“I'm never talking to him again,” I say with finality. “I'm changing classes. I’ll take a different route to campus. Whatever it takes to never see that asshole again.”
I'm done with Scotty Hendricks.
Done with the butterflies in my stomach when he smiles.
Done with believing anything he said.
Done with letting him close enough to eviscerate me.
“Laura—”
“No,” I snap. “I mean it. I can't face him after this. I can't face anyof them.”
She studies me for a moment, then nods. “Okay, well, I hope he doesn't know what to do with that donkey dick of his and he has lackluster orgasms for the rest of his life.”
She says it with such ferocity, I know she means it. “Remind me to never get on your bad side.”
“You never could.” She squeezes my shoulders. “You're the only person who puts up with the idiots next door, and you're my best friend. That always counts for something.”
I nod gratefully, placing my hand over hers. “Thank you for always being there for me.”
“Ditto.”
Sighing, I say, “I think I'm going to try to sleep.”
“Good idea.” She gives me one final hug before heading to the door. “I'll be right downstairs if you need anything. Goodnight, Laura.”
“Night, Lyss.”
When she’s gone, I curl into a ball beneath my blankets, drowning myself in the darkness. I don't want to see anything that reminds me of Scotty, and unfortunately, my room is full of constant reminders.
The book, my dress, our study notes…I can’t. I just can’t.
I close my eyes, letting the tears fall, but trying my best not to make any noise. The last thing I want is for Lyss to come in here and comfort me again. I try to fall asleep, but every time I do, the memory of their laughing faces comes to mind. Humiliation burns in my chest, the betrayal cutting so deep, I don't know how I'll get over it.
I hear Lyss open the front door, and some muffled arguing—her and Aiden, I assume, since he's always bugging her. That little piece of normality gives me enough of something to latch onto, and I finally manage to fall asleep.
Tomorrow will be better.
It has to be.
Chapter 13
Dad:Happy Birthday, Son! You and your sister are everything good in this world, and you make your mother and me so very proud. We love you.
My jaw clenches as I read the message from him. Happy birthday? Happy fucking birthday? Does he even know what he did? What he helped do to me?
Dad:I hope the team threw you a great party. Erik mentioned he was throwing you one yesterday, and I couldn’t let the chance to film go to waste. Coach McKibbon and the rest of your teammates signed off on it. I hope you don’t mind.
I start typing, ‘I do fucking mind, Dad. I didn’t ask for this.’
A message comes through before I cansend it.
Dad:I asked Jerry to send me a few clips, but he said there were issues with the lighting, so we won’t be able to use it for the show.
Yeah, there were fucking lighting issues. Those issues were me threatening Jerry multiple times until he agreed to lie to you and ensure that footage never gets seen. He’s not using Laura. Not for this. Though I highly doubt they’d get Laura’s permission to show it since she left the center crying.
But if there’s even a hint of that party showing up on that stupid show, I will fucking burn it all down. I will make everyone’s life a living hell, just like the one they made mine.
