Chapter Twenty-Two 

 

 

As soon as the last bell rings, I rush to my locker and grab my backpack, along with the white uniform blouse that hangs from the hook inside.  I beeline to the bathroom and lock myself in a stall before stripping off the stupid shirt Kingsley forced me to wear. 

He still hasn’t returned my bra.  What does he plan to do?  Steal them every day?  After a week, I’ll run out.  Not that he would care. 

It’s a relief when I slip the last button through the hole and tuck the hem of my shirt into my skirt before sliding my arms into the blazer.  I’ve never been so happy in my life to wear a school uniform. 

Thank God this horrific day is over, and I can finally get the hell out of here. 

No more Kingsley. 

With my backpack hoisted over my shoulder, I push out of the bathroom and into the crowded hallway.  Students linger in small clusters, chatting and laughing.  No one pays me any attention.  A look here and there, but nothing more than that.   

The moment I step outside, I inhale a fresh lungful of air and walk to the parking lot before weaving my way to the G-wagon.  For the second day in a row, there aren’t eggs or shaving cream decorating the hood and windshield.  The heavy coils of anxiety wrapping their way around me, loosen just a bit. 

From the corner of my eye, I catch a group of girls staring.  I turn my head more fully only to meet Sloane’s narrowed gaze.  Four of her friends are standing with her.  They’re all wearing matching bitchy expressions.  These are the kind of girls I was careful to avoid back home.  I had Sloane pegged from the first time I saw her at Rothchild’s and her behavior hasn’t disappointed. 

When the blond continues to track me with her gaze, I flip her the bird.  One of her clones sputters in disbelief as I stalk past.  With a relieved huff, I click the locks on the SUV and slide behind the wheel.  The pumping beat of alternative rock fills the cabin.  Twenty minutes of this and I just might feel human again by the time I reach our house. 

As I’m about to shift the gear into reverse, someone slaps their palm against the driver’s side window.  Stifling a yelp of surprise, I swing around only to find icy blue eyes glaring at me. 

Seriously? 

Ugh. 

This girl needs to get a life and leave me the hell alone. 

When I don’t immediately roll down the glass, her scowl deepens, and she smacks her hand against it again. 

What the fuck! 

I’m surprised she didn’t shatter the window. 

I stab the button with my finger and any semblance of safety disappears between us.  “What the hell is your problem?” 

“You,” she snarls in response.  “You’re my problem.” 

“How exactly am I your problem?”  Before she can answer, I continue.  “Did I follow you to your car like a stalker before accosting you?”  I shake my head.  “No, I don’t think so.” 

“You need to stop hanging all over Kingsley.”  A sneer curls her lip.  “It’s pathetic.” 

“Is that what I’m doing?”  I pretend to ponder her words.  “Hanging all over your boyfriend?” 

She presses her lips together as a pink stain seeps into her cheeks. 

Hmmm.  Interesting.  I’d wondered if there might be something between them, but obviously that’s not the case or she would be quick to stake her claim.  “I mean, he is your boyfriend, right?” 

Ignoring my question, she growls, “There’s no way he would ever get with a Hawthorne.  All he’s trying to do is make your life miserable.” 

Laughter bursts from my lips.  I don’t even bother trying to control it. 

This girl is legit crazy. 

“And your jealous of that?  I’m not sure what your definition of pathetic is, but that would be mine.” 

A furious rush of color floods Sloane’s face as her minions go silent.  When she continues to glower, I decide it’s the perfect time to take off. 

“Thanks for clarifying matters.  I’m glad we had this little chat.”  With that, I stab the button for the window and watch as her eyes widen at my dismissal.  Then I jerk the SUV into reverse and stomp on the gas pedal. 

The tires squeal as Sloane screams and jumps away from the vehicle.  “You almost ran me over, you stupid bitch!” 

“My bad!” I yell.  “I’ll try not to miss next time!”  Then I give her a wave before peeling out of the parking lot. 

A smile tickles the corners of my lips as my shoulders shake with silent mirth.  Not long after that, a few chuckles slip free.  Before I know it, I’m laughing so hard that tears leak from the corners of my eyes.  I can barely see the ribbon of road as I drive home.  I should probably pull over until the hysteria passes. 

I can’t remember the last time I had something to laugh about and it feels amazing.  I’m sure Sloane and her minions will make me pay for my insubordination.  She’s just another name to add to the growing list of haters.  In all honesty, she doesn’t frighten me nearly as much as Kingsley does. 

