Page 41 of Brutal Days

I moved the console back, motioning for her to come closer, then chuckled at her glare. “I won’t do anything. You can rest your head on my shoulder, and I’m warmer.” The goose bumps on her legs hadn’t escaped my notice.

She thought about it for a second then scooted closer, and I situated her with her back to my side. Wrapping an arm around her, I rested my hand on her flat stomach.

“What about you? You’re going to Thane too? That’s where Cole and Riley are, right?”

“That’s the plan, and I wish it would come sooner. Being away from my brother is hard. We’re close.”

“What about Riley? Are you friends with her now?”

I smiled. “Yeah. She’s my stepsister.”

“Oh, that’s right. I forgot your dad married her mom this summer. Do you get along with her mom?”

“Raelyn’s all right, but I’m not cool with some history involving her. So, no, to answer your question. I try to stay out of her and my father’s way as much as possible.” It was weird to tell her such personal stuff, but I liked talking to her.

We talked for another hour, and I kept things light, never going too deep into her family life because I knew something very dark had happened with her parents. And I feared if I’d touched on it, she would bolt. Having her in my arms was incredible, and I didn’t want the experience to end.

When she fell asleep, I continued to hold her, content to remain in the SUV together for a little while longer. Eventually, I followed her and finally nodded off.

The sharp rap against the window jolted me awake, and my arm tightened around Sky. Then the door opened, and my vision focused on the woman with dark hair and blue eyes who looked so much like Sky that I had no doubt she was Sky’s mother.

Shit, this isn’t good.

“Sky.” Her mom’s voice cracked through the silence, and Sky stirred.

“Mom?”

I helped her sit up, then she was out of my SUV without even turning to say bye. Her mom fixed me with a sharp look as Sky shut the door then tugged her mom inside the house. I got the hell out of there.

Once I was home, I went to my room, stripped, and fell onto the bed with a vague sense that I had forgotten about something, but I was too tired to care what it was.

It was afternoon when I woke up to several messages on my phone. Rolling over, I read through them. Phoenix ripped me a new one for blowing off the morning run. Shane had sent me angry emojis. I guessed he’d gone.

Then there were some from Gia wondering where I was.Right…I was supposed to take her to breakfast. I shot off a reply.

Me:Sorry—got the days mixed up and slept in

Gia:That’s okay

I rolled my eyes. If that was Sky, she would have come over and blared an airhorn or something equally unpleasant to wake me up rather than roll over and take the shitty way I’d treated her.

Me:Come to the fight tonight bring your friend

Gia:I’ll be there!!!

I sent her the address. I was playing a dangerous game but couldn’t resist the thrill.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

SKYLAR

#Possession

“He’s amazing and so sweet.” Gia continued to sing Damon’s praises. “He even called me and apologized for skipping breakfast. I guess he was so tired from the game Friday night that he overslept.”

I grunted. The real reason was that he’d been parked in front of my house for most of the night. Everything was getting more complicated, and I felt out of control. It was dark out, almost ten at night, and I was bone-tired. “Why do I have to go? The fights are stupid. Just a bunch of rich kids beating the crap out of each other.”

“You’re going because you’re my best friend, and…” She whipped open her closet door and jammed her finger on the ridiculous senior year list. “Get invited to the Ring.”

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