Page 157 of Mad As Hell

She stumbled back and I started to stand up to go to her. She held up a hand, her wild gaze darting around the room. “You all knew? And none of you said anything?” Betrayal glittered with tears in her eyes as her lower lip trembled.

Ash and Ryan stared at the ground, not speaking and complicit in their silence.

“Maybe you guys should go,” I suggested, trying to keep my voice even.

“No,” Bex said sharply. “I should go, since I’m clearly the outsider here.”

I winced. “No, you aren’t.”

“Maddie, I love you,” Bex told me, tears falling down her face, “but I’m also well aware that I wouldn’t even be talking to these guys again without you being with Ryan.”

“That’s not true,” Court replied, shaking his head desperately.

“None of you spoke a single word to me for the last eight years. Not until Maddie came here and forced you to let me tag along.”

Ryan stiffened. “Bex, that’s not how it was.”

“Really?” She stared at him, pain etched into her features. “Because where were all of you when I needed you, huh? You were supposed to be my friends, and then just decided I wasn’t worth the fucking effort.”

“We never—”

“Oh, shut up, Linc!” Bex whirled and glared at him. “You all did. I get it. I wasn’t as cool as you guys were. I was just the annoying little sister none of you wanted.”

“You’re wrong,” Court snapped, getting up with fire in his eyes. “There’s so much you don’t know, Becca.”

“And why is that, Court? Oh, right. Because none of you tell me shit.” Her gaze found me. “I need to go.”

“I’ll come with you,” I offered, taking a step forward.

Ryan grabbed my hand and shook his head. “Maddie.”

I pulled away and shot him a warning look. “You really don’t want both of us pissed at you right now, Ryan.”

“Actually, I want to be alone,” Bex announced, walking to the door.

“Dammit, Becca,” Court snarled, starting to follow her.

“Don’t!” She shoved at his chest when he got within range. “I don’t want you anywhere near me. Not now, not ever. We’re not friends, Court. We’re not anything, and I was so fucking stupid to think you cared about me.”

“I do care about you!” He stepped into her space and didn’t move when she pushed him again. “Becca, I was trying to protect you.”

“I didn’t need you to protect me.” A sob ripped from her chest, heartbreak in her eyes. “I just needed you to want me.”

Court staggered back, and Bex used the moment to slip out the door.

“Let her go,” Linc ordered when Court started to go after her.

Court spun, furious. “I can’t believe you fucking did that.”

Linc looked away, his jaw tight. “She needed to know.”

“Not like that!” Court roared and punched the wall, putting a nice, fist-sized hole in the drywall. His hand came away covered in white dust and blood.

“Jesus,” I hissed, getting up to grab a towel from the kitchenette. I tossed it at him with a frown. “You guys are assholes, seriously. Bex didn’t deserve any of that shit, and she did deserve the truth.”

“I get that she’s your friend,” Court started, wrapping the towel around his knuckles, “but I’ve cared about her a hell of a lot longer. You don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about.”

“Watch it,” Ryan warned from where he still sat on the sofa. “I get that you’re upset, bro, but do not take it out on Maddie.”

---