By the time I pull into the driveway, my laughing jag has subsided.  With my backpack hitched over one shoulder, I slam out of the SUV and head inside.  I stand in the foyer waiting for Mom to call out her normal greeting, but the house remains silent. 

“Hello,” I yell. 

When there isn’t an answering response, I peek in the study only to find it empty.  I backtrack to the entryway and peer out the window, realizing the Volvo isn’t parked in the drive as usual. 

I take the stairs two at a time to the second floor before rapping my knuckles against Austin’s closed door.  Only now do I realize how much I missed him at school.  I was so preoccupied with Kingsley most of the day that I didn’t give much thought to my brother.  Remorse rushes in to swamp me. 

When Austin doesn’t answer, I wonder if he went with Mom and Dad to work.  I push open the door and peek around the corner.  With his back to me, Austin stares out the window while doing bicep curls with a set of fifty-pound dumbbells. 

I call his name again, but he must have the music blasting in his ears.  Carefully I step around him, not wanting to get hit with the weights.  Once he spots me from the corner of his eye, I wave my hand.  He jerks his head in acknowledgement and finishes up his reps.  With a roll of my eyes, I throw myself on the bed to wait. 

God forbid he turn off the music and talk to me.  When he wraps up his workout, he sets the adjustable dumbbells on the floor and yanks out the AirPods. 

“Hey.”  His breathing is heavy as he grabs a jug of water from his desk and guzzles half of it.  Then he sets it down and wipes the sweat from his brow.  “How did school go?”  Concern colors his expression. 

Under no circumstance will I be telling Austin about the deal I made with Kingsley.  If he ever found out, he would lose it. 

“It was fine.”  I give him my most innocent smile and hope he doesn’t ask further questions.  My lying skills are subpar, especially when it comes to him. 

“Really?”  His eyes narrow suspiciously.  “No vandalism to the G-wagon?” 

“Nope.”  I pop the P and shake my head.  “Maybe everything will finally settle down.” 

My brother snorts out his disbelief.  “Bullshit.” 

“Language!” I snap, doing my best Mom impersonation. 

He cracks a smile before taking another drink of water.  “You’re not lying to me, are you?   You didn’t have any problems today?” 

Ugh.

Let’s drop this conversation before I slip up and reveal information he doesn’t need to know about.  I’m all right telling a slight fib if it helps the greater good, but if he keeps drilling me...I’ll end up folding like a cheap house of cards and then all hell will break loose.  I can’t take the chance of that happening. 

I hop off the bed, fully prepared to retreat.  “Everything was fine.”  Technically, if you remove Kingsley from the equation, that statement is one hundred percent accurate.  Avoiding eye contact, my gaze flies around the room.  The heat of his stare burns a hole through me, prompting me to add, “Who knows?  Maybe Pembroke had a chat with all the guys involved.” 

His skeptical grunt is answer enough. 

I give him a bit of side eye before moving restlessly around the room.  “Did you hear anything about football?”  Dread fills me as I spin toward him.  “You haven’t been kicked off the team, have you?” 

“Actually, Mom got a call from Pembroke a couple hours ago.  Since this was my first offense, all I need to do is serve a three-day out-of-school suspension and sit out for the first game of the season.”  He shakes his head as if he can’t believe his good fortune.  “That’s my punishment.” 

“Seriously?”  The breath escapes from my lungs as a wide grin breaks out across my face.  “That’s awesome news!” 

Once again, I’m floored by the extent of Kingsley’s reach.  Without him intervening, I have no doubt that Pembroke would have pushed for expulsion.  He wasn’t interested in hearing our side of the story.  Relief floods through me that Austin will not only stay in Hawthorne but continue to play football. 

“We’ll see.”  He shrugs, some of his happiness leaking away.  “Who knows how much play time I’ll get.” 

“Why don’t we wait and see what happens before you get all pessimistic on me,” I say, heading toward the door.  “I have a feeling our situation is about to improve.” 

“Oh, yeah?”  Curiosity fills his voice.  “And why’s that?” 

“No reason,” a smile simmers around the edges of my lips, “it’s just a feeling.” 

As he opens his mouth to fire off another question, I slip from the room and close the door before leaning heavily against it. 

Thank God.

Even though Kingsley did his best to humiliate me today, it was well worth it.  There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for my brother.