Page 57 of Victorious: Part I

Chapter Fifteen

PHOENIX

Two Days Later

It feels odd.

I have to admit.

Knowing that I’m basically running away from possibly the biggest fight LA Defiance has ever seen.

For the past couple of days, while I have been preparing for our departure, my mind has been running over all the possibilities that could happen while we’re gone. The fact that once I drive out of these gates, we might not have a home to come back to being one of them. The number of times I have started walking to find Maverick to tell him I can’t do this, that I can’t go—fuck—I can’t even count.

I want to be here.

I want to fight beside my brothers.

I want to help protect my sistermore than anything.

But I know Sadie is not mine to protect anymore.

I spent years watching out for her.

Putting my life on the line for her.

And now, that’s Maverick’s job.

I know when to step back.

So, every time that urge to return to Sadie’s protector role takes over, I think about Maverick and Clover and how he’s still struggling with the same issue for his sister.

Somehow, Sadie convinced Mav that I have what it takes to look after Clover during this shitstorm. Even though I want nothing more than to be here beside my brothers, fighting this fight, but if my duty in this is to help Maverick step back from being that protective brother, like I’ve had to do, then I will do just that.

And to be honest, being stuck on a road trip with Clover doesn’t sound bad to me at all.

Except for the batshit crazy playlist.

As the summer sun beams down, the heat hits me already, and it’s only seven thirty in the morning. I hoist another bag into the back of the pickup as a flurry of raucous chatter from behind me draws my attention. Turning around, I spot Alpha, Haven, Sadie, Maverick, and Clover all headed toward me. Everyone except Alpha, who is fussing over Clover who, honestly, seems flustered as hell.

I lock eyes with Alpha, who simply rolls his eyes at me as they all continue to approach. I try to keep my smirk to myself when they step up to the rear of the truck.

“You sure you haveallyour meds?” Maverick asks.

“For the millionth time,yes!” Clover snaps back at him.

He raises his hands as Haven steps in next to her, wrapping her arm around her little sister. “Hey, drop the attitude. He’s just looking out for you, okay?”

Clover exhales, dropping her chin to her chest. “I know. I’m sorry. This is just…” she hesitates, and Sadie steps in.

“It’s a lot. You’re leaving home, and you’re leaving at a scary time. Tensions are high, but don’t leave pissed off, okay?”

Clover’s bottom lip trembles as she glances up at Maverick, then suddenly rushes forward, almost jumping into his arms. He exhales, cuddling her, his eyes closing as he holds her tight. “We’re gonna be okay, Clo. Ineedyou to believe that.”

She pulls back, looking at him, and nods. “You better be, or Phoenix and I are gonna come back and kill you ourselves.”

My eyes widen, and I shake my head. “Nope, not me. Just her.”

The others laugh as Clover peers back at me with a smirk. “Pussy,” she mumbles, grinning at me.

---