Page 34 of Left in the Dark

My actions at the bonfire were reprehensible, but I had no choice. It was all part of the diabolical plan my father had set into motion earlier.

I hated appearing as though I was on board with his plan, but after he’d beaten my mother the way he had, what choice did I have?

Pushing the thoughts away, I sit there, my stomach coiled from anxiety, until the bell rings, signaling I need to get to homeroom.

With dread filling me, I exit the restroom, shuffling down the hallway like rocks are weighing my body down. Depression settles over me as I blink back tears yet again.

What if Zayne doesn’t want anything to do with me?

CHAPTER 23

Zayne

It’s been four days since I last set foot on the campus of Green Haven. I don’t miss that pretentious place, nor anyone in it, one fucking bit.

That’s a lie. I still miss Delaney.

Despite all my rage, I ache for her, even though I shouldn’t.

My jaw clenches as my heart hardens.If she cared, why hasn’t she reached out to you?

A long sigh escapes me as my gaze drifts to the window. My broken heart had me in abject misery all weekend. The pain inside was worse than whatever struck me in the fucking back.

Face it, Zayne. No matter how much you thought her eyes pleaded with you, the fact remains that she left you broken and in misery, never once looking back as she walked away. And if there were a reason for her behavior, she would’ve reached out by now.

My hands clench into fists as I grab my phone.I was so fucking wrong about her. She wouldn’t have been able to walk away so easily if she cared about me.If the situation were reversed, it would’ve taken a small army to drag me away from her.

Thoughts of Daniel’s words to me outside my father’s bar roll through my mind.“We will take you down.”

I was smug, thinking he met him and his two shitty friends. But the malicious way his eyes bored into mine and the vile smile on his face when I asked who would take me down, and he responded with, “Myfamily,” now has me wondering.

Has this all been an elaborate plan to destroy me? Has Delaney been part of it all along?

I jerk awake,the memory of Delaney’s lips on mine fading as the dream dissipates. My heart stutters inside my chest, my breathing ragged.

You need to get over her before she kills you.

I wince, searching for my phone. When I was angry as hell earlier, I threw it.Where did the damn thing go?

Climbing out of the bed,I stand on shaky legs, my back protesting the movement. My gaze searches the room, finally spotting it in the corner.

I hobble on unsteady legs, stoop down, and grab it. When I lift it, I spot a text message from “Unknown.”

Slowly returning to my feet, I open the message, disbelief turning to rage. My brows lift in surprise.Is Delaney fucking joking?

She leaves me, injured and heartbroken, waltzing off with the skinny prick that I’d like to pound into the sand and ghosts me all weekend. Now she’s texting me from a new number, saying she needs to talk to me?Fuck that.

I don’t know what the hell kind of fool she thinks I am, but I’m not walking into another trap that includes her jackass “boyfriend,” his best friend, and her brother jumping me with another bat or whatever the fuck Tim hit me with Saturday.

Fuck Delaney and her stupid mind games. I’m over it.

I toss my phone on the nightstand, then exit my bedroom in search of some food.

“How are you feeling, sweetie?”My mom stands on her tiptoes, her lips pressing against my cheek.

“Just fine, shortie.” I ruffle her hair, giving her a smile despite the pain coursing through me. “Got any food I can eat?”

“Course. Have a seat at the table.” She moves to the fridge and begins gathering ingredients. “Chicken breast and potatoes sound good?”

---