Page 48 of Triple Pucked
The only way to stop bullies is to become stronger than they are.
“Throughout high school,” Cody continues, quietly, “Ryn was teased for her red hair and curves. One Valentine’s Day, one of the boys left an anonymous card for her. The asshole tricked her into thinking that he wanted to meet and give her a gift at the back of the school. I insisted on going with her, when I couldn’t talk her out of turning up at all. Of course, there wasn’t a romantic date, only an ambush by the entire gang of boys. They laughed at her for being stupid enough to think anyone would love afat piglike her.”
Rage surges through me.
I wring the cloth between my hands like I can strangle it.
Bullying isn’t romantic.
It doesn’t show you that someone is secretly interested in you.
It should be grounds for having your balls cut off.
Cody’s gaze is just as dark when he raises it to meet mine. “So, my fist reacted all over their faces.”
“Good.”
Cody gives a bitter laugh.
“Dad didn’t think so. He…” Cody swallows. “The punishment was worth it.”
Cody talks about the darkness with me alone because we both come from it.
Robyn doesn’t know this truth yet about coach.
Not all of it.
How would she handle it, if she knew that the true monster in her life had once been the dad who she saw as a hero?
He was always a monster to Cody.
“I will give your sister her best Valentine’s Day,” I promise, firmly.
Cody smiles. “I knew that I could rely on you. You’re a good man.”
I startle.
I’m not.
Shay is.
He’s sunshine and optimism.
I don’t even know what being good means.
All I want is to protect my family. I wouldn’t only sacrifice anything to achieve that…I’ddoanything.
When Cody catches my eye, I feel like he understands me. “Ryn has had some shitty men in her life, you know? She’s an incredible woman that she’s still so strong and kind. I thought after Wilder that it would be a long time before she had the courage to move in with anyone again, but here she is, moving in with you guys. I’m happy for you.” Then he hunches his shoulders, biting his lip. He’s vibrating with guilt. “I hope that you do a better job of protecting her than I did. I had her back all those years, then she left with Wilder, and I sucked as a brother. He isolated her, and I let him. I won’t make that mistake again.”
His sharp gaze meets mine.
I straighten my shoulders. “Threat noted.”
Suddenly, Cody’s phone rings with the tune from the movie theLabyrinth.
I’m surprised by the way that Cody jumps.
My gaze narrows.
