Page 70 of Diem

“Explain…what?”

“Diem—“

“Explain what, Maeve?”

Ha. What am I supposed to say? That I’m worried about him, or I suspect my dad’s relationship with his jerk dad might be related to using and abusing underage girls. I wouldn't put it past Frank to do something equally as gross.

“Mae?”

“Alright, alright,” I backtrack, sucking in a breath. It’s the last thing I want to talk about but if it will keep Diem from losing his shit I’ll go there. I mean, I do want to know. Why did he turn into this cruel asshole? Why is he acting like a beast? Why?

“What?” he barks. “Because so help me god, Mae, if you’re here…I will spank your ass.”

Shivering, I ignore his provocative words and mumble, “Why? Why do you hate me? Why were you so mean…after?”

The silence is deafening before he shifts and says, “There is no why. I’m just not interested. You need to back the fuck off…”

“Right,” I sigh, “how ‘bout you get out of my fucking car so I can ‘back off’?”

“Mae—“

“No. Shouldn’t you be picking up Hailey so she can suck your dick?”

His mouth curves in a smile and he reaches out to trace my chin gently. “Jealous?”

“Of Hailey? Hardly,” I mutter, pulling away from his hand, which news flash has my clit pulsing. Unbelievable.

“Hm,” he hums.

“Are we done? It was going so well. I ignore you. You ignore me.”

“Oh sweetheart, you’re so naive,” he laughs, but it’s not with amusement, it's darker and uglier.

“Whatever.”

His eyes flicker before his mouth drops to a grim smile and he says, “Maybe I want a sweet little fuck first.”

“You’re joking, right?” I choke out. Yes, I’m human, and my body knows the pleasure he can give me but when his mouth curves into a triumphant grin, I shut down.

“Sure, baby, or maybe you could just suck my cock?” he says, and I stare at him blankly.

The affectation slides off his face and he rubs his hand over his hair before saying in a falsely cheerful tone, “No? Hm, too bad. Don’t say I never offered.”

He exits without looking back and I pull away from the curb, his mocking laughter following me all the way home.

∞∞∞

The next afternoon I text Penny, but she doesn’t answer. When I stop by her house, her mom informs me she’s out and with my heart in my throat, I walk away.

Mrs. Loughlin looks terrible, and I can’t help but feel sorry for her. I know how badly my heart hurts at the loss of Dixie. How does Mrs. Loughlin get out of bed every day?

With Penny ducking my texts, I’m left with the specter of facing Diem’s cruel words and seeming breakdown and I’d rather avoid the topic altogether. I can’t save Diem even if I wanted to, because he doesn’t want my help, not even as a friend. I have to let it go and focus on what I do have control over. Sort of.

My dad. Ugh.

I need something concrete, but all my efforts have only led to more questions. And my damn brother continues to ignore my pleas.

“Mae?”

---