Page 99 of Hate So Deep
However, I can’t betray my brother and on our side of this shitty town, loyalty is the only true currency we have.
I would never turn my back on the guy who’s always had my own and yet, I couldn't resist when I saw her walking through the crowd.
Why did she have to turn up today of all fucking days?
I vowed to let the little troublemaker go but as soon as I spotted her, I knew I had to spill my dirty onto her clean.
Strangely, with Lauren, all the shitty thoughts swirling through my head disappear when I’m with her. It’s like she truly does know how to wash it all away and that’s the balm I need for the coming fight with my father about shit that should’ve stayed in the past.
She’s the only one who can tame the beast writhing below my skin.
It was a mistake though and I can’t deny that regret pulls at my gut when she looks back with her pretty green eyes and I recognize what she can’t put into words.
She’s lost but I’m hardly the one who can save her. Most days, it feels as though I can’t find my way out of a cardboard box.
Chapter 38
NOW
Lauren
The next few days are quiet while I slowly heal.
Thankfully, my dad believed my lie when I told him I was in a car accident although he was upset that I didn’t call anyone when it happened. I suspect Celia was not so gullible and I still have to figure out the car situation but at least I wasn’t forced to make an assault report to the cops.
Dirk never returned with Hayden that night, leaving me to awkwardly request a ride home.
Asshole.
A year ago, my life was so much simpler, but I was worrying about the wrong things. Who cared if my dad had another fucking family?
Do I really blame him for leaving my soulless mother and trying to find happiness somewhere else?
No, but I let my fears guide my actions when I should have been trying to save my brother from his darkness.
Although maybe that’s foolish too because Buck’s always been a jerk. Clearly a guy who’s willing to buy date rape drugs is not a stand-up individual.
Either way, there’s nothing I can do about it now and as it stands, the only person I can save is myself.
Should I tell the police what happened, or will that further their suspicions?
I did get out of a few days of school due to my injuries but unfortunately, Dad forced me to go on Friday.
Dad and Celia’s new house resides in Academy’s district. Even though Cat now has the opportunity to go to Academy, she chose to stay at Northside. I don’t blame her.
Ever since Dirk kicked Danny’s ass the first time, I’ve been an outcast but for a few students who don’t give a fuck and throw me a bone now and then.
Yesterday, I convinced Cat to drop me at my other house to pick up my car.
To my relief, Mom wasn’t home. However, I had to make the accident believable, and it broke my heart, but I sideswiped a wall on the way back, down an abandoned street filled with defunct buildings.
Now I’m back at school and by lunch, I’m ready to skip out but I don’t want to hear from my mom if I do, which is why I buy some fries and a bottle of water before sitting in the cafeteria near the wall.
I’m halfway through my lunch and minding my own damn business when Tori, my former best friend, sits down across from me.
Her glossy hair shines as she tosses her hair over her shoulder, but she doesn’t say anything until I wrinkle my nose and ask, “What?”
“Do you even care that that animal put Danny in the hospital?”
