Page 88 of Imogen

“Should I call Landon?” Hope asks, keeping her voice low.

“No, we’ve got this,” Hayden promises. “Just get in the car.”

Zach throws his arms out. “You fucking broke up with me on our anniversary.”

“My birthday,” I scream. “It was my fucking birthday.”

“You got me kicked out of university,” he fires back, smouldering with resentment.

“Actually, I did that,” Hayden reminds him sweetly.

“Then you get me arrested,” he spits, briefly glowering at Hayden.

“You got yourself arrested,” I remark sharply, clenching my hands into fists.

“My parents are selling my house,” he argues.

“Boo hoo,” I snap when he drawers closer. “How did I not see how much of a pussy you are?”

“You fucking bitch,” he roars, taking a predatory step towards me.

Everything happens so quickly. I take two steps back, my heart racing, and he takes one forward. His face is contorted in rage, the veins in neck and temples bulging as he goes to grab me.

Hayden pushes him away, but he’s ready for it this time. And with force I didn’t know he had, he pushes her back. My breath hitches as she stumbles, falling to the ground with a thud.

And then I see what caused her to fall and the blood drains from my face. Fury vibrates through me as I step closer. “Are you out of your goddamn mind?” I scream, whirling on him.

“I… I…”

“You broke her goddamn fucking heel, you animal,” I scream and charge towards him.

He turns to run, but it doesn’t stop me. I jump on his back, grabbing his head in a choke hold. “You fucking dickhead.”

“Let me go, you crazy bitch,” he yells, and I notice Hayden slamming my boot closed, her feet now bare.

“Oh shit,” I whisper when I see her glitter painted bat in her hand.

When the fuck did she put that in my car?

“You broke my fucking heel,” she screeches, and I jump off his back as she swings the bat at his knees. He drops to the floor quicker than I do. “They are my favourite fucking pair.”

“Fucking hell,” he roars as the bat lands across his back.

“You think you’re a big man when you’re laying hands on a defenceless woman?” she taunts. “How big do you feel now?”

I wince as she smashes the bat across his arse. He smashes into the tarmac, his mouth open.

“Don’t ever lay your hands on a fucking Carter again.”

He spits dirt and stones from his mouth. “She’s not a Carter.”

She whacks the bat against his stomach. “Yes, she fucking is.” She spits on the ground next to him. “Let’s go.”

I follow, moving over to the driver’s side. “Don’t fuck with me again, Zach.”

“You still love me. You need me,” he remarks from the ground.

“I don’t need anyone,” I fire back.

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