Page 6 of Finding Delaware

No, I’m trying to get away fromyou.

“Huck’s an asshole,” I scoff, going to my bed where Lasagna knocked over my books, quickly stuffing my copies ofEnder’s GameandI, Robotinto the bag. “We’re enemies.”

He takes a long pull off his bottle. “But you didn’t always feel that way, did ya?”

Memories invade my brain, images and feelings from a day three years ago that I’ve done my damndest to bury deep, and I bite down on my tongue so hard it bleeds.

“Let’s sneak under the bleachers, Tay.”

“Hell, no. I heard they found a cougar under there last week.”

“Aw, are you scared? Need me to hold your hand?”

Suddenly, my father is in my face again, snarling with contempt. “Remember who owns your bike, boy. Don’t forget.”

How the fuck can I when the name of his mechanic shop is plastered all over the side of my helmet? When he constantly reminds me every day that his shop sponsors me, which I desperately need in order to enter the amateur races hosted by the motorsports park? When the ticket to my fuckingfreedom—a two-year scholarship to the University of Utah—rests in the hands of me winning those damn races with that damned bike?

“You wouldn’t have racing if it weren’t for me, you little shit stain.”

“I know.” Zipping up my duffle, I shake out of his grasp and approach the door, feeling him follow close behind. The bag is too light, but it’s everything I own.

“I don’t like the idea of you living under the same roof as that faggot.”

I stop in my tracks, rage licking up my spine at his slur. I hate that fucking word. No matter how much shit I sling at Huckslee, I’d never call him that.

“Huck’s not a faggot.”

It’s a lie. I know it is. But something in me feels the need to protect his secret despite the way I constantly call him out on it. As I’ve stated, he’s mine to fuck with.

Shouldering the duffle, I cross the living room toward the door.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“I’m staying at Salem’s,” I bite out, even though I have no intention of going to my girlfriend’s house. We’re on a break because she’s dating Brad Hanagin. I’m really going to knock on Christian’s window and ask to crash on his floor, but I’d rather my father not know that. He’d just make more nasty comments about shit that isn’t true. Shit about me.

“Take the fucking cat with you,” is all he says before he disappears into his room, slamming the door.

Searching through the mess, I find the orange ball of fluff chewing on what looks like a chicken bone near the back door and scoop her up.

“Let’s go, Lasagna.” Kissing her soft head, I stuff her inside my duffle bag. “Don’t piss on my shit.”

She immediately starts purring, and I sigh heavily with a wince as I make my way toward my bike around the back of the house. Christian’s allergic, but maybe Salem’s family can care for her or something. Not like my father will do it once I’m gone.

Just one more year, I think desperately as I start my bike, waking the whole trailer park but not giving a fuck. The Bluetooth from my helmet connects to my phone, and ‘Romance is Dead’ by Parkway Drive blasts in my ears.

One more year, and I can pay off my bike and leave this hellhole for good.

Huckslee

“Smile for the camera, boys!"

The flash of a camera blinds me, and I blink rapidly to clear the dark spots in my vision, my cheeks sore from the pleasantly fake smile I’ve had plastered on my face since we pulled into the church. I really hate weddings.

“Come on, boys, smile,” comes a shrill voice to my right, doing nothing for the headache I’ve had since this morning.

I turn to grin at Maisie, my new stepmom. She looks lovely, dressed in a white satin gown that sparkles and pools at her feet, the black hair she must have given Tay curling around her shoulders. Something’s off about her, though. Something cold and withdrawn.

She has the same blue-green eyes as Taylor, which remind me of the ocean in summer, except her gaze glints with disapproval. They even share the same features—a delicate nose, and high cheekbones—but I think his lips must come fromhis dad because hers are thin, whereas his bottom lip juts out, puffy and juicy enough to bite.

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