Page 11 of The Star

I put my phone on Do Not Disturb and throw it down on my desk, my hands shaking as I grip onto the arms of my chair. Fury burns through me like a raging fire, turning my blood to ash and smoke.

Twelve hours ago, Logan didn’t exist. Twelve hours ago, I was under the impression that this little phase would pass my mom by like a bad smell. She’s been fucking her assistant for months, but I never imagined he would infiltrate my life like this.

I have a good thing going with my mom. It’s been just the two of us for the last ten years, and that’s the way I fucking like it. And most of the time it’s just me, myself and I – well, and Hayden and Levi.

But now? The fucking sacred ground has been infiltrated.

Infiltrated by white trash.

I blow out a breath, trying to cool the heat inside of me before I have to face them all. I need to get rid of this pent-up aggression, and there’re only two ways I know how to do that.

Football or pussy.

I stand up with a grin pulling at my lips and type out one last message to the group chat.

Carson Raines:Invite the cheer squad

Slipping my phone into my pocket, I stand up and head downstairs to my very first “family” dinner.

All of them are already seated at the table when I make my way into the dining room, all three heads turning to watch me find my seat. I just grin, pull out my chair, and sit down without a word.

Logan is sitting next to me, her legs crossed so I can see a good amount of her thighs where her shorts have ridden up. I clear my throat and avert my eyes, checking out the food laid out on the table.

“Well, help yourselves.” My mom smiles as she starts dishing food out onto Gary’s plate. The task confuses me because… can’t this motherfucker serve himself?

I ignore the feeling of resentment in my gut and fill my plate with food in silence. Everyone else does the same, and then we all start eating the same way – silently, officially making this the most uncomfortable dinner I’ve ever eaten.

About halfway through, my mom speaks again. “Carson, I told Logan you would show her around school on Monday. Does that work with your schedule?”

My head snaps to the side to look at Logan, who’s sitting there with no emotion gracing her pretty face. “You’re transferring to Luxington?”

She picks at her food with her fork, but doesn't look at me when she answers. “Apparently.”

I look to my mom, who’s staring daggers at me in warning. “I have football on Monday.”

She speaks through the clench in her jaw. “You have footballafterschool.”

I press my lips together, trying not to smirk like an asshole.

“Logan doesn’t have a car yet, so you can drive her, then give her the inside scoop on Luxington. Show her to class and stuff.” My mom smiles, settling into her chair.

I get another forkful of mac and cheese and shove it in my mouth to avoid responding, just giving my mom a nod from across the table. The room falls quiet again and stays that way until we’ve all cleared our plates.

I push my chair out behind me, standing up. “I’m gonna head to Hayden’s.”

My mom shoots daggers in my direction again, making me sigh. “Thank you for dinner, Mom, but I’m not going to force something that doesn't come organically.”

Her head goes back in surprise, but Gary lays a hand on top of one of hers. “It’s okay, Sara. This is new for everyone. We’ll all warm up.”

I give him a closed-lipped smile in appreciation, even though I want to knock his teeth out, and keep taking steps backwards toward the door, waiting to see if my mom is going to say anything.

“Home by one, Carson.” She meets my eyes with an unreadable expression.

“I’ll just stay at Hayden’s.” I turn and head through the door before she can say anything else, feeling the irritation inside of me growing bigger.

My mother has never given me a curfew before, making me believe she’s just playing thecaring mothercard for our new fucked up family. We have trust, my mom and I, and she’s never needed to enforce that type of shit before because I’ve never disappointed her. I’m careful, I get good grades, I focus on football.

And right now, all I want to do is fuck something up to make a point.

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