Page 148 of Cruel Steps

“So they can embarrass me?” Emerson’s body tensed.

“No. So you can embarrass them.”

“I refuse to bully others.”

“You don’t have to do anything other than be yourself. If you let me, I’ll help expose them so they can’t bully anyone else.”

“If you do that, they’ll come after you,” I said.

“I know. I’m prepared.”

“Even if they leak the stuff about our childhood?”

“Even then, I’m not going to hide. Which is why I wanted you to know I’d do this even if I was returning. Hayward isn’t the place for me anymore. There’s too much toxicity there. I want a fresh start somewhere, a place where no one knows Hope Adler.”

I studied my sister. She held her head up, the resolve strong in her gaze. I believed her. Despite its appearance, she hadn’t maliciously set out to hurt Emerson this time. I peered down at my girl.

“I think you should do it, Wildcat.”

“You’re joking, right?”

“Nope. We can be crowned together.”

“Wait. You’re up for Homecoming King?”

I shrugged. “I have been the past two years, so I assume I’ll be up again this year.”

“He is,” Hope said. “He’s also being modest. He won the past two years, too.”

“Why am I not surprised?” Emerson laughed.

“Be my queen, Wildcat.”

Emerson sucked in a breath, biting her lip as her eyes bore into mine. “Will Colter be there?”

“Not on the court,” came from the bathroom, and we all jumped.

“Holy shit! Announce yourself!” Hope shouted.

Colter chuckled, strolling into the room now that he’d revealed himself. He took the spot next to me and pulled Emerson’s legs into his lap. He still had dark circles under his eyes, but looked a little better.

“How much did you hear?”

Colter yawned. “Around the part where people think Mer set me on fire. So enough. Hol’s right, Mer. You should run. We can take stupid dance photos and dress up. It’s the last one for Hol and me.”

The reality of college ending didn’t excite me as it usually did. Not seeing Wildcat every day would be tough.

“Ugh, fine. I’ll go, but I won’t be happy about it.” She pouted, but I caught the gleam in her eyes.

“What do you need us to do, Hope?”

“Nothing. I know someone who can help me expose them. I’ll let you know what I hear.” She stood, and Colter moved to help her, but she waved him off. “I got it.” Once she was steady on her feet, she hesitated. “Thank you for listening. You didn’t have to give me a chance, but I’m glad you did.”

Emerson nodded. “I’ll be honest. When I heard them talking, I thought you’d hoodwinked me again.”

“That’s fair. I know words don’t have any meaning without action, so I’m trying to do better—to show that I don’t want to be that person anymore.”

“I look forward to getting to know this version.”

---