Page 14 of Left in the Dark

“Hey, guys. Need me to do anything else?” Ian approaches, giving us a small smile. He looks tired, just like we are.

“No. Go home.” I reach out a hand, and Ian shakes it. “Thanks for covering for me when I left early.”

“No worries, Zayne. It’s cool. I’ll see you in school on Monday.”

“See you Monday.”

After he leaves, I inquire about Zachary. My dad releases a long sigh as we continue working to clean up the bar, telling me about the rehab facility and what will happen next. I shake my head, anger and sadness warring inside me. I remember how close my brother and I used to be. That changed when we movedhere. He started middle school and began hanging around some punk kids.

Over the years, it’s gotten worse, and smoking cigarettes and drinking has escalated to doing drugs. He’s in the ninth grade—again—because he failed last year.

I’d never tell my mom or dad this, but I’m beginning to worry that he’s a lost cause. I fear that one of these days, he’s going to overdose, and we won’t be able to save him.

If I find out who’s selling him and his punk ass friends illegal drugs, I’ll?—

My dad’s voice pulls me from my thoughts. “Why don’t you take the trash out and leave? I’ll finish up here.”

I look around, raising my brows at my dad. “Are you sure?”

He nods. “Go home and get some sleep.” He winks at me. “Or text the hot brunette you think I don’t know you’re madly in love with and stay up half the night like you usually do. Your choice.”

I chuckle. “You’re a smart man, dad.”

“The smartest. Although, be very damn careful sneaking around with the DA’s daughter. People in this town are cruel, especially men like her father.”

I nod, grabbing the trash bags and slinging them over my shoulders as I head out the back door. “Fucking Dick Warner,” I mutter to myself. There’s something about that man that rubs me the wrong way.

Once outside, I suck in a breath of warm air. It reminds me that prom is next weekend, and graduation follows in three weeks.

Setting the garbage bags down, I open the dumpster lid.Where will Delaney decide to go to college?

I’ve asked her what college she plans to attend. She’s been accepted into three of the four schools I’ve been accepted to. The only reason she wasn’t admitted to the fourth school is because it’s on the West Coast, and Delaney seems reluctant to leave theEast Coast. I have no idea why. When I press the issue, she gets a funny look and says she doesn’t want to be that far away from her mom.

I hear the crunch of footsteps behind me before something hard slams against my back. I groan, falling against the dumpster. It hits me again, and I lose my grip, falling onto the ground.

“Not so tough now, are you?”

I roll over, seeing the bat seconds before it slams against my kneecaps. I groan, my vision hazy. Blinking, I see the three guys looming over me, wearing ski masks, black hoodies, and black jeans.

I close my eyes, pain washing over me. I recognize the voice of the asshole taunting me.Fucking Tim Edwards.

“Stay the fuck away from my girl.” He hits me with the bat again, this time in the stomach. I roll onto my side, holding my abs, trying to breathe through the pain.

“That’s what this is about?” I choke out, trying not to show how much pain I’m in. “Delaney doesn’t want you.” I stare up at him, victory glimmering in my eyes. “She wants me.”

He raises the bat overhead, about to slam it down again. I slam my boot out, kicking him hard enough in the shins that he topples onto his friends.

“Get the fuck off my property.” My dad screams as he storms toward us, cell phone in hand. “I’m calling the cops.”

Without a word, the three of them scramble away, running toward the woods.

My dad squats down, checking over my injuries. “You okay, son?”

“Yeah. Getting hit with a bat hurts.”

My dad helps me up. “I’m reporting those little shits. Any idea who they are?”

“I recognized Tim’s voice. I’m sure it was Aidan and Daniel with him.”

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