Ryder cocks his head. “Didn’t know you were there.”
Kyle and Connor flank us. Olivia and Nova brush against my back, acting as my moral support.
Kaila moves into my view and rolls her eyes. “Quit being a baby.”
I shoot her a glare. She gives me the stink face and flicks her red hair over her shoulder.
Great. She’ll go to Mickey later and fill his head with lies for him to use against me to keep me in line.
“You didn’t hear me calling for you?” Mickey scoffs. “No, I think you guys were running from us like a bunch of cowards.”
Jaxon’s hands ball into tight fists until his knuckles turn white and his nostrils flare. Ryder keeps his expressionless mask on, which drives me up a wall. How can he always look so calm during a conflict?
“What do you want, Mickey?” Ryder’s voice comes out flat, the typical tone he uses, even at home with the family.
“Just to see if you guys want to play.”
Ryder’s shoulders stiffen. He’s clearly not buying Mickey’s lie. “Why?”
“Am I not allowed to play with other kids? Or are you too cool to hang out with us?”
I shift my weight to one leg, then the other. I don’t like this at all and can already tell it’s going to blow up into something bigger.
Olivia notices my discomfort and squeezes my hand in silent support.
“Don’t worry,” Nova whispers close to my ear. “Aiden can take them on.”
Ryder’s attention finally slides to me. All the air from my lungs disappears, and it feels like someone’s sitting on my chest as my stepbrother’s gaze remains on me.
He’s looking at me. He’s finally looking at me, and it’s all because of Mickey being a jerk. This is wrong. This is so wrong!
Ryder’s gaze dips from my face to where Mickey has a death grip on my arm. His dark eyebrows twitch. His calm expression cracks piece by piece, like dried paint on wood, twisting into an emotion I can’t put my finger on.
“Get the fuck out of here,” Aiden all but yells. His lips curl into a snarl as he holds himself back from attacking Mickey. Jaxon moves closer to Aiden, ready to grab him if it comes to it.
“Well, that’s not nice,” Mickey says with a mocking smile. “You’re not allowed to curse.”
I flinch as Mickey’s death grip tightens. I swear he’s about to crack a bone, and I know the jerk doesn’t care.
Ryder notices, and what remains of his calm mask shatters. His jaw clenches and shadows creep over his face as he steps forward, putting his friends behind him. “Let go of my little sister.”
“Why?” Mickey laughs and yanks me against his side. His fingers dig deeper into my already sensitive skin. “What are you gonna do about it?”
Ryder’s hands ball into fists at his sides. “I said, let go of her.”
Mickey backs away and jerks me in front of him to act as a shield as my brother and his friends move closer. He lets go of me, and I barely have a moment of relief before he squeezes my throat. I gasp and grapple at his wrists. My nails dig into his skin, earning a hissed breath from Mickey.
Ryder’s eyes widen, then narrow, before he lunges forward. He grabs my arm and yanks me toward him, only to stop short when Mickey refuses to let go of me. Aiden, Jaxon, and Hawk circle us. Everything happens so fast. Kyle and Connor scramble to fight Jaxon and Aiden, who attack like vicious dogs foaming at the mouth.
Mickey’s grip on my throat tightens until I can’t breathe, and he tugs me backward against him while Ryder yanks at my arm to get me out of Mickey’s grasp.
“Stop!” I scream. They ignore me, too deep in the fight.
Ryder jerks me out of Mickey’s grip, throws me behind him, and swings at Mickey. I back away, too shocked to say or do anything.
Olivia and Nova scatter away from the group of boys and flank me as we watch the fight in horror.
“Get off of him!” Kaila slaps at Ryder, who ignores her. “I’m getting the teacher!” She turns and sprints toward the adults.
