Total pages in book: 144
Estimated words: 137654 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 688(@200wpm)___ 551(@250wpm)___ 459(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 137654 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 688(@200wpm)___ 551(@250wpm)___ 459(@300wpm)
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 ’cause 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 gonna 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. 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.
“Why are we here?” Kellan demands, walking in and not wasting a second of his time.