Page 109 of Diem

At the top, I stop up short because Mom is standing in the shadows. Her cool gaze meets mine before she steps away, and I pass her.

At the threshold to my room, I look back, but she’s gone. How long has she known?

∞∞∞

I wake to a pounding headache and wonder how Penny’s head is treating her. But when I text to check in, I get no response.

Was she using me to get to my dad? Then why all the weird shit about Dixie messaging someone else? And how does Ollie fit in? I thought Dr. Love was Kenny? Shit…I’m so confused.

Either way, Penny’s actions are dangerous. She was hit over the damn head…and the figure that disappeared into the darkness last night. Was that who I think it was? But why?

I can’t wrap my brain around it.

At the end of the day though, Dixie is gone, and I can’t blame Penny for trying to seek justice, even if it’s completely misguided and foolhardy as hell.

Besides, whatever happened in those woods was real. Unless my dad joined some weird ass club that I’ve never heard of, there’s still someone out there gunning for me.

Is Frank a hunter? Is he part of this club? Does my dad know?

Does anything make fucking sense anymore?

As for Diem, if my suspicions are correct, Ollie warned him off. It’s the only thing that makes sense. I’m not saying he didn’t fuck me for fun or even for a bet, and this doesn’t mean he had to be a complete ass but at least now I have a reason.

What do I do about it though?

∞∞∞

Unfortunately, on Monday, Matt corners me as soon as I step from my car and I’m not in the mood, but I know I owe him an explanation.

“Where have you been?” he demands.

“Around. Look, Matt I’m sorry but there’s shit going on…” I trail off because I can’t believe my eyes when none other than Penny stalks past me.

Since when is she back in school? And why? We’ve got just a few weeks left.

This must be about Ollie and my dad which leaves me both unsettled and completely freaked out. Wasn’t the hit on her head enough? Or maybe she’s suffering brain damage. That must be it because otherwise she’s a damn fool.

I go to turn away, but Matt grabs my arm. “Mae—“

“Not now, Matt.”

“Yes now. I deserve a damn explanation,” he barks, and I eye him warily.

This is the Matt I saw at the Point. His dark eyes glare at me beneath angry brows and when he tightens his hold around my arm, I whisper, “You’re hurting me.”

“You think you can play me, Mae?”

“What? No—“

I’m mid-sentence when Matt falls to his ass and Diem appears behind him. Blinking, I glance down dumbly, while Diem grabs Matt by the hair and leans into his face. “Touch her again and I’ll fucking kill you.”

Shit. With a wince, I step forward, but time seems to freeze when Matt sneers, “Too late. I guess I like sloppy seconds after all. Why didn’t you tell me her pussy was so tight?”

I don’t know what to focus on first. The implication that Diem spoke to Matt about me, as sloppy seconds no less. Or the fact that Matt has joined in, his cruel words unexpected.

Diem’s fist is flying before I have time to decide and Matt falls back. After that, it’s a melee and I can’t figure out which body part goes where, while Diem pounds Matt into the ground.

I’m seriously considering calling for help, even my dad at that when finally, Ollie appears grabbing Diem up before tossing him to his back.

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