Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 93312 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93312 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
Valen wrinkles her nose at him. “What is that?” She picks at a piece of her soft pretzel and pops it into her mouth.
“Less dangerous than a firebomb. Usually meant to intimidate or send a message rather than do actual damage,” Christian chimes in. “Just be glad you were in the kitchen when it happened.”
“That’s actually kind of a relief,” I say.
“Okay, but it’s fire. Fire is never not dangerous. Who the hell would do that?”
I shrug, just as clueless as she is.
“Do you want to sleep at my house for a while? You know you can stay however long you want.”
“No can do,” Holden butts in. “She’s staying with us.”
Valen raises one of her perfect eyebrows. “She’s my best friend. Get your own.”
“She’s my sister,” Holden slings back. “Get your own.”
I roll my eyes at their bickering. “I want to stay close to my house until the window’s fixed, but I have a feeling I’ll be taking you up on your offer soon.”
“Fine.”
“So, when are you going to see Liam?” I ask, desperate for a change in subject.
“Today. I’m going to leave early to make the drive.”
“Douchebag,” Holden coughs into his fist and I elbow him in the ribs, making him wince.
“Is he going to make this lingering thing a habit?” Valen asks, sending him a dirty look.
“Unfortunately.”
“Get used to it, baby.” Holden smiles wide, showing his pearly whites.
“Get a life, baby,” she mocks.
“Bitch.”
“Lurker!”
The bell rings, putting me out of my misery, and Valen stands from the table, dumps her tray, then stomps off toward her class.
“Be nice to her,” I say as the three of us stand, heading for the main hall.
Holden jerks his gaze away from her retreating ass. “I’d be very, very nice to her if she’d just let me.”
I snort out a laugh. “I’ll see you after class.”
Once Holden’s out of sight, I jog to catch up with Christian who’s a few paces ahead of me. “Hey.”
He stops, turning to face me as the hall clears out.
“I just wanted to make sure you’re okay.”
He frowns at me, but there’s a sadness in his eyes. A heaviness to them, and I can’t remember if it was always there, or if it’s a recent development. “I’m fine.”
That’s what he said that night, too.
“I didn’t say anything.”
“I know.”
“But I don’t like keeping this secret,” I admit.
“Don’t worry about me, Shayne. I’m a big boy.”
I shake my head, frustrated. “You’re putting me in a shitty situation.” I try a different approach.
“Yeah, well, no one asked you to stick your nose where it doesn’t belong.”
I frown and he rolls his eyes. “I have it handled.”
I nod, walking away, knowing we’re at an impasse.
“Shayne,” he calls out.
“Yeah?”
“I’m glad you’re okay,” he says, his tone uncharacteristically sincere.
“Back at you.”
Class after boring class, I try to do what Thayer said. I try paying attention to my surroundings, but I don’t notice anything different from any other day. Taylor still gets her jabs in when she can, and if anything, with Holden and Christian flanking me, I draw even more attention than normal. This is exactly what I wasn’t looking forward to. The icing on the cake is when Thayer’s waiting for us in the parking lot, standing in front of his car after school. “That’s definitely going to feed the rumor mill.”
“See you at home.” Holden laughs, nodding his chin to acknowledge Thayer before he heads toward his Rover.
Home.
Those stupid butterflies are back at the sight of Thayer standing there in black jeans and black shirt, his lightning tattoo on full display, hands stuffed into his front pockets. I walk over to him, holding my binder to my chest. “I could’ve caught a ride with Holden.”
“You could’ve,” he agrees, opening the door for me.
“People are going to talk.”
He shrugs. “Let them.”
Shayne
That’s pretty much how things go for the next week. Holden takes me to school and Thayer picks me up most days. They come to my games and even tried to go to my practices until Coach made them wait outside on account of distracting my teammates. Thayer had someone out to fix the window and it was like new after two days. Surprisingly, the only loss was my grandmother’s expensive rug, which we tossed, and a burn mark on the hardwood. I’ll worry about how to explain that to my mom later.
Every night we hang out together, sometimes with Christian, sometimes it’s just the three of us. Thayer brings me into his room after everyone goes to sleep, and every morning, I slip out of his bed, thoroughly fucked, before Holden and Christian wake up to get ready. We don’t talk about my brother. We don’t talk about Danny. We don’t even talk about who has it out for me after the first couple of days. It’s become our new normal, and I’m starting to dread going home in a few days.