Page 27 of Savage Truth

“Yeah.” Phoenix tilted his head, regarding me like I’d grown two heads. “Hating Riley is back on?”

When I met his gaze, I flinched from how conflicted I was. It was Riley’s fault and her mom’s. They were the root of our losing Mom. Dad was guilty, too, but it was easier to lay the blame at their feet. “I never really stopped. She’s a problem that we need to deal with.” I was distracted, but I refocused on my brother.

“And to think it was only yesterday”—Damon smirked—“that you wanted to kick my ass for saying shit about her. But today, you’re the one badmouthing her.”

“I never should have let her in, not even a little.”

Damon’s features darkened to what he looked like before a fight. “After what went down yesterday, I would hope so.”

I didn’t hear what he said next because Riley walked into the lunchroom with Cass, who should have known better than to hang out with her.And why aren’t Piper and her minions all over Cass for that?

“Brooke.” Phoenix seemed to read my mind. “Remember she and Cass used to be friends?”

I nodded. Made sense. Cass must have gotten a pass for some reason. No matter, as long as everyone else gave Riley a wide berth. I tore my eyes from her and chugged the water I’d grabbed on my way in.

Phoenix stiffened. That was all it took for me to spot that asswipe from the dive team as he sat next to Riley. He cupped her shoulder and squeezed before his hand fell below the table. The fucker sat close enough that he might as well have been inside her.

I was standing before I knew it, fueled by insurmountable rage. The distance to their table evaporated beneath my long strides. Then I was in front of Jarrett, my hand fisted in his shirt as I hauled him from his seat. My fist connected to his face with a satisfying crunch.

There were screams. Shouts. Nothing would stop me from hitting the fucker again. Something wrapped my arm tightly, and I glared over my shoulder.

Phoenix had my bicep in a vise grip. “Not here!”

Shane grabbed my other arm. Damon stepped between me and the guy, whose face dripped with blood. My cousins pulled me back while I strained to get to him again. I needed another hit. He hadn’t heeded my warning the first time, and I wanted to wipe the floor with him for ignoring it. Sure, she was hot as fuck, but to cross me meant retribution. And my reputation was well known.

Riley launched herself over the table until she was in front of me. Her palms smacked my chest, and she shoved. It was the only thing that made me stop struggling. Her cheeks were red, and I think she growled. But all I heard was my anger buzzing in my ears.

I stopped struggling to break free. She was livid, making me want to laugh in the silent lunchroom. Staff converged, and we broke apart, sent to the principal’s office for the second time that day.

Wonder if I can talk my way out of punishment this time.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

RILEY

That asshole got me suspended.

In all my quiet, don’t-let-anyone-in, make-good-grades-and-stay-under-the-radar behavior, I’d never been suspended from anything partly because I was usually invisible—by choice. Not here, thanks to Cole putting a target on my back from day one, orchestrating everyone at school to ostracize me, and telling everyone they’d better uphold the freeze.

Cass had chosen to ignore it, exempt from retaliation because of Brooke. And Jarrett had disregarded Cole’s edict when he sat beside me at lunch and gotten his ass handed to him for it.

Three-day suspension for fighting was what Principal Morris had decided was an acceptable punishment. I hadn’t done anything—the total bullshit was all Cole’s fault. His dad was giving off some furious vibes, which brought me a rush of satisfaction as we drove back to their place. I was angry too. So was Cole. The only one with other emotions was Mom, and she seemed worried.

Mom and Lucas were in the front seat with Cole and me in the back. I was glad the SUV was huge since we were stuck together. There was plenty enough space for his stupid long legs, so they didn’t touch mine.

No one said a word on the ride home, and when we got to the house, I ignored them all and went to my room. Mom was too quiet on the drive, and more than once, I caught her looking at her phone. I didn’t like it.

She’ll come up. I just had to wait because of course she would come to my room. We could talk about everything then. I sat cross-legged on the queen-sized bed I was getting too used to. Mom had looked fearful when we got out of the car. It had to mean we were leaving. Probably tonight.Good. I’m ready to go.

I needed to pass the time and swiped my thumb across my phone’s screen. Rolling to my stomach, I read through the shouty texts from Cass. The last one demanded that I respond. I laughed, and warmth filled me because she cared. I wasn’t used to that.

My fingers flew over the keys as I gave her a quick recap of what happened after Cole slammed his fist into Jarrett’s face. I couldn’t believe he’d done that. Irritation flooded me all over again, and I glanced at the time.

Mom should have been up there by now. I couldn’t wait any longer. Something could have been wrong. Three dots appeared. Cass was texting me back, but I needed to find out why Mom wasn’t talking to me.

I rolled off my bed, landing on my feet, then crossed my room to the door, yanked it open, and burst into the hallway but stopped short. Cole leaned a shoulder against his open door, and I scowled. He looked pissed. I didn’t care.

“I told you to stay away from Jarrett.”

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