Page 12 of Chaos at Westbrook High

“Thanks, Terry,” I reply, taking the device he hands me to sign for it. “I told you to call me Hailey, remember?”

“Yes, Miss Lawson.”

I shake my head at him and hand the device back. He leaves, and I stay by the back door for a minute to ensure he doesn’t hurt himself climbing back up onto his seat. He’s perfectly capable, but I know his back gives him hell most of the time. Once he’s reversed out onto the quiet side street, I start carrying the boxes through to the front of the shop, finding Wyatt adding some whipped cream to an iced latte that I assume is for me.

“You’re the best.” I take the coffee he hands me and drop a straw into it, sucking it up like a fiend.

“I know.” He grins, pushing my cap down over my nose as he passes.

He walks around the counter and begins setting up tables, stealing a few glances at me while he works. Wyatt’s cute. He’s got sandy blond hair and a sweet smile. Some of his friends who come by sometimes like to joke that he has a crush on me, but I don’t buy it. He’s just being nice. If he liked me, I’m sure he would have asked me out by now. Not that I’m hoping he will. We’re just friends. Coworkers. Nothing more.

By the time I’ve stocked the cake cabinet and started prepping for breakfast, the main door is opened, and customers start coming in for their morning fix. I’m not as happy as I used to be, but I hide it well, and I don’t think anyone really notices.

The first twenty minutes go by without issue, but then Wyatt’s eyes flick to mine, and I glare at the coffee machine, already knowing what’s up without having to check for myself.

Every goddamn day.

Sometimes twice a day if he’s in the mood to piss me off.

I discreetly look over to see how many of them decided to tag along this morning, even more annoyed when I realize they’re all here. The five of them walk in here like they own the place, spooking my customers, and there’s nothing I can do about it because they’re considered royalty around here. Whatever they say goes, and only an idiot would dare get in their way. It’s bullshit, but it’s life.

Kai winks at me like we share a secret. We don’t. Then he says something to Wren with his eyes on me. Wren laughs at him, and I look away, trying my hardest to ignore them without being obvious about it. I’m busy anyway, so it’s not hard to pretend.

Once it’s their turn, I step away from the register and Wyatt takes over for me. I know the Kingstons are dangerous. I’ve seen the proof with my own eyes more than once. But I don’t think they’re stupid enough to attack my employees for no reason in front of all these witnesses, which is why I don’t mind leaving him alone with them.

“I gotta go,” I say to Wyatt. “Hannah will be here any second. I’ll be back at four.”

“Don’t worry.” Wyatt grins. “I got this.”

I nod, locking my jaw when I hear Kai’s taunting voice. “Baby, don’t be like that,” he calls, but I’m already leaving, my teeth clenched together as I grab my bag from the break room.

I don’t have time to go home to get changed for school, so I lock myself in the bathroom and change in here instead. I pull on a pair of faded jeans and change into an oversized T-shirt. Then I remove my Valerie’s cap and switch it out for a regular black one. When I’m done, I check myself in the mirror and take a breath, nervous again and dreading it.

Don’t be a chickenshit, Hailey.

Forcing myself to move before I change my mind and run home to my brother, I brush my fingers through my hair, adjust my ball cap, and exit the bathroom. When I hear Kai’s voice, I turn around and walk out the back door instead of going through the front of the shop. Not because I’m afraid of him—he doesn’t scare me—but because I can’t stand the sight of him and I’d rather avoid the bastard as much as I possibly can. But once I get to school…

Fuck. There’ll be no escaping him there.

Chapter 5

HAILEY

Westbrook High is huge. It’s at least three times the size of my old school in Bridgeport. The parking lot is filled with cars and people, most of them standing around and talking with their friends, some headed towards the double doors of the ominous building in front of me.

I need to walk through those doors and make a left—I know because I studied the map in my enrollment packet like my life depended on it—but my feet won’t move for some reason. I’m stuck to the ground in the far corner of the lot, hiding between the trees.

I came here once when my brother was a junior. His dad forgot his birthday, and I knew he was upset about it even though he pretended he wasn’t. Val closed the shop early so she and I could surprise him. We picked him up from school and took him to the carnival a few towns over. He called me lame for coming up with the idea, but I know he secretly loved it.

It’s been forever since I’ve seen him happy like that.

Chewing the inside of my cheek, I hesitate for a few moments while I fiddle with the phone in my hand, debating with myself over what I’m about to do. He’ll think I’m weak, a lost little girl in need of saving, but fuck it, and fuck him. I need my older brother.

Decision made, I call his number and press the phone to my ear.

“What is it?” he asks as soon as he answers, still pissed at me by the sound of it.

“What do I do?”

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