Page 16 of Her Bully

If I didn’t know better, I’d think he’s jealous.

“You are well aware Britney isn’t welcome in this house after… Well, it’s not polite conversation for the breakfast table or any table,” Helen says.

I can’t help but wonder what she did to be banned. Although considering how Kyson can’t keep his hands to himself, I don’t need to wonder too hard.

“I need to get to the school. Do you want to ride with me?” Uncle John offers.

“Thanks, but Lauren is supposed to pick me up.”

“Okay then. Glad you’re already making friends. Helen works a middle shift tonight, and I have a meet with my bowling team. Kyson and you will have to fend for yourselves again tonight, I’m afraid. Just don’t stay out past eleven.” He kisses his wife, grabs his briefcase, and is out the door.

“We make it a point to do breakfast since we rarely see each other for dinner, but I promise this weekend I’ll be making up some stuff for the freezer and all you guys will have to do is pop it in the oven next week.”

“Sounds good. I meant to ask Uncle John, but do you think he’ll be able to take me to look for a car soon? I’d like to be able to drive myself as soon as possible.” I don’t have enough saved for something yet, but they can access the money in my trust once the insurance pays out.

“Of course. I’ll remind him. We can go one Sunday. That’s usually one of my days off.”

“Great.” My phone chimes with a text from Lauren. I glance at her message that says she’s out front. “My ride’s here. See you later.” I push my chair back and Kyson moves his hand quickly, rushing to grab his keys, then follows me outside.

I wave to Lauren and go to get in her car when Kyson jogs to catch up and closes the door as I try to open it.

“Hey. Uh, rude much?”

“You ride with me. Told you I want everyone to see you’re with me now.” He flashes me those irresistible dimples with a smile that reaches all the way to his gorgeous blue eyes.

“And I told you I’m not with you. I’m riding with Lauren.”

“Get in that car and I’ll tell everyone that you crawled into my bed last night and gave me a blowjob.”

“Your threats don’t scare me.”

“You think I’m playing? I’ll show them proof and send it to your little boyfriend, Matt, too.”

“What? That’s crazy.”

“It’s amazing what you can do with technology.” He holds up his phone, and he has an altered photo that looks like us engaged in a sexual act.

“You’re a psycho. Anyone can see that it’s AI generated.”

“Are you willing to chance it? I always get what I want.”

“Hey,” Lauren calls out, cracking the window. “Are you coming or what?”

“Go on. I’ll see you at lunch.” I scowl at Kyson and stomp toward his car. Don’t even know why I’m feeding into whatever game he’s playing. It’s not like people would believe him. Matt would think he’s a liar because I never… we never took things that far when we were together. We may be in a weird place, but I’d never ever want to hurt him like that. It was nothing more than a stupid kiss. I should call his bluff. Only I don’t think he’s messing around. He’s the type who’d send it for the hell of it.

Consequences be damned.

Chapter Six

If Kyson drives to school any slower, he’s going to receive a ticket for driving under the speed limit. I swear he’s doing this to torture me for pure sport. He gets off on getting any kind of rise out of me. If I didn’t detest my mother so freaking much, I’d almost be tempted to track her down and beg her to take me in. Anything to escape this slow suffocation of being trapped alone in this car with my tormentor.

“You should stay away from Lauren.”

“Why?”

“Being seen with her is social suicide. Chick is weird.”

“She’s nice.”

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