Page 91 of The Obvious Check
“Adley,” I gently warn, slowing my steps further. “What’s going on?”
She hesitates. “Nothing. Just normal school stuff.”
I stop walking entirely, anxiety spiking again. “Ads. Don’t lie to me.”
Adley sighs deeply. “It’s Briar.”
“What about her?”
“That girl Carissa is just a bitch,” she mutters, her voice low and threaded with anger.
“What did she do?”
“She’s been targeting Briar even more lately,” Adley says quietly. “It’s bad, Sav. Briar’s coming home crying. She’s inconsolable some nights. Yesterday, she was taking notes, minding her business. Carissa sat behind her, and before she even realized what was happening, people started laughing.”
Dread coils tightly in my stomach. “What did she do?”
Adley’s voice trembles. “She cut Briar’s hair, Sav. Right in the middle of class. Snipped off a chunk and waved it around like some sick joke. The teacher did nothing. I half-expect he laughed along since I’m pretty sure she slept with him last year to get her grades up.”
“How’s Briar?”
“She acts like she doesn’t care, but I can see it when she comes home. I hear the taunts. They call us orphan charity cases, and some of them act like we don’t matter since we don’t have parents who will fight for us.”
My fists clench so tight, the leash digs painfully into my palm. Stanley whines quietly, sensing my distress.
“I’m going to kill her,” I whisper fiercely.
“Carissa?” Adley asks nervously.
“Yes, Carissa,” I snap. “And everyone else who laughed instead of stopping it. How’s Briar now?” I ask, my voice strained because I feel fiercely protective over a girl I’ve only met once through FaceTime. “I promise, Adley, I’m going to figure out a way to help both of you,” I say firmly, my voice carrying all the conviction I have. “Just hang in there, okay? Keep Briar close. Stay safe.”
“I will,” she replies quietly, exhaustion heavy in her voice. “I should probably get back to class.”
“Of course. Talk soon?”
“Yeah. Love you, Sav.”
“Love you too.”
I end the call, still trembling with the intensity of my emotions. Kneeling down, I scratch Stanley gently behind the ears, drawing comfort from his steady presence.
“Let’s go, Stanley,” I whisper, rising to my feet, my resolve stronger than ever. “We’ve got work to do.”
Chapter 22
As soon as I step onto the bus, I’m assaulted by the smell of stale sweat and cheap cologne that usually doesn’t faze me. But today? Today it makes me want to turn around and walk straight back to her.
Fuck.
All I want is Savannah’s scent wrapped around me. Sweet and addictive, I can vividly remember the smell of her shampoo lingering on my pillow and the way it feels to wake up next to her.
I’ve tasted her, kissed her until we were both breathless. Had her trembling and coming apart under my hands. I’ve seen that shy, devastating smile that’s mine and mine alone, and I’m already hungry for more.
More mornings with her hair spilled across my sheets. More stolen kisses. More laughter. More of her filling up every corner of my lonely life.
I’m completely fucked, aren’t I?
I’m past the point of no return and happily walking down the narrow aisle of this bus knowing she’s the prize I’m coming home to after this game.
