Page 62 of The Hallows Boys

The early November air burns my lungs as I push my legs to keep moving, even as my muscles feel like they’re locking up from the strain. My shoes pound against the cold earth with every stride, and I savor the feeling of the little razor blades stinging the back of my throat as I heave down oxygen.

Once I’ve grown too exhausted that I simply cannot move any more, I fall down onto the cold, wet grass and try to catch my breath. My fists clench around blades of grass, and I pull them from the earth roughly as anger and need spread through me. Running doesn’t help – there’s only one thing that’s going to help, and it’sher.

After my chest has stopped heaving, I stand up and head inside. The locker room is empty since everyone has already gone home for the day, so I take a quick shower, scrubbing the sweat from my body before I get out and dry myself off. I dress in my clothes from the day, then pick up my phone to find a text from Kai.

Kai:Come over. Need to talk.

He sent the message almost an hour ago, so I grab my shit from my locker and leave the school.

The walk to Kai’s is long and boring, so I put some headphones in my ears to distract myself, and after no time, I’m circling his house and pushing through the door to his garage out back.

Beckham and Kaiden are both sitting on the couches he has set up, staring at each other and breathing heavily. Pulling my backpack from my back, I throw it on the floor, then drop down next to Becks. I look at Kai. “What’s going on?”

“Ask your boyfriend,” Kaiden spits, making me roll my eyes.

Beckham laughs, slapping a hand down on my thigh. When I find his gaze, he looks really pleased with himself. “What happened?”

He grins. “I fucked Sage.”

I turn to look at Kaiden, perking an eyebrow. “We all did.”

Kai grits his teeth, his jaw tight enough that it could slice right through glass. “This morning. He fucked herthis morning.”

“Oh.” I gape, looking at Beckham again. I can’t help the burn of jealousy that runs through me, whether it’s because Becks got to fuck her, or because he fucked her without me, I don’t know.

I drop my head a little in defeat, sighing. “Becks.”

He laughs, looking right at Kaiden. “I won’t apologize.”

Kaiden stands up, making Becks shoot to his feet as well. Taking a step forward, Kai flexes his jaw. “What did you think I meant when I saidkeep her close, but not too close,Becks?”

He takes another step forward, putting his nose right on Beckham’s, expecting him to take a step back and cower, but he doesn’t, my little rebel boy, he just squares his shoulders and growls.

I purse my lips. “This is kind of turning me on.”

Beckham laughs, looking over his shoulder at me, but Kaiden shoves him back until he’s sitting on the couch again. “Watch yourself, B. You’re starting to cross a fucking line.”

Beckham rolls his eyes, putting his hand to his forehead in a salute. “Yes,boss.”

I sigh, and Kai looks at me. “I told you this bitch would be a problem. She’s already coming between us.”

“I want to spend more time with her,” Beckham says, making both of us snap our heads to look at him.

Kaiden steps backwards, grabbing the can of beer he has sitting on the table and sitting down again across from us, repeating Becks’ words. “You want to spend time with her.”

“Yep,” he answers, crossing his arms over his chest.

Kaiden presses his eyes closed, his nostrils flaring as he blows out a breath through his nose. When he opens his eyes, they’re dark and narrow. “You want her so bad that you’ll risk everything we have?”

Beckham stands up, throwing his hands in the air. “The two things do not have to be mutually exclusive, Kai! I’m allowed to like a chick and also be a fucking Hallows Boy.”

Kai stands up again too, putting his beer back on the table before he steps toward Becks. “The games ended the morning after Halloween. You don’t get to just fucking decide to keep playing without us.”

Beckham laughs, throwing his head back for dramatic effect. “That’s what this is about, Kai? You’re fucking jealous?!”

I stand up then too, knowing Beckham is walking a thin line between being defiant and being a dick. Kai takes another slow, calculated step toward Beckham. “I’m not fuckingjealous.”

Beckham’s lips twist into a pleased grin, making me take a deep breath in, and he spreads his hands out to the sides as he addresses Kai. “If you want to fuck Sage, then fuck Sage. But don’t get mad at me for having the balls to do something that you’re too pussy to d–”

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