Page 17 of Brutal Lies

“What does it matter?” I practically shout in his face. “I slept with him and Bryce, so what makes me better than him?”

“You aren’t a slut!” he shouts back.

My anger deflates when he says that out loud as if it were confirmation. I mean, I know I’m not, but I didn’t think the boys realized it. I thought every student pointed at me as if I were the cautionary tale. I’m what happens when you mix with the poor.

“Well, thank you.” I don’t know what else to say.

The sound of sirens starts in the distance, and soon they’re drowning out the rest of our conversation. Though we have little else to say, I want to stay outside with Wyatt and hope that he says something else decent to me. Maybe he understands that I’m not the troll that writes nasty notes about him.

We ignore the wail of the sirens until it’s on us. Blue and red lights flash across the side of the building as the cop cars race up to the side door. Teeny runs for the door and hurries inside as a few people slowly drift out to see the commotion. They start running in all directions when the police jump out of their cars. Hell bursts open in a split second, and the doors can’t hold back the wave of officers who rush inside the club.

Frozen, I watch as cops grab people trying to flee from the building, catching them easily like rats running down a one-way maze. I’m in full view until Wyatt drags me down to the ground.

Panicking, I pull my phone out and tap Nova’s number. Christ, pick up. Pick up! It goes to voice mail, and I tap in Derick’s number, but he’s not answering either. Wyatt peeks around the car and then covers my mouth with his hand. I try to wiggle away, but then I hear it. Keys jingle on a belt as whoever it is gets closer. A beam from a flashlight sweeps the ground as he holds me. My heart pounds faster than it ought to as I hold my breath and stay quiet.

Loud footsteps approach to the left, and the light sweeps the ground again—the light pauses on my foot. My heart leaps into my mouth, and I have to breathe, or I’m going to throw up. Shrieking from outside the club stops the footsteps, and they hurry away as people are dragged to waiting patrol cars.

I sigh deeply but quietly as we crawl toward a Camaro that’s parked farther away, and we’re able to look through the passenger side windows without being seen.

“Step against the wall with your hands up and place them on the wall!” a voice shouts above the curses and the screams.

“Astrid, we have to go,” whispers Wyatt.

I can’t stop staring as the cops start to handcuff and arrest people. My phone starts vibrating. I gasp with relief; it’s Nova, but Wyatt grabs it and shuts it off.

“They’ll hear it and find us,” he whispers harshly.

“Stop,” I snarl. I won’t leave no matter how hard he tugs at my shoulder. I glare at him, though I know he’s right. We should be gone. But I can’t leave without knowing Nova’s okay. Hopefully, I wait for her to show up safely, to find her way to me by the cars. Then we’ll sneak away together. I watch as more people are led out of the building, some of them cooperating but others not.

I cringe as the cops throw Inked on the ground when he tries to break free and bolt. His body contorts with pain as he’s slammed into the hood of a police car. The bright lights flash across his skin as he stares at the highway a few yards away.

I lower my head and pray for Nova to show up. I haven’t said a prayer since I was a kid and only hope I do it right. I feel pressure on my shoulder and look. Wyatt has his hand firmly on me as he stares through the windows. I follow his gaze and gasp when I see Nova.

She can barely walk on her heels as a cop shuffles her out of the building. She stumbles when her feet catch on the blacktop, and the cop yanks her roughly. Nova’s eyes flash as her mouth twists into a grimace. I pray again. Please, Nova, don’t fight back.

My prayer isn’t heard as Nova yanks her arm out of the policewomen’s grasp. Nova doesn’t run. Instead she yells at the woman as if she can argue with her. The cop reaches out, grabs for Nova, and misses. Nova takes off running, making it three steps before another cop grabs for her. Nova trips, and I can’t see her. Where did she go?

I gasp and jump to get up. I have to get to her. I have to stop them from hurting her, or worse. But Wyatt’s grip tightens on my shoulder, and I can’t break free.

“We can’t do a damn thing,” he hisses.

I look again, and a cop has grabbed the back of Nova’s dress and lifts her effortlessly until she’s back on her feet. Nova wobbles on her feet, and her face is bloodied. I feel pain shoot its way through me as I watch, doing nothing. Her wrists are yanked behind her back while Teeny struggles with two cops to reach her. Nova turns and screams as Teeny is slammed against the wall of the building and handcuffed. She’s escorted off to a patrol car as Teeny slides to the ground.

Grinder runs out the door, straight into the chaos, and freezes when he sees Nova and Teeny. His face contorts in anger as he shouts, “This is bullshit! Leave her alone.”

He’s shoved to the ground by a cop twice his size. His face cracks against the asphalt as the police cuff him too.

The cop shouts over the turmoil, “You’re under arrest!”

Feeling helpless and responsible, I hold my head. It was my idea to start a club. Did I really think we could do this without getting caught? The police never showed up at the Pit, and I realize I don’t know it all. I haven’t learned a thing.

Shit.

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