Page 81 of Twisted Lies

“Someone on the side,” he explains simply, “A friend that’s more than just a friend. I can tolerate Bryce,” Justin can barely control his voice as he whispers, “Who can compete with perfection?” He sneers. “But Wyatt?” He shakes his head.

“What’s wrong with Wyatt?” That dark look he shoots makes me regret being bold enough to ask.

“Wyatt is a lost cause,” he replies hatefully.

“Don’t say that,” I whisper.

Justin smiles as if he’s won the argument. “He’s losing his hold. His family is sliding off into oblivion. Generations of wealth lost overnight.”

I stare at the wicked pleasure in his eyes. “But Wyatt stuck up for you that day.”

“I didn’t need that loser’s help,” Justin replies.

“Pierce wanted you gone,” I answer back, “and you’re okay with him?”

Justin turns his back on me. “Pierce is different. I wouldn’t mind sharing with him.”

I grab his shoulder and try to spin him around to face me. But Justin won’t budge. He doesn’t want to look me in the eye and say these fucked-up things. Is it really what he thinks? I step around him and shout in his face. “He’s a bully!”

Justin shakes my hand off his shoulder, and I back away. “He’s been through hell,” he replies, “but he’s still here.”

I crease my forehead, and the words are out of my mouth before I can stop myself. “Was he molested?”

Justin moves so fast that I jump back, but he catches my upper arms in my grip and gives me a head-bobbing shake. “Who told you that lie?” he snarls into my face. His breath hits my skin, but this time I recoil from his closeness.

My body shakes again as his hands tighten, placing bruises on my skin. The sweet boy I love to fuck on that platform isn’t staring back into my eyes. This isn’t someone who wants me uncensored. This boy wants to hurt me, and I realize slowly that Justin could if he wanted to.

“It’s a rumor,” I whisper.

He continues to stares at me as his anger cools. “Don’t repeat it again.” Justin lets go of my arms, and I stumble back, catching myself. He lies back down on the platform, placing the buds in his ears, and ignores me until I finally take the hint and leave on my own. I went in there angry but leave more confused. My ego is cut down, and I still don’t know who stole the list.

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