Page 110 of Diem

Diem wipes his bloody lip and says to Ollie, “Back the fuck off.”

“No,” Ollie says and Diem pushes to his feet, kicking Matt once more for good measure.

“This is your fucking fault,” he says to Ollie before pushing past him.

Ollie’s brows drop over his eyes, but he ignores him for Matt lying on the ground. Matt groans and Ollie bends over and says so quietly I have to lean in to hear, “Fuck with my sister again and I won’t be intervening.”

With that, he stands, adjusts his shirt and walks away without looking at me. When Matt groans on the ground I meet his wide eyes before backing away as he gargles, “Mae.”

Wincing at the pained sound, I shake my head and go.

What just happened?

Chapter Twenty-Five

Maeve

The entire day is a shit show. Everyone gives me a wide berth including Landon, who mysteriously apologizes when he brushes my shoulder.

I try to catch Penny, but she evades me at every turn and later, instead of going home, I end up at the arcade across town, unwilling to speak to either of my parents.

Penny’s distance hurts me in a way I can’t define and the sounds of people laughing and playing games, being fucking normal makes me dizzy as I tap out a text to her.

Look, I get why you’re doing this, but you could have told me the truth

Bubbles form on the screen and I rub my aching neck while I wait for her response. At least she’s willing to communicate via the phone, a boon although I’m frustrated that she wasn’t willing to speak to me face to face.

Penny: Tell you what? As if you would have believed me

Maeve: Believed what? That you think my dad is a killer or is it my brother?

Penny: Deny it all you want but your piece of shit daddy was fucking my sister…now she’s dead…coincidence much?

Shaking my head, I look up when someone shouts, watching absently as the dude wraps his arms around his girl and spins her around. My heart clenches at the sight and I turn away, typing out another message.

As sucky as it is, I can’t deny my dad was sleeping with my best friend but my brother isn’t a killer Penny

Penny: You’d have said the same thing a month ago about your dad

Penny: Here see for yourself

After that, I’m barraged by a series of forwarded messages and with a heavy heart, I exit the building. It’s too fucking loud in here and I can’t concentrate.

Leaning against my car, I read through the exchanges, my heart thundering at the familiar phrases.

Dr. Love: You’re in too deep, don’t be stupid

Dixieletta: You need to back off, I’m handling it

Dr. Love:Handling it? You don’t know shit, D. If you don’t stop you’re going to fucking regret

Dixieletta: Regret what? You psycho.

Dr. Love:Just leave it alone

Dr. Love:You won’t like what happens if you don’t

Although I’ve seen the same damn insults in texts to me, it doesn’t prove this is Ollie. Besides, he hates Dad. They fight constantly. Why would he participate in a murder with him?

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