Page 35 of Charming Cruel Boys

“Eggs, toast, andbacon,“ I correct, inhaling the greasy, applewood scent and groaning my appreciation. It’s not a lot, but it’s somehow the perfect breakfast. Maybe since Duke made it.

My father gave up on his extravagant meals for the whole family just a couple of weeks in. Now it’s back to me fending for myself, or on occasion, Duke whipping up something simple. Rose cooks dinner a couple nights a week too, but she works weird hours as an office manager for a health clinic and doesn’t always make it home in time.

I make myself a plate and then dig in. A few bites later, something knocks against my toes. I lift my eyes and catch Duke smirking at me, tapping his fork against his plate in some complex melody. He reaches his foot out again, playfully kicking at mine without a word. Laughing, I kick back, and soon we’re in a vicious game of footsies under the table.I spread my feet wide and go for both Duke and Knight this time, almost howling with laughter at how ridiculous this is.

Knight slams his palm on the table when I touch him, and I jump from the loud noise. “Don’t touch me,” he says in a low voice, glaring at his breakfast like the food did some terrible disservice to him.I’m only now realizing he’s yet to look at me once this morning.

“Oh, for once, don’t be such a grump,” I tease, pointing my fork accusatorially at the asshole.I didn’t expect him to get a whole new personality over night, so the vicious tone doesn’t bother me one bit. It’s same old Knight, only… maybe he’s mine now.

“I said,” Knight growls, lifting his gaze to mine and shocking me with the hatred burning there. “Don’t. Touch. Me.”He’s got a fork fisted in one hand and a butter knife in the other, his shoulders tense and every muscle in his body primed for a fight.

“What?” I ask, smile falling right off my face. I stare at him for a beat, taking in his angry face and hard eyes.It’s like he’s shut down again, put that wall up higher than ever and plans to keep me way the hell out. “I don’t… But last night we—“

“Did you get fingered too hard, Remi? You can’t understand a few simple fucking words?”he drawls lazily, a cruel slash of a smile starting to inch up on his face. He scoffs at me and gives me slow a once over, making me want to curl up in a ball and never show my face near him again.

“Watch it, Knight,” Duke snaps, glaring at his brother, his food pushed away and long forgotten. “Don’t speak to her like that.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. Am I supposed to play nice now that Remi spread her legs for me?”He laughs and shakes his head before pouting at me. “Poor princess, always too hopeful for your own good.”

Sharp daggers slice through my chest and I blink back the tears building in my eyes. Raising my chin, I speak as clearly as possible. “I know last night wasn’t fake. Did I do something since then to piss you off?”

Knight shakes his head, leaning back in the wooden dining chair with an air of nonchalance. Like he’s been playing a game with me and now he’s won and can move on. “No, Remi. You gave in to me just like I knew you would. All it took was some mediocre acting on my part and you were putty. Fucking begging for it, just like all the other girls who’ve thrown themselves at me. I knew it wouldn’t take long to have you however I wanted.”

I suck in a gasp as I stare at him, not a single word in my defense coming to mind. How could he say that after last night? I know it wasn’t just sexual, Iknowit. I felt so much more between the two of us. Knight and I have a connection that’s been building with a dangerous tension. Last night was the explosion. It was a moment of weakness where neither of us could fight it any longer. It was messy and desperate and long overdue.

Except the way he’s staring at me now like I’m literally worth less than the dirt beneath his shoe... Did I read it all wrong?Am I that fucking gullible?

A single tear slips past my lashes and my cheeks heat with shame. I avoid Knight’s cruel stare and keep my eyes downcast instead. A single tear is all it takes, though. Duke is on his feet and pulling Knight up by the back of his shirt before I’ve even wiped it away. He shoves his brother’s chest and then swings, connecting with Knight’s jaw. There’s a moment where the three of us pause; the two boys breathing heavily, glaring at each other, me just trying to keep myself composed. Then Knight tackles Duke to the floor, and soon both are throwing punches and insults and curses in the middle of the kitchen.

Good thing Rose and my father already left to get coffee together before work,I think absently as I watch the violence play on.I catch a few words in my hazy state. Duke sayingdon’t ever talk to her like that again,how could you lie to her face, andI know you don’t mean that shit. And Knight’s replies offuck both of you, she was too easy,andI just wanted a taste.

I want to curl under my sheets and cry. I want to run. I want to leave town now and never look back.

But I won’t do any of that.Because I should have known better.

With a deep, shaky breath, I stand slowly and walk around the table, stopping right in front of them. “Stop!” I shout. “Guys, just stop. It’s fine.”

Duke looks up at me, his lip pulled back in a snarl and his right eye already swelling. “It’s not fine, Remi,” he grinds out, clutching Knight’s dark gray shirt in his fists.

“Knight, get off of him,” I say hollowly.

“I’m not gonna apologize,” Knight breathes, standing and wiping blood from his lip.His eyes are downright feral and it takes me back to that first day of junior year when he shoved me against my locker and scared the absolute shit out of me. Joke’s on me, I guess. Knight has always been that cruel, hateful, dangerous boy. I just forgot to keep my guard up.

“So don’t. If this is how it’s going to be, then fine,” I tell him. “You fooled me, Knight. You lured me in and made me care for you, and then I offered you something that you had no right to take. Shame on me. I won’t make that mistake twice.”My shoulders are squared and my spine straight, even as my bottom lip trembles and my hands shake.

Knight pushes his tongue into his cheek, a flicker of hurt flashing through his eyes. Only, that can’t be right. He wanted this. He built me up just to watch me crumble. I’m the only one allowed to hurt right now. “So you admit it was a mistake? You regret last night?” he asks quietly, glaring at me.

I pretend to think about it, tilting my head and humming while I tap my finger to my chin. Sarcasm and sass for the win. Best defense mechanism I know. “No, I don’t regret last night. I just regret doing it with you. But trust me, that’llneverhappen again. I’ll be sure to grab Duke next time I’m horny and you won’t have to worry about faking any sweet words and lustful kisses.“ I offer him a sickly sweet smile and turn away before he can see my tears as my control slips and they fall down my cheeks. I suck in a silent breath before walking away, grabbing my backpack, and leaving for school.

In hindsight, I probably should have offered Duke a ride. He stood up for me against his brother. That means a lot. But I just couldn’t stick around any longer to even consider it. Oh well, he’ll survive.

***

Pulling up to school fifteen minutes later, I slap on a brave face and check my makeup in the mirror in case my tears ruined it. The bruise from my father is mostly covered up with foundation, but there’s not much I could have done about the cut from his ring. I don’t know what I’ll say if anyone asks, but that’s a problem for later.

My mind is stuck in a dense fog as I go from class to class, hardly paying attention. And then it’s time for music, and a tiny flicker of relief moves through me as I spot Duke in the hallway walking toward me. He slings his arm over my shoulders and steers me into the classroom without a word.

Duke sits next to me instead of his usual seat and I lean into his side as we wait for the class to fill. He’s such a strong, sure presence, and it soothes away some of the ache Knight caused. I was worried he might not feel as strongly for me after I messed around with his brother, despite his claim of being alright with it. I don’t know what I’d do if Duke turned his back on me too. Thankfully, he seems to be as in love with me as always, pressing soft kisses to my temple and humming a song under his breath. He has no clue how much I love it.

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