Page 30 of Vengeful Sins

As it turns out, Wren distracts me from it, anyway. “One thing is for sure: you need to get out of that house. You’re eighteen now.”

“Right, but Dad funds my entire life—which he couldn’t help reminding me.” I let out a bitter laugh. “He’ll cut me off. No school, no home, nothing. And I totally believe he will, too,” I add before she can insist no father would do that to his daughter. She should know better than that, anyway.

“Well, there’s another way. Come here, live here. There is so much room!” she explains when I wince. “And if your dad stops paying tuition… I don’t know, maybe you could talk to Tucker’s dad and work something out.”

“Right.” I smirk. “I’m sure Briggs would be super happy about that.”

“Don’t you know Briggs would do anything to make me happy? And I’m not trying to brag or anything. It’s how it is. If I tell him you need help, he’ll be glad to have you stay here. It’ll be fun.” She claps her hands a little. “Like one long sleepover. Oh, please,” she begs, like I’d be the one doing her a favor.

Could it be that easy? Does it have to be any more complicated? Maybe it’s time for me to start trusting. Maybe I need to start believing life can be better.

“Okay,” I agree, smiling when she claps again. A genuine smile, not the kind I have to consciously put on. “I’ll start getting my things together tonight while you talk to Briggs and make sure he’s cool with it.” I feel like I need to make a big deal outof that, because there’s nothing more awkward than showing up some place unexpected and uninvited.

“Don’t worry about a thing,” she urges, polishing off her sandwich. “You’ll have the biggest spare room. It’s all taken care of. Don’t worry about anything moving forward.”

Moving forward. For the first time in as long as I can remember, I almost believe it’s possible.

15

TUCKER

Mother. Fucker.

I’m halfway across the cafeteria by the time I have to pull up short, sure I must be seeing things. No way is Maya sitting at our usual table with Wren, Briggs, and even Carter. Since when? Why didn’t anybody warn me?

Then again, why would they have to? They don’t have the first fucking clue what went down with us. What’s still going down.

But she does, obviously. She has to know she’s the last person I’d want to see. The sight of her makes me recoil. Didn’t I do enough to her in her bedroom? What’s it going to take to get her out of my life forever?

Irritation prickles my skin, and a cold, sick feeling washes over me while my thoughts race. I thought she didn’t want anything to do with Wren anymore—at least, that’s how it was the last time I was with Wren at that party, before I went up to the bathroom with Tiana and made a big mistake. She was all worried and upset about Maya while snuggling with Briggs. What changed?

And why did it have to?

And why the fuck didn’t anybody tell me?

None of my questions are going to get answered when all I can do is stand here and stare like an asshole. As it is, a pair of girls walk past and giggle when they notice the way I’m stuck in place, probably with my mouth hanging open in surprise. It’s like the whole fucking universe is fucking with me. Making my life as miserable as possible.

Briggs finally manages to peel his gaze away from Wren long enough to notice me standing a few tables away with my tray in my hands. “Hey!” He lifts a hand over his head as if I don’t see him. Like I’m not standing here staring openly. “What are you waiting for?”

His question gets the attention of the rest of the people at the table, including the girl who threatened to ruin my life. She might not have come out and accused me like she said she would, but she’s been ruining my life a little bit at a time ever since. What do I have to do to get rid of her?

One thing is for damn sure. I’m not going to let her push me away from my own friends. By the time I continue crossing the cafeteria, I’m more determined, with my teeth gritted and my eyes narrowed like I’m going into battle. We’ll see which one of us belongs, and which one needs to find new friends.

Dropping into place, I slap my tray on the table hard enough to make Maya jump a little. “Did somebody’s food go bad? It stinks at this table.” Because fuck her. If she doesn’t feel like hearing what I have to say, she needs to find somewhere else to sit. What was wrong with avoiding us the way she has been? Sure, Wren probably insisted she sit with us, but she didn’t have to say yes. She knows damn well she’s not welcome.

Maya doesn’t say anything, avoiding my gaze as she picks at her salad. It’s Wren who surprises me by giving me a meaningful look full of… what is it? Disapproval? What the hell does sheknow about anything? She doesn’t, that’s the problem. She might think she does, but she doesn’t have the first clue.

Carter laughs it off before gesturing between the girls with a French fry. “Looks like our buddy Briggs is going to be way outnumbered at home now.”

“What does that mean?” At least looking at Briggs for an answer is better than having to look at that strawberry blonde bitch who doesn’t know better than to steer clear of me.

“We’re opening up one of the spare rooms for a new housemate.” He nods toward Maya while Wren puts an arm around her and squeezes.

“What?” I blurt out before I can get a hold of myself. And I thought it was bad finding her sitting at the table? “When did that happen?”

“We talked about it yesterday,” Wren explains. The way she’s talking to me kind of reminds me of the way I’ve heard Briggs talk to his little sister. Like she’s being extra patient. I’m not a fucking child. Why is she talking to me like I am?

“Maya needs a little help right now, and I’m lucky to have enough extra room to be generous.” Briggs’s eyes narrow just a little, like he’s warning me. Since when does he have any right to warn me? Like he didn’t practically invent new ways to bully Wren. I was there, and it wasn’t all that long ago. Where does he get off being self-righteous?

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