That didn’t mean I’d take the hit lying down. I didn’t know what had gotten into me. Was it when I’d taken yet another kicking from my twin? When Dominic had goaded me about my lack of a sex life?
Or was it how casually he had Max’s back? Max, who didn’t even need his protection or support, but could count on it always.
Whatever it was, it had me meeting Dominic’s gaze coolly. “He’s right. It’s not really my scene. Slumming it in a field for two days with a load of high and pissed-up twats? No thanks.”
Mum squeaked, her hand shooting up to her neck. “Alcohol? Drugs? Boys, tell me he’s joking.”
Mission accomplished.
I shovelled the last few mouthfuls of dinner into my mouth and chewed as fast as I could. The fallout was happening already,with Mum turning puce at the mere idea of Max and Dominic being within five miles of anyone getting high. Hilarious given the estate we lived on. Our home might be stable and drug free, but that wasn’t the norm in these parts.
Max, meanwhile, was arguing back, shooting a furtive look at Dad every few seconds, careful not to push it too far.
And Dominic? He was watching me. Probably planning some petty revenge. Like I gave a fuck. It’d hardly be worse than what I put up with from everyone else on a daily basis.
As soon as my plate was clear, I shoved my chair back. “Thanks, Mum. Can I be excused?”
Mum waved a hand at me, too caught up inMax to pay any attention.
I took the stairs two at a time, heading for the sanctuary of my bedroom. I’d just flopped back onto my bed when I heard heavy steps thudding up the stairs.
Great.I should’ve known Max would have something to say about me messing with his plans. Not that he needed to worry. He’d get his own way.
He always did.
But when my door was opened, it wasn’t Max standing there.
I propped myself up on my elbows and scowled at Dominic. “It’s rude to open a door without knocking.”
He leaned against the door-jamb, studying me intently. “That was a dick move mentioning the drugs thing.”
“So was how you and Max were acting about the mere idea of me going with you.”
“Do you have to ruin everything for Max?”
My jaw dropped. “What did you just say?”
“You heard me,” he drawled like he was bored. “You get the grades. The parental love. You have your whole future mapped out for you. You’re the golden boy. Why can’t you let Max have this?”
I gaped at him. He wasn’t serious. He couldn’t be.
When I finally found my voice, it was more furious than I’d ever heard it before. “Are you taking the fucking piss? That twat down there has iteasy.”
For some reason I was on my feet stalking closer to him. I had no idea what I was doing. This wasn’t how I behaved. I didn’t stand up for myself.
But with Dominic, I was.
I jabbed my finger into his chest hard. “Max is popular. He swans through his days like it’s a breeze. EveryonelovesMax. He gets all the friends, all the girls. He’s living a charmed fucking life as far as I’m concerned.”
Dominic’s lips twisted cruelly. “Of course that’s how you see it.”
“I see it that way because it’s the truth,” I hissed. “He constantly fucks up and never has to pay the price. You know who does? Me. That’s fucking who. Max has no idea what…”
Shit.My voice trailed off in horror as I realised what I’d inadvertently revealed. The shame and weakness I definitely didn’t want Dominic knowing about.
I turned, giving him my back. “Just piss off, Dominic. I don’t know who the fuck you think you are to lecture me about Max, and I don’t really give a shit. Maybe you should consider the idea that you’re not the one seeing things how they really are.”
Strong fingers wrapped around my biceps and hauled me around. The abrupt movement had the bruised muscles in my back protesting.
