Page 20 of Ashes

“What did Sin say?” Church asked, glaring over at Sin, who had the decency to look ashamed.

“He said she lost her mind and wasn’t coming back. That she might be leaving Chapel Crest.”

“Is that all Sin said?” Church turned his fury on Sin. “Or were you too busy fucking to finish lying?”

“It was nothing,” Melanie quickly interjected. “He was upset. I sucked his cock to make him feel better.”

The words weren’t even out of her mouth before Church’s fist collided with Sin’s face. I shoved Melanie back as the two tore into one another.

“She’s fucking lying,” Sin shouted, dodging Church’s fist, but still catching a glancing blow to his shoulder. “I didn’t! I fucking didn’t!”

Church was gone, his rage taking over. He landed a punch to Sin’s ribs, causing Sin to double over, gasping for air. It didn’t take him long to recover though because he shot forward and tackled Church, taking the fight to the ground.

I grabbed Church, who’d flipped Sin onto his back after a brief scuffle, and hauled him off, throwing him to the ground away from Sin.

“Get the hell up,” I snapped at the two of them. I caught Melanie smirking before she rushed away.

Both men climbed to their feet, chests heaving.

“Specter isourgirl. You don’t go fucking or getting your cock sucked by anyone else. You know our rules—” Church seethed.

“I didn’t, dickhead!” Sin snapped back. “Yeah, I saw Melanie, but nothing happened between us. She asked if I’d talk to you about her coming back. I told her I wasn’t fucking interested. She got on her knees, but I pushed her away, and she got pissed. I didn’t. . . I fucking wouldn’t do what you’re accusing me. You know how much I fucking hate cheaters.”

Church slowly approached him. A cut from Sin’s ring against his cheek dribbled blood. I cautiously stepped closer to the two in case someone threw another punch.

“What did you say?” Church asked softly as they stared one another down.

I glared at the few people stupid enough to stop and gawk. They scurried away, leaving us alone.

“I said I didn’t do what she said I did.”

“No. About cheating.”

Sin licked his lips. “I said I hate cheaters.”

“You insinuated that you’re with specter without saying it,” Church’s voice was quiet.

“I-I’m not. I don’t want her.”

“Why are you like this? You know you’re fucked in your feelings over this shit, and yet you continue to deny it. Let fucking go so you can feel something besides anger,” Church said.

“So I can be broken like you three? I told you it was a bad idea. I wasn’t wrong. I don’t want to hurt the way you guys are. I-I refuse. Not after what Isabella did—”

Church fisted the front of Sin’s white uniform shirt and got in his face, his voice barely above a dangerous whisper, “That cunt is dead.We fucking put an end to her. Get. Over. IT!”

Church shoved him away.

Sin visibly swallowed. “She didn’t kill your kid. She didn’t make you love her. She just got you to fuck her.”

“You have a chance to try again with someone new. Someone better. And you’re fucking it up like you always do. Get your shit together or get fucking lost.” Church stormed past him without another word.

Sin stared after him, his eyes narrowed. He wiped at the remnants of blood trickling from his nose as he watched Church go.

“I know you care about Sirena,” I said gently to him. “It’s OK to be scared and confused.”

He was quiet for so long I didn’t think he’d say anything. When he finally spoke, it took me by surprise. “I only wanted to save you guys from this. That’s all. It’s killing me inside to see you all barely hanging on. I tried to. . . fix it. But I fucked everything up.”

I frowned. “What are you talking about? Just relax, man.”

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