Page 56 of Survival

Oh, holy fuck, no.

I immediately slid Izzy off my lap, tucking her behind me as Micah and Ryder walked up.

“No. Fucking no. Either y’all go, or we do.” I growled, my eyes narrowing. I stood to my full height and crossed my arms over my chest, blocking Izzy from their view, and Jet came up to flank my side, taking the same stance.

Micah stopped and held a hand out in front of Ryder. “Look, we know we messed up. We’re just trying—”

“I don’t give a fuck what you’re trying to do. Y’all took it too far. We’re done. And the fact that y’all even thought toattemptto talk to me with Izzy here just tells me how screwed up y’all are. Do y’all even get how fucked up what y’all did to herwas?”

I felt her hands press against my back, her fingers shaking, her fear just fueling my anger.

Ryder’s gaze narrowed into a glare. “At least, fucking hear what we have to say.”

“No. I repeat again. Y’all go, or we do.”

“When did you get so fucked up, picking a chick over your own family?” Ryder grated, and Micah shot his brother a look. I felt Jet shift, ready to hold me back. But I held my ground, forcing a deep breath. Tonight had been too perfect with Izzy to fuck it up by fighting now.

“Come on, princess.” I slid my hand around my back to gently grab her arm and guided her around to the front of my truck. “We’ll see y’all later,” I called out to our friends, helping Izzy climb up before I got behind the wheel.

It was me who was shaking this time, every fiber of my being on fire, alert and ready to defend. But I couldn’t. Not if I didn’t want to ruin tonight. My hands white-knuckled the wheel, and my jaw ground together. So much fury was rolling through me. I didn’t know how to contain it. Even now, after everything we’d been through, Izzy and I still couldn’t get a break. The one night I’d had a glimpse of her back, of course, something had to fuck it up.

We were down a back road leaving Outer Ridge, the races well behind us, when I felt Izzy’s soft hand come to rest on my arm. “I’m okay, whiskey. Breathe.”

I closed my eyes as she held her hand there, the calm in her touch bringing me back from the edge, and I looked over to meet her gaze, her clear emerald depths staring back at me with such worry and compassion.

My breath released in a gush, and I took her hand, holding it firm in mine on the seat between us. “I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t be.” She shook her head. “I’m just so proud of you. I know it was hard to walk away. Thank you.”

I just squeezed her hand, needing her as my anchor as we drove the rest of the way home.

ISABEL

Tucker was still tense when we got home, though he was far from the knotted rage he’d been before. He followed me up the stairs, and we took turns getting showered and ready for bed in the Jack and Jill bathroom that connected our room to Archer’s.

A dull ache struck my chest as I curled under the covers to wait for him to come out, hating that my little brother could no longer stay here. Annie and I had not been in any state to care for him when Mom… and well, him staying in his own room at Tucker’s with a stable family had been the best thing.

But God, did I miss him. I missed so much of my old life.

I pushed those thoughts away, though. They didn’t have any place here tonight in this room. Today was a turning point. I could feel it. Tucker signing his NLI and the pure joy that had radiated off of him? It had been infectious, and it had felt like a new start. Like our lives were finally coming back together in a way that we wanted. Even if I didn’t get into Baste Academy, the four of us would be together. Something would feel complete again.

A happy bubble built up in my chest. Even Lisa hadn’t been able to ruin it today, though she’d definitely tried.

I’d just grabbed my books after fifth period when my locker slammed shut in my face. My head jerked back as I blinked, startled, and Lisa sneered at me. For once, Larissa and Phoenix were nowhere in sight.

“You’re just going to hold him back. Stop ruining his life and set him free.”

My brow furrowed as I looked at her like she was crazy. “What are you talking about now?” I was so overthe rumors and drama she’d started about us this year. Who knew whatthiswas about.

She rolled her eyes and thrust a hand onto her hip. “Tucker. He just signed for Ridgeside U, right? It’s all over school already. He’sgoingplaces, Izzy, and you’re still a fucked up mess. You can’t give him what he needs. You don’t even let himtouchyou from what I’ve heard, and you even refused his ring. Why the fuck are you even holding onto him? Let him go before you fucking ruin his future even more.”

My stomach knotted, but instead of cringing or backing away like I’d always done in the past, it was like a fire ignited in my gut to encompass my entire body. I was sick of this girl thinking she knew what Tucker wanted. Thinking she knewus. She knew nothing. And he wasmine.

I ran my hand back through my hair and lifted my chin up high, staring her down. “I don’t carewhatyou think, Lisa. Tucker ismine.His heart, his body, everything. Just like every piece of me belongs to him, and if you think I’d ever do anything toruinhim, then you’re just fucking crazy.” I laughed. “You’re delusional, anyway, with how long you’ve held onto the hope that he’ll ever want you. I repeat. He. Is. Mine. So, leave us alone and back the fuck off. Oh, and trust me. He gets what he needs.”

“Bitch,” she hissed when I spun away, but I flipped her off over my shoulder like I was some other person.

Holy mess, had it been exhilarating. Between Tucker’s good mood and securing his scholarship and putting Lisa in her place, I felt like I was flying. The only part that was the damper was the end. Because I was pretty certain Tuckerdidn’tget what he needed.

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