Total pages in book: 154
Estimated words: 151765 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 759(@200wpm)___ 607(@250wpm)___ 506(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 151765 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 759(@200wpm)___ 607(@250wpm)___ 506(@300wpm)
A sound of frustration ripped from Ramsay. “No!”
The leader looked her way. “Listen, I’m sorry for what—”
“That’s it?” Clint exclaimed. “I just threatened you with some evidence and you’re tucking tail and running.”
“We ain’t running from shit, but I’ve got sisters. I’m not down with what you say happened to your cous—”
A car alarm blasted through the air.
Everyone stopped and then twisted.
The car was back by the fraternity house. A black Pagani, tinted windows, black rims. The type of car that screamed wealth.
Trenton was standing next to it. Its lights were flashing, and he waved. “Hey. Hi. So. Hope this is one of yours . . .” He lifted the bat that was in his other hand. He smiled. “You guys are talking a lot, and I’m kinda tired of it.”
His waving hand fell down.
His smile dropped.
He stepped back, swung the bat up, and brought it down on top of the Pagani’s windshield.
70
RAMSAY
We were going back.
I was squished between my cousins in the back seat. Cohen and Scout were in the front. No one was talking. I didn’t know what was going on in my cousins’ heads, but I was thinking back to what just happened.
When Trenton smashed the windshield, everyone sprang into action. They were starting to fight when a loud horn sounded and everyone froze. The head guy from the fraternity was the one who’d sounded the alarm, and he lowered it, pointing at Scout. “We’re not going to fight.”
His fraternity brothers started arguing, but he only raised his voice and added, “I know who you are.” He was saying that directly to Scout. “I know who your family is. We’re not going to fight you.” His guys had quieted, and he turned toward them. “Everyone inside now!”
When they began trickling inside, the leader looked back and at me. “I’m sorry for what Prestige’s little brother did to you. I’m saying it to you straight. I would not have been okay with that. I have little sisters, and I would murder anyone who did to them what was done to you.” His eyes cut to Clint. “But having said all of that, if I see your face at one of our parties again, we’re going to beat the shit out of you.”
More than a few confused looks went Scout’s way, but he was moving first. He plucked me up, carrying me back to the truck, and within a minute, we were leaving.
We were lucky. They had an entire house against our six.
No matter Scout’s skills, no matter our adrenaline, it wouldn’t have been a good ending for us.
We were crossing the river, leaving Pine Valley behind. Turning onto the main road, then we’d go by the river until we needed to turn off on my road. It might’ve been cold out. It probably was. We were in the back and I wasn’t feeling a thing.
Except the adrenaline was starting to leave and exhaustion was creeping in.
I had no idea the time. I had no idea about a lot of things, but by the time we pulled up to my house, I was fighting back tears. I had no idea why. Alex saw me first and pulled me against him, his arm going around my shoulders. “A lot of shit went down tonight. Cry it out. We’ll be fine.”
I forced myself to sit up and patted his chest. “Thank you.”
He frowned, seeing my face.
“Shit,” Clint muttered, peering at the house.
Scout and Cohen’s uncles were gone, but my aunt’s was still there.
“Your car, man.” Trenton was looking at Clint.
Who grimaced. “We’ll get it tomorrow. I parked back a road. I don’t think they’ll spot it. It should be fine.” He looked my way. “What was that guy saying about Scout’s family?”
The truck turned off, and Scout’s door opened. The passenger door too. Cohen was getting out.
Clint vaulted from the back of the truck. Trenton was right behind him. Alex and I followed, but at a more sedate pace. Clint had asked the question, but I knew he wasn’t the only one wondering about Scout’s family.
“What’d that guy mean about your family?”
Scout looked over Clint’s head to me. I pressed my lips together.
He shrugged. “My dad’s known in the fighting world. That’s all, and I’m estranged from him.” His tone cooled.
Clint was studying him, nodding slowly.
Cohen frowned his way.
The house was still lit up, and I didn’t want to even look at my phone. I had silenced it earlier so I was sure there were so many messages from my mom.
“I knew.” Clint’s voice broke the slight quiet that had descended over the group. He was facing the house, his hands in his pockets, and he had a whole broody look over his face. “I knew about the affair. I walked in on Dad on the phone with her and overheard. They were talking about their next meet-up. He told Mom that they had stopped, but they hadn’t.” His jaw clenched. “I hate him. I’ve not said a word because I didn’t want you to feel what I did when I found out our dad is a cheating bastard.”