Page 133 of Come Break My Heart Again

Cruz continues into the huge house. Phoenix, Zane, and I head back to the car.

Phoenix says nothing. He’s either mad or resigned to the direction this night has taken. Zane sticks with silence too.

I stare into space, glancing toward the house every few minutes and hoping Cormac will appear. If Cruz doesn’t come out with him, I’ll have no choice but to go inside myself.

Twenty-five minutes later, Cruz walks outside. I exhale, relieved, when I see Cormac is right behind him.

“Thanks,” I tell Cruz.

He nods once before opening the car door.

I squeeze Cormac’s shoulder before he climbs into the middle. His eyes are wide—from excitement or apprehension or maybe both.

Loud rap music shakes the car the whole drive back to our part of town. No one talks. Phoenix fiddles with his phone.

When Cruz stops in front of my trailer, Phoenix climbs out with me and Cormac. Cruz takes off without waiting for his brother.

“Head in,” I tell Cormac. “I’ll be right inside.”

He’s remorseful enough to do it without arguing—for once.

As soon as the trailer door bangs shut behind him, I glance at Nix. “What is it?”

“You caused a lot of problems tonight. We did you a favor, giving you a ride, and all you did was fuck shit up.”

“And?”

“We’re square, Ryder. Hathaway had it coming.”

I relax.

“You and I are square, I mean. Cruz … he holds grudges.”

“He sold,” I say.

“Not as much as he would have if all three of us had gone in. And if Hathaway decides to follow through on any threats …”

“He can sell elsewhere.”

“This is the richest town in the state,” Nix tells me. “It’s why we moved here. How Cruz keeps the guys he works for happy.”

“So …”

“So, you owe him a favor. Cruz has a shipment coming on Monday. He has other places to be, and I’m risking a suspension if I have any more absences at school. I just texted them your address.”

“You didwhat?”

“Relax. They’ll drop off around ten. All you have to do is hold on to it until Cruz grabs it around lunchtime. Just stay home sick and watch TV.”

My jaw works. I’m pissed—at Hathaway, for obvious reasons. At Cruz and Phoenix, for getting me involved in their shady shit. At myself, for making this mess.

“Fine.”

Nix claps my shoulder. “Awesome. Talk soon.” He starts walking toward his trailer. “Nice right hook, by the way,” he calls over one shoulder.

I stare after him, still pissed.

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