Page 112 of Chaos at Westbrook High

“No,” Damon says.

“You don’t even know what I’m?—”

“No,” Levi says.

Huffing, I fall back in my seat and cross my arms over my chest. “I’d make it look like an accident.”

“All right,” Wren says. “Let’s hear it.”

Grinning, I point at the lights above us. “I’ll unscrew one of the light bulbs and get him to change it. And then I’ll kick the ladder out from under him and he’ll break his neck. Problem solved.”

Wren laughs. “That’s actually not a bad idea.”

“No,” Damon and Levi say together.

I sigh heavily. Keeping one eye on Wyatt’s every move, I watch Hailey do her thing, smiling to myself when she barks out a laugh at something Callie says. Callie grins, proud of herself for making her laugh like that despite the shitty situation she’s in.

“She likes her,” I say to Damon.

“Yeah,” Damon agrees. “She does.”

Wyatt looks at the girls as he carries a couple cups back to the kitchen. When he squeezes past them, he touches Hailey’s back for half a second, and when Hailey’s shoulders go rigid, I’m on my fucking feet and rounding the counter, ready to draw some blood.

“Jesus Christ,” Derek says, grabbing me by the scruff of my neck and dragging me away.

Hailey’s eyes widen as she watches him pull me out of the shop, the door swinging shut behind us. When I can no longer see her, I shove Derek’s ass, my nostrils flaring when he blocks the entrance with his body.

“What do you think you’re?—”

“We need to get her out of here, Kai.”

“What?”

“You could come with us. If it’s your idea…” He pauses, lowering his voice as if she might hear. “If you’re the one to force her, she might go for it.”

“What are you talking about? Kidnapping her?”

“It’s not safe for her here. I can’t just sit around and wait for my dad to hurt her anymore. I need to get her as far away from this city as possible.”

“She’s not leaving this city,” I say clearly. “She’s not leaving this shop. And she’s not leaving me.”

“She could have you. Somewhere else.”

I shake my head. “We’re not taking her anywhere, Derek. Get that out of your head right fucking now. She’s not running. She doesn’t want to run.”

“What are we supposed to do then?!”

“We protect her.”

“Forever? Do you really wanna live like this? Constantly looking over your shoulder, waiting for him to snatch her away from you?”

“If you run with her, your life looks pretty much the same way, man. You’ll never be free of him.”

Swallowing, he swipes a hand over his mouth, his eyes on the street behind me. “He killed Valerie right there. In broad daylight. If he—” He chokes on the words. “I can’t lose her too.”

“You won’t,” I promise him, dipping my head and squeezing his shoulders without thinking about what I’m doing. As soon as I make contact, I realize how long it’s been since I’ve done this, how long it’s been since we’ve talked without me wanting to throw my fist into his face.

“I’m taller than you now,” I blurt out.

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