Page 24 of Tulips and Lost Time

“Luc—”

“He demanded you stay home tonight and study while your best friends went out to party.” I stalk forward another step. “You’re protected. Which makes you a sweeter prize.”

“You mean, like, compared to Sassy St Slut? She’s offering it up every day, which makes her prize not all that coveted.”

“Bear—”

“Then we consider Britt and the twins,” she continues, despite the way my eyes narrow. “Their brother isn’t a complete, over-protective, suffocating blanket psycho. Which makes them a little more accessible. But they’re still classy and selective with whom they spend their time. So although they appear a little more…” she considers, then settles on, “available, they’re not, actually.”

“And then there’s you,” I grit out, taking another step closer. “Like the Mona Lisa.”

“So you’re saying guys are gonna try to be near me, purely because they’re not supposed to be?”

“Yes.” The music changes outside the tree’s branches. Marcus’ bass disappearing from the air. The difference, like a red-hot fire poker branded against my chest. “They’re gonna try to take something from you, Bear. They’re not gonna be around because they like your personality.”

“Oh, well…” She throws a hand up in frustration. “Great. That surely rebuilds my confidence.”

“This isn’t about you! This has nothing to do with who you are or the fun qualities you might bring to a relationship. This isn’t about the fact you’re getting really fucking pretty. Or smart. Or that you have a nasty right hook.”

In response, she looks down at her hand and flexes her fingers.

“This is about conquering something no one else has.”

“That is absolutely disgusting.”

“Yep,” I quip. “It is. Boys are disgusting. But seeing how Marcus is never gonna tell you this shit, I figure, as his best friend, it’s on me. If it’s not Beaterman, it’s gonna be someone else. The whole fucking team probably talks about you. And I bet my left nut they’re gonna be tripping over themselves to invite you to prom when the time comes. Guys are gonna say and do whatever you need to hear, Bear, just to get you to trust them. And by the time they have you in the dark, hiding under a weeping willow, and your fucking spaghetti strap coming down, it’s all over.”

“So you’re saying my free will is a non-consideration in all this? What I want doesn’t matter?”

“Not to the wrong guy, it won’t! Some dudes are out here, and they’re gonna take what they want, whether you’re offering or not. It’s best you stop assuming every guy is protective of you the way Marcus is. You’re lunch, Macchio, and they’re hungry.”

“You’re a pig.” She stalks forward and slams her hand to my chest as she passes. Bursting through the tree’s overhanging branches, she emerges outside. Right where Marcus will see if she’s not careful. “Seems only a guy with bad intentions would know what other guys with bad intentions are thinking.”

“I don’t need to take, Bear!” I follow her through the tree’s curtain. “Not when Sassy is offering it up every damn time I blink. Stay the hell away from Beaterman!” I call at her back. “Grow a brain and scrounge up a little common sense. He wasn’t coming out here to color rainbows with you.” I look at the twins and jerk a finger to the right. “Pack your shit up and go home. All of you. The party’s over.”

“Aww man.” Jess drops her gaze and kicks rocks as Kari wanders closer. “We were behaving.”

“And now it’s done.” I stomp closer to the group, brushing past so only a hairs breadth separates me and Kari fucking Macchio. “Stick together. Call X if you have to. But you go straight home and don’t stay in the street.” I meet Laine’s stare. “Understood?”

“Straight home.” She rolls her eyes. “Fine.”

“Promise?”

She drops her chin in agreement. “Yeah. Come on.” She takes Jess’ hand, who takes Britt’s, who swings around and grabs on to Kari’s. They create a chain of little, angry girls who will bitch and moan about me the whole way home.

They’ll marvel at the fact that I’m supposed to be the cool older brother. But tonight, I became their warden.

That’s not my role, dammit. But when X isn’t here, and I’m keeping Marcus deliberately in the dark, my options become severely limited.

And considering I’ve been gone from the stage for an easy five minutes already—maybe even ten—I know I’m on the clock. I watch the girls disappear into the dark, the lion’s den. But I can’t follow them home. I can’t leave the lake and not expect shit to go bad when I get back.

So I trust them to stick together. I trust my sisters to steer the ship and keep everyone safe. And when they’re out of my sight, I spin on my heels and dash toward the stage before Marcus comes looking for me.

6

LUC

REVENGE IS OFTEN COLD AND UNCALLED FOR

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