Page 116 of Vicious Sentiments

“You’re supposed to at least have some sort of up standing reputation.”

“Reputation?” Cape swings the door shut and cocks his head.

He’s calm for the moment, but I worry that’s not going to last long. He raises a brow in amusement and Dillon turns on him.

“We live here under the guise that we’re just a normal family but what are the neighbors going to think about an underage girl living with the two of you?”

“I don’t give a fuck what the neighbors think,” Cape says.

“She’s not underage anymore,” Julian supplies, rubbing his temples and seeming over the conversation.

“Did he really come over here to give us a lecture on how we live our life?” Cape gives a pointed look to Julian, crossing his arm over his chest.

How are we still on this? Iameighteen and it’s not like I’m going to go knock on the doors of the neighbors and introduce myself. Why does he even care anyways?

“Why isn’t she answering?!” Dillon jams his finger at his phone.

“Maybe because it’s almost midnight,” Julian mumbles.

I guess the clock is wrong and I slept longer than I thought.

“You have to stop this shit, Dillon.” Julian tries to put a hand over the phone in his hand.

Dillon rips his hand back erratically, and Julian puts his hands up. “Come on, man. We’re brothers.”

“You haven’t been listening to me.” Cape lunges at Dillon and plucks the phone from his hands. “He’s not one of us.”

“Don’t say that,” Julian’s tone is sad but he gives Cape a look likeshut up.

Dillon turns red. “Give me my fucking phone!”

“Mommy isn’t going to do shit.” Cape pockets the phone.

“Somethings wrong! She always answers!”

“It’s midnight,” Julian says again.

“She leaves her ringer on for me,” Dillon snaps at him.

Cape’s eyes narrow and he takes an intimidating step towards Dillon. “Why would she answer your calls at midnight? And before you fucking lie, don’t think I haven’t seen the holes you put in her bedroom wall.”

Dillons eyes widen.

“What holes?” Julian asks.

Cape ignores him and continues. “You want to tell me what really happened because I know the bullshit Ma spewed is just that, bullshit.”

The veins in Cape’s neck have appeared, and I take a step back, still clutching the bag he handed me.

“It was an accident.” Dillons eyes flick to me.

If he thinks I said anything, then he’s mistaken and the only thing he’s done by looking at me is throw me under the bus. I was listening to Margo and trying to keep the peace but I guess it doesn’t matter because he just keeps causing drama.

“Hailey?” Julian looks at me, and I bite my lip.

“Margo said that I shouldn’t mention it to you guys.” I wring my hands through the loops of the bag.

“Shouldn’t mention what?” Cape asks.

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