Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 98909 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 495(@200wpm)___ 396(@250wpm)___ 330(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98909 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 495(@200wpm)___ 396(@250wpm)___ 330(@300wpm)
Keaton pales, and everyone else seems to brace himself. Until Tanner steps between Judd and Keaton, keeping the two of them apart. “Back to your corners.”
I suck in a breath. What is happening right now?
“Un-fucking-called for,” Keaton growls.
“I gotta go upstairs,” I mutter. Not only do I need to wash the smell of loser off my body, but I’m too tired to think. If Judd mouths off one more time I’m gonna punch him for sure. And then I really will get thrown out of Alpha Delt. Just like he hopes. I turn toward the stairs, maneuvering past Reed and Zimmer.
“Your fuck buddy will be right up, I’m sure,” Judd chirps.
I freeze as silence descends on us. But then I have to turn around. And sure enough, everyone is watching me, wondering what I’ll say.
I’m too shocked to speak. Because…everyone knows? Jesus Christ. When did that happen? And why? Keaton could’ve come up with a million excuses as to why we were together when we pulled up in that car. I mean, obviously he revealed the truth about our weekend to the lawyer, because he went on the record as my official alibi.
But he told the fraternity?
Keaton’s is the last face I check. He’s pale, his mouth a hard line. When he catches me look at him, he closes his eyes.
Oh my fucking god.
“I’m sorry,” he grinds out.
“Yeah, I’m sure you are,” I mumble. I’m sure he’s sorry he ever met me at all.
Keaton flinches, but I don’t know if it’s because of my words, or because there’s someone pounding on the front door right now.
“Luke Bailey!” shrieks a voice from the other side of the six-panel oak door. “Someone help me!”
I’m across the foyer and yanking open the door in a huge hurry. “Mom,” I say gruffly as soon as I see her tear-stained face. “Calm down.”
She tries to push past me into the house, but I tighten my grip on the door, keeping her outside. “Aren’t you going to let me in?” she sobs.
“Not necessary,” I say in a low voice. “Why are you here?”
“Lukey! You need to come home right now! They took Joey!”
“When?”
“Just now! Those pigs showed up and accused him of stealing computers or something,” she sobs. “They arrested him and took him away! We need to go and get him out. You have to post bail—”
“No,” I ease the door closed behind me so that we’re alone on the stoop.
“W-what?” Her voice trembles, and she’s sniffling repeatedly. “W-what do you mean, no? He’s your brother. He needs help.”
“Yes, he needs help,” I agree. “But it’s not going to come from me, Mom. Those computers he stole? He tried to blame the theft on me.”
As always, my mother passionately comes to Joe’s defense. “You’re wrong. Joey would never do that!”
“He would, and he did.” Bitterness coats my throat. “He stole my ID and broke into my school, Mom. And then he let me take the rap for it.” Her voice isn’t the only voice that’s shaking. “I-I spent the night in lock-up. Do you…Christ…do you know how demoralizing that was?”
“We need to post Joey’s bail,” she says without acknowledging a word I’ve said. “It’s only seven hundred and fifty dollars! And then we have to work on the lawyer…”
“No,” I repeat, angrily this time. “I won’t be posting his bail. In fact, if for some reason the justice system fails and he isn’t thrown back in prison for this, I’ll be filing a restraining order against him.” I take a breath. “I never want to lay eyes on Joe Bailey again.”
There’s a short, shocked silence.
When she speaks again, I don’t expect what comes out.
“You ungrateful little shit,” my mother growls. “Do you realize how much he’s done for you! How much we’ve both done for you! I gave you life—”
My jaw drops. “Really? You’re going there, are you?”
“And now you have the chance to save your brother’s life and you’re deserting him? You’re just going to let him rot in jail?” Her sobs grow louder. “Who are you! You’re not my son! My son would never do something like this! I swear to God, Luke, if you do this you’re not my son anymore!”
I feel perfectly hollow inside as she says this. She’s never gone with the nuclear option before, but I feel strangely calm, anyway. Because we were always going to end up here.
“Okay,” I finally whisper.
Mom’s sobs literally cut off mid-wail. “Okay?” she says, standing up straighter. “You’ll post bail?”
“No.” I try to swallow the enormous lump in my throat. I fail. “Okay, then I guess you and I are done. Write me out of the will, Ma.” My laugh is brittle.
“You little shit,” she hisses. “No loyalty. Just like your father.”
“Ma,” I gasp, the insult catching me completely off guard. It’s the deepest cut she’s ever given me. My whole life she’s referred to him as “that cruel man who did us a favor when he left.”