“She went home, Cole!” My jaw tightens. “I tried to stop her—”
“You should have fucking forced her,” I snap, interrupting him.
He sighs. “The thought crossed my mind, but Becky was right there. I couldn’t …”
“Couldn’t what?” I question when he trails off.
“Hurt her.”
AUSTIN
“I’m going home,” I tell Deke as we stand outside the clubhouse.
“No, you can’t …”
“I need answers.” And we both know that Cole isn’t going to give them.
“I won’t let you.” Deke comes to stand in front of me. He’s crossed his arms over his broad chest and glares down at me.
At one time, I feared Deke, but that time has passed. “I’m not going to stay with Becky because I’m not going to risk her life. And you’re not going to either.” With that, I yank open my door and get into my car. And take off.
I storm into my father’s house. “Dad? Dad?” I shout.
“What the hell …?” Celeste comes running down the hall. “What happened to you?” she asks wide-eyed, looking over my neck at the bruises and hickeys Cole gave me.
“Where’s my father?” I ask, ignoring her concern.
“He left for Florida earlier this morning. Why? Is something wrong?”
“I know.” I cut to the chase. I’m not in the mood for small talk. I’m fucking pissed.
Her already big eyes grow bigger, and her face pales. “Austin ...”
“I fucking know,” I shout. “You think you could keep that from me?” I shake my head. Would they have ever told me that I had a sister? “That I wouldn’t find out?” I dig into my pocket and rip my phone out.
“What are you doing?” she asks in a panic.
“Calling him …”
The phone is ripped from my hand.
“Give me my phone,” I demand.
“You can’t,” she says as tears start to well in her brown eyes. “Please. It was supposed to be a one-time thing, but then it happened again. And again.” Her first tear falls. “I’m so lonely,” she admits, and I stand confused for the second time tonight. She sniffs. “Cole came to me and told me to get him off your back. And I’ve tried, Austin.” She drops my phone and places her hands on my shoulders. “Please understand I’m trying. But Kellan won’t let it go.” She pulls me into her and buries her head into my chest and sobs. “I’m so sorry. I called out Cole’s name while I was with Kellan. Please forgive me.”
What. The. Fuck.
“I didn’t mean to hurt you. Kellan wanted me to do it, so you would leave Cole. He wants to hurt him.” She sobs.
I pry her hands from my shoulders and take a step back from her.
“Kellan wants you out of the group. He knows you had something to do with Cole not doing his dare,” she rattles off, “but he can’t prove it. He was so mad that you outsmarted him.” She reaches up and wipes the tears from her face. “I told him you’re smarter than they are.”
Damn right I am.
But I’ve underestimated all of them, though. Even Cole.
“Austin, I …”
“I’m done with this conversation,” I say, interrupting her.
She swallows nervously. “Please. Please don’t tell Bruce.”
I look her in the eyes and smile. The terror on her face makes me want to laugh. “Your secret is safe with me.” Then I reach down, pick up my phone, and walk down the hallway and out the back door, wanting some fresh air.
_______________
I spent all day Saturday and Sunday relaxing in the pool. Celeste steered clear of me. If she wasn’t in her room, she was out. Probably fucking Kellan somewhere. At this point, I don’t care who she screws. My father raped a woman, got her pregnant, and then tried to kill her son. My father deserves to pay for that. And his trophy wife fucking a senior in high school isn’t enough if you ask me.
Cole blew up my phone Saturday night like he finally had something to say to me. I ignored them all. But I made sure to read his messages just so he would see that I saw them. He was on the top of my shit list. And it seemed to be growing by the second.
I spoke to Becky and told her that my father was out of town. His calls stopped after that. I only did it because I knew she would tell Deke, and he would pass the message on to Cole.
Monday finally rolled around, and I got up, got ready, and drove myself to school. I sat down in first period and spoke to Becky like nothing ever happened. She stared at me like I needed to be admitted to a psych ward. I just smiled. Because in a way she was right. I officially no longer care about anything but revenge. I’m going to do what they all did. Turn off my emotions and play the fucking game. Like I should have done from the beginning.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
COLE
SHE’S AVOIDED ME completely this week while at school. Five whole days of not a single word. Not even a glance my way. And it’s not like I haven’t tried. She just acts like I don’t even exist. It’s taken all I have not to pin her up against a locker and choke her until she’s clawing at my arms and chest, silently begging me to let her breathe. But I know Austin Lowes. She would willingly pass out before she begged me for anything.
And I no longer want to hurt her.
“You okay, man?” Deke asks as we walk to our cars in the parking lot of the school after practice.
“Fine.”
He sighs. “Becky’s worried about Austin.”
I come to a stop and turn to face him. “Why? Did Austin say something to her?”
He shakes his head. “Just that she isn’t herself.”
I snort. “Of course not. She’s been blackmailed and lied to.”
“Hey, guys. Wait up.”
We look over at the door to see Shane and Bennett approaching. “What do you think it’s about?” Shane asks.
“Think what is about?” Deke asks him.
“The text Austin just sent us,” Bennett answers.
I dig in my pocket as Kellan joins us. Deke and I no longer speak to him either.
Austin: Clubhouse ten tonight.
Kellan smiles. “Maybe she’s finally pulling out.”
She wouldn’t do that. Not now. I’m not sure what she’s thinking but running isn’t something she does. He’s stupid to even think that.
“Guess we’ll find out at ten,” Bennett says.
_______________
I pull up to the clubhouse at ten on the dot. Her car is already parked outside along with Deke’s Range Rover and Bennett’s white Mercedes. I had every intention to be here early and try to talk to her, but I had a phone call that ran longer than planned.
I walk inside to see her sitting on the couch with her eyes looking down at her phone. She wears a pair of black shorts and a black top. Her hair is down and straight, and she looks absolutely amazing.
My chest tightens when I think about how I’ve hurt her. Lied to her.
Ever since she walked out of this door a week ago, she has consumed my thoughts. Fuck her dad for trying to kill me. He’ll pay for that in time. Right now, I gotta do whatever I can to get her back.