I launch out of bed and run to flip the lock. I can hear his responding chuckle on the other side.
Asshole.
I know it wouldn’t stop him if he really wanted back in, but I do it anyway. It’s the illusion of control I’m after, not the promise.
The first tear slides down my cheek before I even make it back to bed. I crawl under the covers, curling into myself as the rest follow.
Axel’s not wrong. I am a risk. A burden. A liability.
The weight of the last week and a half crashes down like a wave, and utterly drained, I silently cry myself into a dreamless sleep.
Chapter 6
It’s my first day at my new school.
I spent all of Saturday and Sunday adjusting to life with the Harringtons. I explored the house and some of the surrounding property, but mostly, I kept to myself. I don’t want to wear out my welcome before it’s really began.
I ran into Axel and Johnny a few times going up and down the stairs. Our interactions were short, polite, and painfully awkward, but at least Axel hasn’t picked another fight since our first night showdown. So... progress?
When I wake up, the shower’s already running.
Twenty minutes later, it still is. I knock politely. No answer.
Wait five more minutes. Water’s still going. Then, I’m pounding on the door like the house is on fire. At this rate, I’m going to be late.
Thirty minutes after my alarm, I give up. No shower for me, I guess. It’s not the end of the world. I showered yesterday, and I keep most of my toiletries in my room. Deodorant, mouthwash, dry shampoo. All of the survival essentials.
Note to self: wake up earlier or claim bathroom priority by force.
I eye the outfit I laid out last night and frown. It doesn’t feel right anymore. After all, this is a new school. A clean slate. I should take advantage of my anonymity.
Here, I’m not the sheriff’s daughter. I’m not the girl everyone avoids because they’re scared of what Joe might do.Ben doesn’t seem like the type to harass my classmates or threaten boys for looking in my direction... at least I hope not.
After a few wardrobe changes, I settle on high-waisted, wide-leg jeans and a pale, yellow crop top that saysWILDFLOWERin retro lettering. I leave my curls natural, swipe on some makeup to make my skin glow and my lashes pop, and finish feeling like a ‘70s goddess.
Satisfied, I sling my purple backpack over my shoulder and head downstairs.
The first thing I see is Axel, sitting at the kitchen table with a smug expression anddry hair. My eyes narrow. The shower wasstillrunning when I left my room, but obviously, it couldn’t have been him in there. Was it Johnny? Wasanyoneactually in the shower?
Ugh. Boys.
I pour a cup of already brewed coffee and sit across from him, helping myself to an already cooked stack of pancakes. We don’t speak, but I catch him watching me more than once. Not hostile, just… curious?
“Morning, Lina!” Maryanne says as she bustles into the kitchen. Her silky blue blouse and neatly styled waves scream Monday morning professional.
“Ben wants to see you in his office before you leave for school. There’s no bus out here, so you and Axel will carpool.”
I glance at Axel for his reaction to this news.
“I leave at eight. Sharp,” he says flatly. “If you’re late, I will leave without you.”
Charming.
I offer him a mock salute and head to Ben’s office. He’s at his desk typing when I enter.
“Morning,” he grunts. “I have your new ID.”
He hands it over, and I give it a cursory scan.
