Page 67 of Boys Who Taint

“It’s hard, you know? Going to school and pretending nothing happened.”

“I feel like everyone’s kind of moved on and we’re standing still,” I mutter, staring at her headstone. “Like we’re still at the precipice at the top of that hill, holding our breaths, right when she falls.”

Xavier nods. “I’m sorry. I should’ve been there.”

“No, no.” I wrap my arms around him. “Don’t feel guilty. It’s not your fault.”

“I should’ve been there with you guys,” he repeats.

“I’m glad you weren’t because you wouldn’t have survived seeing her there on the rocks,” I say. “Trust me.”

He sucks in a deep breath as I pet him.

“You two need a minute?” Grey steps closer with two fresh cups of coffee in his hands. “Figured I’d get some, but I wasn’t sure if you two were ready yet.”

“Yeah, no, of course,” I say as Xavier releases me. “Thank you.”

“Thanks.” Xavier grabs his cup and takes a quick sip. “Appreciate it.”

“You’re welcome,” Grey says. “I know how tough it can be to lose the people you love. Especially when the person who did it is still roaming freely.”

My face tightens, and I lower my cup. “He won’t be for long.”

“What do you mean?” Xavier asks.

“I think she means if it’s up to her—”

“No, I mean, I’m going to kill him.”

They both look at me like I’ve lost my mind, but I’ve only gained more clarity over the past couple of weeks.

“Kill him?” Xavier repeats. “You meanLevi? You’re gonna kill your best friend?”

“Ex,” I reply, slurping down my coffee. “Ex-best friend. And he doesn’t deserve to live.”

Grey

She chucksthe empty coffee cup into the trash up ahead and walks back toward the exit.

“You gotta help her,” Xavier says, placing his cup down on the ground.

“What?”

“Stop her.”

I frown. “You think I can?”

“You’re her boyfriend. She’ll listen to you.”

I snort. “I don’t have that kind of power.”

He suddenly grips my shirt. “You have to stop her, man. You don’t understand. She’s going to get herself killed.”

“I—”

“You don’t know my sisters the way I do. Did. Whatever. She and Mavis are just like my mom. Once you get on their bad side, there is nowhere in hell you can hide from their wrath. She won’t stop until she destroys him.”

“Who?”

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