Page 199 of Boys Who Taint

I glance at the girl in the side mirror, but I don’t recognize her. I hate what’s become of her. How easily she was twisted into a person she doesn’t even know.

Fuck them.

I walk to the back of my car and open the trunk to look at the fireworks my dad once gave to me after a party. I kept it in here because I didn’t know what else to do with it, but now I do. Grinding my teeth, I pick up one of the fireworks, staring at it while a blazing inferno ignites my heart.

Fine.

Those Phantoms want to destroy my sanity?

They fucking got their wish.

CHAPTER 46

Apollo

Hours later

It’sby chance that I gaze out the window and watch an angry redhead light some fireworks and throw them into an open window.

My eyes widen, and I dart downstairs, yelling, “Shit, shit, shit!”

I run toward the kitchen that’s already set half ablaze and snatch the fire extinguisher off the wall, blasting the fire out with the powdery white stuff.

But then another piece of lit fireworks is shoved in through the open door.

“Eat shit and die!” Aspen squeals.

My God.

An explosion follows, and I’m thrown back against the wall.

“What’s happening?” Levi bursts into the kitchen and snatches the fire extinguisher out of my hands. “Oh shit.”

Grey comes rushing down the stairs and, upon entering the kitchen, begins coughing like crazy. “Fuck.”

“Help us,” I yell.

He swiftly grabs a bucket from under the sink and begins to fill it with water to pour all over the fires spread around the room. Meanwhile, Levi tries to douse the fire, but another piece of fireworks props up near the front doorandthe window in the common room.

“She’s trying to roast us alive,” I mutter as I crawl to my feet. “Take care of this.”

“What?!” Levi screams. “Who isshe?”

“Aspen!” I yell back, and both of their eyes widen.

Right as I open the door, she sprays a can and lights it on fire. “Burn, baby, burn!”

Jesus Christ.

I sidestep and grasp the door to keep her out, but she’s got her foot inside, and I don’t want to hurt her even though she’s clearly intent on harming us. I guess we deserve it after everything we’ve done.

Still, I can’t let her destroy my house, my life.

“Stop this, Freckles. You’re better than this,” I try to reason with her.

“Bullshit! Y’all wanna see me lose my shit? Here you fucking go!” she shrieks, blasting me with more fire.

And damn, is it hot, and I don’t just mean the fucking fire.

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