Page 27 of Shadow and Skulls

This makes me chuckle. “You would think.”

“So, cheerleading and Jason were a few of those plates?”

I nod. “I’ll talk to you about it. I will. I just need to make sense of it all first.”

“Am I going to have to pay that kid a visit?” he asks, concern pulling at his brows.

There’s no way I would ever risk Big Dan getting in trouble for me. I don’t want anyone to get hurt because I stupidly trusted the wrong boy.

“He just isn’t who I thought he was.”

A thump upstairs makes us both look at the ceiling. We laugh when mom mutters, “Gosh darn it.”

“Go on.” I stand, grabbing both of our now empty bowls. “You better get up there before she breaks out the real curse words.”

“We’ll talk more when I get back. That will give you a little more time to process.”

He helps me finish cleaning the kitchen, then together we make our way upstairs. The hug he gives me when we say goodnight temporarily sets everything right in the world.

As I’m closing my door, I see him pick up my mom and toss her gently to their bed. She bounces a few times, sending the nicely folded clothes she had laid out for him to the floor.

“Dan,” she scolds, but it quickly turns to a giggle when he jumps on the bed beside her.

Quietly I close my door, standing alone in the dark. I imagine Tank manhandling me the same way.

My stomach tightens, and I’m not sure if it’s out of dread, nervousness, or excitement. All I know is that it feels different than anything I’ve ever experienced.

Chapter Seven

Kelsie

Imanage to make it to school. Everyone has stayed clear of me, probably because I’ve kept my eyes lowered the entire day.

Until now.

The bruise on Jason’s face is the first thing I notice, and when my gaze meets his, I think I see the boy I once knew. He looks almost remorseful.

It doesn’t last though, because Matt and his posse walk in.

“Look at them making starry eyes at each other. Jason must have enjoyed that beat down her new man gave him. You fuckers missed a hell of a show last night.”

Jason’s jaw clenches, his mouth turning up in a disgusted scowl. “Kelsie here is a pro. She’s definitely worth the beating I took. You guys should give her a try sometime.”

My stomach falls as if he just pushed me off a building. My eyes instantly drop to the floor when everyone in the room laughs.

“No thanks. That dude is fucking crazy. There isn’t a pussy in the world worth a knife to the jugular,” one of his friends joke.

Matt taps my boot with his stark white basketball shoe. “Oh, I don’t know. I mean, I’ve never had a pussy worth that price, but maybe Jason is on to something. This one here ...”

Tap. Tap.

Tap. Tap.

The bad feeling begins to creep over me like a shadow you can’t escape as a cloud passes over, blocking out the sun entirely.

“You’re such an asshole.” Lexi’s voice breaks the silence.

Instantly, the tapping on my foot stops. He shifts in his chair, diverting his attention to her. “Oh yeah? But you love this asshole. Don’t you, Lexi?”

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