Page 19 of Diem

Of course, Hailey made sure the pictures of my bloody crotch were shared with everyone, even going so far as to nickname me Gush. Which was bandied about for years and only recently faded.

At every turn, she’s been the one holding the reins of cruelty, and I’ve cried more tears than I can count because of her.

Truthfully, back then, I probably could have told my brother or even Diem and they would have put a stop to the more overt actions of these assholes. But shame kept my mouth closed and I endured the abuse over the notion that Diem might view me as weak or maybe even agree with their sordid slurs.

Now though, Hailey continues to push the bar and I suspect Diem’s presence is the only thing keeping her from going full on bat shit. She tends to back down when he’s around. Regardless, he’s now in the background, eating up my humiliation.

Even with all of that, I still search for the boy who showed up at our door, all those years ago, skinny, and scrappy but with a perpetual smile and demeanor that screamed, nothing can tear me down.

Desperately I want him to be that boy again because that version included me in his world but now, I’m afraid all of that was an illusion. Or a lie, in which case, I’m not sure I can come back from that.

He’s standing behind Hailey and his eyes blaze as they drop down to my chest, taking in my legs encased in the tight jeans before shooting back to my boobs. I’d like to say that I’m immune, but his fiery gaze leaves a trail of tingles in his wake.

“Well, little piggy?” Hailey sneers and the rage that I’ve been pushing aside finally gets the better of me.

Pulling my lips into a smirk that rivals Diem’s on any given day, I say succinctly to Hailey, although I stare into his eyes, “Fuck off.”

His own smirk fades and his nostrils flare. I fight off a thrill that pops like a balloon when a cute freshman snuggles up under his arm.

“What did you say?” Hailey screeches as he wraps an arm around the girl’s waist and pulls her into his chest. It’s nothing new but like a fucking train wreck, I can’t look away, not even when I meet his granite stare once again.

I’m so low on the list of things Diem cares about that he probably doesn’t think about me at all, but this shit always feels personal. As though he’s rubbing the fact that he doesn’t give a shit in my face.

And goddamn if tears don’t prick my lids while I bite my lip against the wobble.

Why do I have to be the cry baby they all think of me? It’s like I’m one big ball of emotion and these assholes chip away at it like minors hunting for gold.

Hailey steps between us, effectively blocking my view and it allows me to suck in a breath and get my shit together. Still, I have no idea what she’s blathering on about as I consider my options.

Matt appears in my peripheral vision, his frowning facade a balm when Hailey shifts.

Once again, I meet Diem’s stare and he searches my teary eyes, his jaw ticking before his brows drop and he grabs the girl’s tit.

“Diem,” she shrieks, and he drawls, “What baby?”

Frozen, I watch the theatrics. Where before, Diem excelled at ignoring me, now it’s like he can’t resist being a dick. Why?

“Mae?” Matt says but I pull away and straighten my shoulders. It occurs to me as I meet Diem’s treacherous stare once more, that I have information he surely doesn’t want anyone to know. Including the bitch, he’s wrapped around and most certainly including me.

I did find out last night, from an enterprising douche who stepped up after the scary fucker left that he goes by Skull, and he’s a badass no one should mess with.

So, what’s Diem doing with him? And how can I use this to my advantage?

Maybe I stare too long. Maybe it’s the determined glint in my eyes but Diem frowns and releases the freshman before crossing his arms over his beautiful chest.

The movement takes me back to the night he took my virginity. It was amazing and beautiful until it wasn’t and with a sour smile, I accept the truth, it wasn’t beautiful. It was a lie.

Get it together, Maeve.

“Hey, I’m talking to you, bitch,” Hailey snarls, moving toward me until Diem grabs her arm.

Although my legs tremble, I power through, eyeing Diem’s hand wrapped around Hailey’s bicep while the freshman pouts behind him.

No longer able to hold back the words I’ve been longing to speak since that first shove, I say quietly, “I said fuck off.”

Hailey grunts, wrenching out of Diem’s hold. He steps in front of her and with a smirk of my own, I meet his stare and say, “Skull sends his regards.”

His eyes go wide, before his brows drop, all of which quickly fades into his facade of boredom. It doesn’t matter though; I saw what he couldn’t hide. Take that dick. The new Maeve has arrived.

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