someone who is supposed to be a New York senator.I’d like to think that it’s his fault I turned out the way I did. Because I was rotting off boredom as a teenager, I sought out my own thrills. I found parties, and if there weren’t any? I created them.He always gave me access to a credit card that he paid monthly without blinking, as long as I didn’t surpass the high limit, and I knew the combination to the safe where he kept an array of valuables: cash and firearm included.Anyway, it pings that his private jet just landed in
168 Hours in Hell Chapter 73
VIOLETThe gym on campus is in the basement of one of the residence halls. After signing in, I go quietly down the stairs and into the dark room. There’s a wall of mirrors, exercise machines, and weights.It’s as familiar as it is foreign.I bypass the weights and go to the elliptical. In theory, this should be easier on my leg. Less impact. I say a quick thank you to my body that nine times out of ten, I land jumps on my right leg. It was always stronger, holding me upright through all the grueling exercises and rehearsals.Dancing again still seems like a dream. I consider that as I climb onto the machine and turn it on. I program my height and weight, then set it to a weight-loss program. It climbs in resistance quickly. Within five minutes, I’m drenched in sweat.I tear off my sweatshirt and drape it across the machine beside me. My t-shirt sticks to my skin and my lungs sear with how little exertion I’ve put them through in so long. I’m ready to quit immediately, but I don’t. I k
168 Hours in Hell Chapter 74
Once I’m inside, I lose it. A lump forms in my throat, and my eyes flood with tears. An ugly sob tears out, breaking the silence.I press the back of my hand to my mouth to try and stem the flow of sound, but it’s useless. My leg is on fire, pain lancing up from my shin through to my hip. I massage my thigh hopelessly and make my way to my room.Willow’s door is shut, and the light is off.It’s late—I made up an excuse about studying at the library and not waiting up, so she should be sleeping. I can lie and tell myself I don’t know what I’m doing, or why. But I’m worried that she’s going to try and talk me out of getting back into dancing shape.I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror. My hair is an absolute mess. My clothes, too. And Greyson has my student ID. I curse, then light up and pat down his pockets. Sure enough, my ID is safely tucked away in the left one.I peel off his jacket and set it on the back of my desk chair. My phone is still on my charger on my nightstand, beca
168 Hours in Hell Chapter 75
GREYSONI step into my hockey coach’s office with Knox at my back. Coach Roake has a newspaper folded on the edge of his desk. My face is creased on the page, my eyes dark on the thin paper. Coach is reclined with his arms folded behind his head. His face is perfectly stoic.“Sit,” he orders.Knox, as captain, took it upon himself to come with me. But he must see something in our coach’s face that I miss because he hesitates at the door.I take the chair and twist around, my eyebrow lifting at Knox. I jerk my chin, and he steps back, shutting the door on the way out. When I face forward again, Coach hasn’t moved.“I spoke to your old coach,” he says.My chest tightens, but I try not to let my expression change. So far, we’ve gotten along. I’m not one to ruffle feathers if the person is useful to me. I keep things smooth with my father, with the school administration, with the man sitting in front of me… they can all do something for me.They’re all relevant to my success.But now, I w
168 Hours in Hell Chapter 76
VIOLETEvery day, I keep up the ruse of my routine. I go to class. I eat with Willow and some other girls from the dance team—ones who’ve sided with me since Paris declared war. I study in the library, watch movies on the couch at night. I dodge questions about the article, doing my best to ignore the accusing glares.Willow eventually brought to my attention that someone had made copies of the article and posted them on a blog. Everyone wanted to know what Greyson and I were doing together, and they blamed me for the smear campaign.How does that happen?How do they see a single photo of us together, not eventogether-together, and pin the blame for his actions on me?They can’t blame their star hockey player. Not when he’s going to help carry the team to a championship…It doesn’t matter that they sided with me after the cafeteria incident. It doesn’t seem to matter that there’s no hard evidence against me either. What Greyson wants, Greyson gets.And he got the whole school to loath
168 Hours in Hell Chapter 77
Jess snorts and refills my cup. “Off to a good start.”“You’ve been noticeably absent,” another girl calls.I turn my attention to the group. The one who spoke is a sophomore on the dance team. I think her name is Michelle?I shift, suddenly uncomfortable with the spotlight.I shouldn’t be. I grew up in the spotlight. I was cultivated in the spotlight. But somehow, sparring with Greyson has worn away the edges. I’ve come to learn that it hurts when I’m put to the test and don’t pass.Is that what happened? I didn’t pass his test?My cheeks burn.Willow grips my free hand. “She’s been letting Paris cool off. You know how she gets.”More girls nod, and I relax. We find seats, and the discussion moves from me to Paris. I’m not the only one who’s felt her wrath over the years, I guess. Then from Paris to Greyson—and the whole hockey team. They’re on a winning streak, demolishing the competition at an away game last weekend.I smile and drink and nod my way through the evening.I’m as plas
Latest chapter
