The Secret Society

Chapter 8

Brixlee's phone chimed early that morning, Cole's following shortly after. She inhaled sharply, turning over to see Cole facing away from her, his immensely tattooed back on display. She studied the pieces—a large howling wolf was in the middle on his shoulder blades, its neck morphing into a beautiful flower as its petals became ravens, flying away and blending with other pieces on his back. The artistry of it was spectacular; she couldn't believe that this was done by Aaron. She had a few tattoos herself, enjoying the stinging feeling of the needle drawing on her skin, but not as many as Cole. His arms were completely covered, parts of his back, and upper thighs, too. His torso had a few pieces as well, one being a quote on his right pectoral that intrigued her in a language she couldn't understand, but she assumed it was something beautiful.

After the second chime, she turned over again and looked at her phone. Shawn sent her a good morning text message and more chimes came in from Emmanuella; from what she wrote, it was making Brixlee worried.

Emmanuella: Brix! What the fuck is going on? Damon told me what happened last night, why didn't you call me? Are you okay? I'm really fucking worried!

Brixlee: It all happened so fast...I just didn't want to talk about it. I was going to call you today

Emmanuella: Did you get the text, too?

Brixlee: What text?

She closed their conversation, looking at her missed messages from Shawn, Claire, and a few other friends she'd been ignoring since yesterday—and a new one by an unknown number. She opened it to a photo of her and Cole. She was straddling him as he leaned forward, his mouth open around her breast as his tongue licked her nipple. The photo of them having sex had a message at the bottom of it. Brixlee shot up, holding the towel she fell asleep in to her chest.

Your twenty-four hours are up. I guess you didn't care for your friendship enough to see your best friend live another day.

She put her hand on her mouth and opened the group messages between her, Emmanuella, and Vera, wondering if this threat was real or if it was just part of a prank in an attempt to scare Brixlee because of everything that happened.

Brixlee: Vera! Please tell me you're awake!

She waited impatiently, nibbling on her thumbnail as she stared at the screen for a couple of moments.

Vera: I wasn't, but now I am. What's up?

Brixlee: Oh, thank God you're okay!

Emmanuella: Brixlee was attacked twice yesterday! I think it's best if you don't come home yet, wait until this psychopath is caught.

Three dots popped up and disappeared for nearly two minutes, giving Brixlee the chance to reply to other messages and finally add Cole to her contacts. Shawn was the only one she replied to.

Brixlee: Morning

Shawn: I got the text...you okay?

Brixlee: Seen better days, but I'm okay

Shawn: I'm gonna keep asking. Just a warning <3

Brixlee: Yeah, I know 😊

Brixlee grinned, remembering how caring Shawn had been when they fooled around. Then she looked over at Cole, and it made her feel so much safer than she had ever felt in the past.

Vera: I saw the text. You're with Cole?

Emmanuella: Don't get mad, V.

Brixlee: It wasn't planned, he's who I hooked up with Thursday