Page 60 of The Perfect Spiral
“She saw Drew,” Wes states simply. I turn to face them, curious to see their reactions. They exchange glances, as if I’m clueless about what’s happening. Please, I’m the smartest one in this car!
I cut him off, anticipating his excuses. “Don’t you dare lie to me or tell me that you did it for me,” I say, my voice harsh. I grit my teeth, a habit I have when I’m really angry.
“No, Kyle! What you guys did was not right! You beat the shit out of him! How can you do that to another person! How the fuck is nine on one fair? When did you guys even come to LA?” I shout, my anger spilling over.
“Actually, it was seven on one. Knox and Austin weren’t there. He deserved it, Alex. What he did to you wasn’t right. Nobody does that to my little sister! Nobody! Yeah, it could’ve been handled better, but it’s done now. I can’t take it back. We did it during your exams so you were too busy to see him—” Austin is Knox’s older brother, little Adam’s dad.
“Are you fucking kidding me! KYLE! You fucking animal! You all are! Jesus! He was beaten up so badly! I’m not defending him,I’m simply stating a fact that it wasn’t right to use violence to make a point! Christ, he was unrecognizable, Kyle! You are all idiots! During exams! If he fails, he’s going to blame me! You’re lucky he didn’t file a report against you all. Hell, I would’ve helped him out if I’d known! At least Knox had some sense not to join in.”
“I would’ve, baby doll, if it wasn’t for practice and the media being on my case.”
“KNOX! Shut up! NOW!” I shout at him.
“Look, Alex, he cheated on you. I hate cheaters, but I hate them even more when they cheat on me or my family. I could see how much he hurt you, it literally broke us. That’s why we did it.”
“You didn’t think it broke me to fucking see it! This is the second time I’ve walked in on someone being caught in the act. You don’t think I wanted to beat the shit out of him myself? I didn’t because it was the right thing to just walk away from him. He didn’t love me, Kyle! I could see it when his dick was inside another girl. I could see it. Now nobody will ever love me because they won’t be able to come near me. Thank you, guys. I hope you’re happy. Now I’m going to be fucking miserable for the rest of my life. I might as well become a lesbian now!” I lash out, my words laced with bitterness. I wouldn’t actually become a lesbian. I just added that for dramatic effect to get my point across.
“Please don’t become a lesbian,” Knox and Wes plead in unison. I roll my eyes and turn to look out the window at the passing houses. I need my bed. I need Hannah. I need my mom.
“No! I’m not talking to you guys. Just drive me home and keep quiet like good little boys,” I snap, my words dripping with sarcasm. Silence fills the car until we reach Wes’s house.
Before he gets out, Wes takes my hand while Kyle walks to the trunk to retrieve his bags. He leans in and pecks me on the cheek. “Just give us a second chance, Alex.”
It’s a bold move, considering how close Kyle is and that Knox is still sitting up front. I can see Knox glaring at us in the rearview mirror. “Bye, Wes,” he says, his eyes still on Wes as he gets out of the car.
Wes shoots him a quick glare in return. What is wrong with them? Is Knox mad at Wes because of me? Then why isn’t he mad at Kyle?
Chapter 22
As I rolled my suitcase through the foyer, the rhythmic thud of the wheels against the grooves of the tiled floor echoed through the house. The sound of paws scraping against the floor drew my attention, and I looked up to see Boomer, our family’s Pomeranian husky, skidding across the floor in his excitement.
“Boomer!” I exclaimed, my heart swelling with joy at the sight of my little buddy. “My favorite little guy!” His coat was a beautiful blend of ice grey and snow white, and his haunting blue eyes could melt your heart if you dared to meet his gaze. Those eyes were the reason I’d chosen him, along with his playful nature. I’d been lucky enough to afford him—those dogs don’t come cheap.
Eric had bought him on a whim, and my mom had nearly had a fit. But when she saw how happy I was with Boomer, she couldn’t stay mad. And that happiness never faded. I loved him so much.
I sat down on the cold tiled floor, feeling the chill seep through the thin fabric of my jeans. Boomer proceeded to lick my face, and I hugged him, trying to calm his excitement.
“I knew you’d be excited to see me, Boom. I’m your favorite, aren’t I?” I said in a playful voice. I stretched out on the floor, and Boomer lay down between my legs, his belly up, ready for a good rub. I knew that little smirk anywhere. I rubbed his belly, laughing at how much I’d missed this.
“Alex!” Eden, Adam, and Noah’s voices echoed through the house as they raced each other to reach me. Boomer jumped up excitedly and ran around the foyer. The kids wrapped their tiny arms around my neck and shoulders, smothering me with their sweet kisses. Adam sat down between my legs, while Noah clung to my neck.
Eden ran to Knox and pointed for him to join us. He complied, and she sat down on his lap, his large arms wrapped protectively around her tiny body.
“You’ve got such a soft spot for her, Knox,” I teased.
“Look at that face, though. Come on!” he retorted, grinning widely and pointing at Eden, who sat there innocently.
“Well, hello there, my boyfriend!” Adam tilted his head back to look up at me. I showered his face with playful kisses, and he grinned, showing off his teeth. This kid was too cute for his own good. Noah started to kiss my cheeks playfully, and I laughed, turning my head to return his kisses.
Boomer came over and started to lick Adam’s face, causing Eden to giggle from Knox’s lap. I looked over to see her smiling up at him.
“Do I get a smooch from my princess?” Knox asked Eden. She nodded and kissed him on the nose, just like Max does to her.
I smiled at her, “Eden, is Knox your boyfriend?”
She scrunched up her nose and said, “Ewww,” causing me to laugh and Knox to glare at me.
“That’s right, doll. Don’t get tied down too early,” I said, pointing at her playfully.
