Page 81 of The Tangle of Awful

Speaking of tidy, I make quick work of making my bed and straightening all the hung clothes in my closet. This week, despite my obsession with neatness, I wasn’t all that bothered by seeing Aubrey’s clothes on my floor. If that’s the tradeoff for having her in my bed, I’ll take it.

It’s still early, but I can’t wait to see her any longer. I may hate Tasha, but for some reason Aubrey loves her, so I know she was destroyed that Tasha was in an accident—one that might be connected to her stalker.

I rap on her door fast and hard. “Wake up, leech. Time to cuddle.”

A drawer slams shut in her room. I try the knob. Still locked.

“Don’t make me break in,” I warn. “Open this damn door.”

Footsteps thud over to the door and then it swings open. I’d expected to see her in her pajamas, bedraggled from sleep. She’s fully dressed in a tempting pair of jean cut-off shorts and white tank top that reveals the tops of her juicy tits. God, she’s so fucking hot.

“Where are you going?” I demand, sweeping my gaze back over her delectable body. When I notice the suitcase at her feet, all heat turns to ice. “Aubrey. What the actual fuck?”

“I’m leaving,” she says, lifting her chin in defiance.

I’m confused. Leaving where? “With Dad?”

Her eyes, red from crying all night, narrow. “What? No. I’m leaving Park Mountain.”

“By yourself.”

She nods, crossing her arms over her chest. Her nostrils flare, the nose ring glinting in the light, reminding me of a bull ready to charge. “Yep.”

“No, you’re not.” I bark out a harsh laugh. “Unpack your damn suitcase, leech. You belong here.” I stab a finger toward my room. “Actually, you belong in there. Stop fucking around.”

“I’m not fucking around!” Her voice is shrill and her eyes manic. “I’m a liability to everyone around me! Look at what happened with Aunt Tasha!”

I gape at her, stunned at how she thinks leaving will magically make all this shit disappear. “You can’t leave, dumbass,” I growl. “You’re safest here with me and Dad.”

“Until that freak hurts you too,” she chokes out. “I can’t let that happen. What if…What if he did something to Mom?”

Stalking over to her, I then shove the suitcase over on its side with my foot before grabbing onto her bare biceps. “That motherfucker won’t get a chance.”

“Let go of me, Spencer. I’ve made up my mind.” Bitterness in her tone makes her face screw up into a sour expression. “It’s done.”

“Fuck you, leech. It’s not done. This is bullshit!”

She struggles against my hold. “Don’t make me scream for Hugo!”

“You think he’s going to let you walk right out of here? You really are dumb.” I let out a harsh laugh. “Nah, Dad’s going to side with me on this one.”

Her face burns red-hot with fury and she tries to fucking bite me. Vicious brat.

“Dad!” I bellow. “Dad!”

“Stop,” she wails. “Just stop!”

I can hear Dad’s sneakers pounding the floors as he runs from his room to hers.

“What the hell is going on here?” Dad demands. “Spencer, let her go.”

“No,” I growl, turning so I can see him and manhandling her with me. “She’s trying to leave us.”

Dad frowns. “What? Where are you going? To see Tasha?”

“It’s not safe having me here,” she says, chin wobbling. “I need to leave to keep you both safe.”

“Not happening,” I grind out. “Sorry, leech. You’re stuck with us.”

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