Page 60 of Scorching Lies

Ally shoves West to the side, bumping chests with Cole.

“What the hell is your problem?” She demands.

Her tiny hand smacks him across the face. Cole’s pupils blow wide, looking hungry and wild. He bares his teeth before his hand lashes out. Dragging her forward by her throat, people start to give us space, the onlookers are openly staring at this point. He pulls her so close, they’re nose to nose. Her body begins to visibly tense from the lack of oxygen, right before she passes out he crashes his mouth down on hers in a brutal kiss.

“Does my girl like watching?” Ryker whispers in my ear.

Tilting my head to the side I don’t respond. West nods his head at Ryker before rushing off to toss a cheerleader over his shoulder. Heading to the team's dugout he disappears behind the wall. Scoffing, I spin in Rykers hold.

“He pushed Cole on purpose.” I state.

It’s not a question, but an observation. West knew that Cole would stake his claim on Ally, but he wanted him to. He knew that his brother had a thing for the girl he was fucking. My nose scrunches up at that thought.

"It’s more complicated than that.” Ryker says, reading my thoughts.

Shrugging, I make a move to step out of his hold, but he tightens his arms around me.

“Excuse me. Are you Kenna Kingston?” A soft voice says from my right.

We both look at the same time to see a meek little girl holding an item behind her back. Smiling, I lower down to height, forcing Ryker to loosen his hold. I smile at the girl, ignoring the rumble coming from his chest. .

“I sure am.”

Bouncing in place she pulls a box from behind her back.

“I have to give this to you. It’s a surprise.”

Placing a small brown box in my hand, my stomach plummets. There around the square cardboard is a red bow. Matching all the others that I still have in my room. Swallowing, I try to push back the feeling of being watched.

“Thank you.” I murmur.

I know she barely heard me when her eyes fall to my lips to see the words form on my lips., I stand abruptly, turning and leaving the young girl there to fend for herself. I don’t have it in me to make sure she’s okay or that she gets back to her family. I can’t feel my fingers. My head swims with warning. This one feels different than the rest. Hands grab me, but my body fights them off on instinct. Sucking in a deep breath, my chest heaves through each one.

“Kens.” Ally’s voice breaks through the noise.

Snapping my head to the side, I see three sets of eyes watching me with different expressions. Ally’s hazel eyes peer at me with confusion and worry, while Ryker’s caramel brown ones reflect aggression. Cole stares blankly at me with indifference that chills me to the bone.

“Who is that from?” Ally ask.

Ryker steps closer, so close we inhale the same. Shaking it off, I force out a laugh through my weak smile.

“It’s just a secret admirer that I’ve had for a while.”

I can feel the piercing gaze coming from Ryker. Ignoring him, I grab Ally’s hand in fake excitement.

“Are you ready for the Gala?” I gush.

Ally squeals out her delight and that seems to have Cole and Ryker backing away. I know it won’t keep Ryker off my back for long, but I’m okay with the immediate space he offers. Cole and Ryker keep tossing looks over their shoulders while we all head towards our cars. He hasn’t said it yet, but Ryker is starting to blur the lines of hate and its sending mixed signals that I can’t seem to read.

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX

KENNA

The past two days have been a blur of school, exams, and preparing myself for my appointment with Jax tonight. My hands begin to shake every time I think of going into the shop, only to find that Jax isn’t there. He’s always there. I haven’t heard from him and that has my heart pinching at the thought. Images flood my head of possible reasons he hasn’t returned my calls or text. The only reason I haven’t been by the shop is because I’ve let myself drift too far behind in school.

Rolling over, my stare floats to the ceiling. Taking a deep breath, my nose fills with the scent of Lilies as their aroma floats around me. Clenching my legs together, I try to push those thoughts of Ryker from my head. Instead I allow another memory to consume me.

My alarm starts to go off, reminding me that my first class of the day starts in an hour. Rolling off the bed, with little to no enthusiasm for the day, I make my way to the bathroom for my morning shower. Taking out a big fluffy white towel I set it on the rack. My fingers close over the cold metal handle to turn onthe water. I let it heat up while I make sure the door is locked, and my phone still rests on the counter.

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