If it isn’t already clear how he feels about his little sister, it is now. At least to me, anyway, and most likely to Aiden and Hawk.
I don’t need to look at my friends to know they share the same expression as me: shock and horror.
What will the school think now that they know about Jaxon’s feelings for Dahlia? What will his parents think? Or even Dahlia, for that matter?
I slide my attention to Madison. Her face slackens and her skin leaches of all its color. I gauge her every expression, waiting for the disgust to come.
Will it click for her too?
Will Jaxon’s feelings for his sister make her want to puke?
Will it disgust her like it would disgust any normal person?
Will she judge him for his feelings?
Or will she express that love is love?
It doesn’t matter. Whatever she thinks won’t change how I view my feelings for her. It’s wrong and something I should avoid acting upon. I’ll continue to ignore her, hoping one day it’s enough to make her leave me alone.
Maybe one day, this sick crush I have on her will fade away, too.
16 years old
“FLESH” GHOSTEMANE
Standing aside while Mickey and his goons taunt and torture the kids at school is eating away at me, and I can’t do it anymore—especially when they bully Dahlia. Jaxon made it clear over the years that if someone fucks with her, he’ll sendthem to the hospital. He’s made good on that promise multiple times.
I admire the level of loyalty he has toward his sister. Deep down, I’m a little jealous because I wish I had the same close relationship with Ryder. But, no, Ryder has to be a dick to me and ruin any relationship we could have had as siblings. There are times when he isn’t so bad to me. Those are the moments I cherish the most. When I’m alone in the living room and studying, Ryder will walk by the couch and drop a sleeve of Starbursts beside me before he disappears through the back door. I don’t question him doing it anymore. What’s the point of picking it apart when I come to the same conclusion that I don’t know his intentions behind it?
Minnie’s soothing voice fills my head at times like these, when I doubt Ryder will ever come around. She’d stroke the back of my head while saying,“Patience, baby. He’ll eventually see you’ve had good intentions with him.”
Patience is difficult when my days are numbered.
Even though I did everything I could to show my father I had no desire to be a lady, the etiquette lessons continued. Dad broke the news this year that he’ll pair me with a suitor as soon as I turn eighteen. Despite the looming marriage, I kept the promise I made to myself that I would never date.
And then Mickey...stupid, sleazy asshole Mickey made me break that promise.
He was so insistent on it, pestering me until I gave in. The relationship didn’t last long, but the association with him dug my grave. Everyone here knows I’m part of the popular crowd too. All I want is to run and hide, hoping to find safety and a sense of control over my life. I’m sure every student in high school has a lot to say about me and the people I hang out with.
As if I’ve willed a disastrous situation into existence, I round the corner and spot Mickey and Kyle standing off to the side ofthe drama room. They’re fucking around with some helpless soul, and I wish I could help. Unfortunately for them, this is a survival-of-the-fittest situation. If I turn Mickey’s attention to me, I’ll never get away and give him the cold shoulder as I plan. I whisper a prayer beneath my breath, full of hope they don’t notice me as I duck my head and walk past.
Because I have the worst luck ever, they call out my name. I pretend I don’t hear them as I maintain the same steady pace. If I slow down even a little, it’ll look like I heard them. It’s the last thing I want. It’ll only piss Mickey off even more, and an angry Mickey is a scary Mickey.
“Mad!” Mickey yells.
My shoulders stiffen and reach my ears. My heart pounds harder against my ribs, threatening to burst free. I calm my breathing, hoping it’s enough to slow my racing heart.
“Yo, Mad!” Kyle bellows.
Students in the hallway turn at the commotion, shifting their focus to me with raised eyebrows. I hate being under their scrutiny.
I extend my strides and keep my gaze forward while wishing I could duck into my next class to get away from Mickey and Kyle. Unfortunately, it’s on the other side of the school, and I now have two football players hot on my trail.
A hand grabs my shoulder and whips me around, forcing me to come face to face with Mickey. Kyle stands behind him, though they share the same fuming expression as they look me over. I suppress a disgusted shudder at the familiar, leering expression on Mickey’s face.
“What the fuck, Madison?” Mickey snarls. “I called your name.”
I pull out the bitchy side I’ve perfected over the years. All the pretend arguments with Mickey and Madam Joan certainly helped.
