Page 16 of Diem

“I don't—“ I start to say, but he squeezes my wrist and I bite back a gasp. Ouch.

“Oh, but you do. Tell the dick I’m gonna fucking kill him if he doesn't deliver my bro, hm?”

“Y-you’re bro?”

“Yeah, my man Patrick.”

With that, he pushes me, and I stumble. All the guys previously fawning over me look away, leading me to believe whoever this is, he’s not a nice guy. Great. Somehow, I’ve gotten caught up in whatever shit Diem’s been up to. The question is what, and why?

Does he mean Patrick Hughes? Patrick was a complete douche who played on the football team but inexplicably moved right after the season ended. Or did he?

He taps my cheek and I flinch away before he spins on his heel and pushes through the crowd.What now?

I’m about to hightail it out of here when he swings back toward me, and says, “Oh and Maeve?”

Shit. He remembers my name.

Nodding, I swallow when he says, “If I don't hear from him soon, I’m coming to find you.”

Holy shit.

When he finally leaves, I grab the wall and sink against it on noodly legs. What the hell do I do now?

Get the hell out of here, to start.

With panic pressing at my lungs, I lurch toward where Harriet was standing, but she’s gone now. In her place is Gwen Duschene, a girl from Park High who I heard through rumor is one of Diem’s conquests. Or is it the other way around? These girls fawn after the Sinners easily enough.

Absently, I watch her sip on her drink while I contemplate this newest turn of events. I haven't had a conversation that didn’t include Diem spewing hate at me since he broke me without so much as a backward glance. Now, this.

How serious is this guy? I mean, he may know my name but so what? I can’t deal with this shit and Diem’s business isn’t mine, not anymore, maybe not ever.

Chapter Four

Maeve

The night I thought Diem and I connected started out with a bang and I don’t mean the sex.

I stayed after class one evening to retake a test I struggled with the first time around. When I turned it in, I already knew I failed it again and it was with a burn in my chest that I headed home.

Along the way, Matt texted me and hoping to avoid the inevitable, I met him at the arcade across town instead.

In search of Matt, I wandered through the bright lights and magical sounds, spying Diem. He was exiting through a side door with none other than Patrick marching before him.

Unable to contain my curiosity, I followed them through the exit, leaning my back against the wall all creeper-like and peeking around the corner.

Although they were nowhere in sight, I could hear their voices and I inched my way down the second wall, giving a brief thought to what I was doing, which was stupid before stopping at the next corner to listen to the exchange.

“I thought I told you, fucker. Stay out of my way,” Diem growled.

“Whatever, I haven’t been back since the dance. Are we done now? Because I have a date with pussy,” Patrick said sullenly.

Gross. He was such a skeevy fucker. Thank god I didn’t go all the way with him when he approached me all smooth last year.

“Fuck off! I don’t care about your fucking plans. I’m doing the bitch a favor. If you’ve backed off, then why did I see you talking to her?” Diem spit.

Who? Who does Diem care about enough to confront a piece of shit like Patrick?

“Maybe she can’t get enough dick,” Patrick sneered before a scuffle broke out.

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