Page 29 of Destroying Everleigh

The bra wrapped around my body, stopping above my ribs. It was crisscrossed in the back and had a plunging neckline. The bra was so tight because it had to offer support somehow, that it pushed my breasts up. I pulled my high-waist leggings over the small amount of pudge that had been on display prior.

Bracing myself, I pushed off the bathroom counter, slung my bag over my shoulder, and stormed out into the hall. Since we were in between classes, the hallway was bustling—much to my dismay. There were people coming and going every which way, their eyes widening as I stormed past. I didn’t miss the catcalls and wolf whistles. My hands were shaking at my sides, yearning to punch the dickhead in the face again. I didn’t even bring an extra change of clothes today because Coach had stressed that today was only a meeting to go over our upcoming games and the rules on the field.

I probably looked like an angry goblin as I stomped my feet down the hall, my fury so potent that I was sure the people walking by could feel it. When I rounded the corner, I bumped into a hard, solid chest of muscle. The guy latched onto my bare waist instinctively to help steady me, but when I glanced up, my stomach dropped.

I shoved against Ashton’s chest, forcing him to stumble back a step. When he realized it was me, his upper lip curled in disgust, his eyes drifting down my body that had matured a lot more since the last time he’d seen it.

“Tell Jameson I got his message loud and clear, asshole,” I spat.

I didn’t wait for a response. I only had one more class and then I could be done with school for the day. So, I barged through the door at the end of the hall.

The room fell silent as soon as I entered, but that was short-lived. The class erupted in murmurs, and I distinctly heard the wordwhoreuttered. I was so tired of being called a slut and a whore at this point; it just pissed me off more. I was hoping to God that I didn’t have this class with any of the guys, but a quick glance around the room told me that had been wishful thinking. Kash was seated near the left, amusement dancing in his eyes as he took note of me. Great. A class with Ashton. A class with Jameson. And two classes with Kash. I was starting to wonder if they somehow planned this shit. Anything to get under my skin.

Professor Morisson spluttered at the sight of me, adjusting his spectacles on the bridge of his nose. “Ms. Knight…where is your shirt?”

I was shaking with pent up anger and on the verge of combusting, but I reined it in, knowing that snapping at my professor would probably get me a personal meeting with the dean. So, I smiled as sweetly as I could, even as the class roared with laughter.

“Someone spilled their drink all over my shirt.”

He nodded, not seeming the smallest bit surprised. Like this was a normal fucking occurrence between students. “Very well. Have a seat.” He sighed.

I slipped into my assigned seat, which I realized too late was behind Kash. An internal groan got lodged in my throat. This was going to be the longest year ever.

When I got home, I quickly bathed myself and then gave Emma a bath. Briley usually watched the kids so I could work, so I didn’t have to worry about that. I popped a frozen pizza in the oven, knowing it would be at least twenty minutes before it was ready and cool enough for them to eat.

While that was heating up, I went to my mom’s room to check on her. She was rolled on her side, the blanket tugged over her shoulders. Her breathing was even as she slept. She’s been sleeping a lot more lately, and it worried me. Every time I had to leave the house, I was afraid that I’d come home to her lifeless body. Tate and Emma would never recover from that, but it was a very high possibility that it could happen. Hell, what if they found her dead first? It wasn’t something I wanted to think about. But she was diagnosed four years ago, and the doctor told me that most people who developed heart disease didn’t make it past three years. I even looked it up and the statistics just verified that.

Closing her door as gently as possible, I moved back into my room. My work uniform was on my bed where I’d left it, so I slipped the outfit on and threw my hair up into a high ponytail.

The kids were arguing from the kitchen, Emma crying over something Tate said to her. I pinched the bridge of my nose, my stress levels at an all time high. My mind kept wandering back to Jameson and how he had someone throw a drink at me. It was a far cry from the boy who used to eat popcorn with me on the couch and hold me close. He used to make me feel so safe. Now, he was out to torment me.

Part of me wanted to hate him for it, but another part of me knew I never could.

Once the pizza was done, I set the table and ushered everyone into the kitchen. Briley was staring at me like I was a bomb ready to go off at any given moment.

“You okay?” she asked.

I swallowed before nodding. “Just high school bullshit,” I muttered.

“Yeah…I heard—well, saw is probably more accurate.” She huffed a laugh. “There’s a video circulating of Jessie throwing that drink on you in the hall. Someone even made a GIF out of it.” She paused, glancing at me with weary eyes. “Do you want to see it?”

If I clenched my teeth any harder, they’d shatter. “No, Briley. I don’t want to fucking see it.” My words came out slow and uncontrolled, but I was losing my shit.

I’d been a victim of bullying before. Back in high school, Crystal had made it her mission to torture me. But this was so much worse. It waspersonal. And as soon as Ashton snapped his fingers, she stopped. This wouldn’t end that quickly. I was desperately hoping it was a one-time thing. That after the first week passed, they’d forget all about me. I had too much on my plate to worry about ex-boyfriend drama.

“Will you make sure they eat?” I asked, blowing out a breath. Maybe work would help me keep my mind off this shit. “And make sure Tate takes a shower. Oh, and don’t forget to have them brush their teeth. They’ll both lie about it if you don’t physically check. I always do the breath test, and?—”

Briley was staring at me incredulously. “Bitch, chill. You act like I’ve never done this before.”

I snorted a laugh. “You’ve been hanging out with me and Amber way too much.”

Amber would always call me a bitch. It was in a friendly way, but to hear my sister do it, it was hysterical. She arched an eyebrow, trying to steer me back to the conversation at hand.

“I know you have. I just get anxious every time I have to leave them. I wish things didn’t have to be this way.”

Her expression softened. “I know. But we’ll get through it. Just like we have been.”

I nodded and started for the door before pausing. “Oh. And don’t forget to have them in bed by nine.”

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