Page 85 of Ransom

RANSOM

AGE 15

Islouch against a tree, trying to look casual while keeping an eye on Blair's date. My friends are passing around a bottle, laughing and shoving each other. I'm not here for them. I'm here for her.

That asshole Adam parks his truck at the edge of the ridge. Even from here, I can see the way he pulls Blair into him. My stomach churns.

"I'm gonna take a leak," I mutter, inching away from the group.

I creep closer to the truck, staying low in the shadows. The windows are fogged up, but I can hear muffled voices. Then Blair's voice rings out clear and sharp.

"No! Stop it!"

I don't think. I just move.

My hand finds the door handle, and I yank it open. Adam's stupid face gapes at me for a split second before I grab his jacket and haul him out. He stumbles, arms flailing.

"What the f?—"

My fist connects with his jaw before he can finish. Pain shoots through my knuckles, but I don't care. I want to hurt him, and if I have to hurt too, then I don't have a problem with that.

For Blair, I'll bleed. I'll take any amount of pain.

Blair climbs out of the truck, smoothing her braid like nothing happened. She crosses her arms and watches, face blank.

Adam manages to break free, spitting blood. He whirls on Blair. "Your psycho foster brother? Are you fucking kidding me?"

Before I can move, Blair's leg snaps out. Her foot catches Adam square in the balls. He doubles over with a strangled yelp, face turning an interesting shade of purple.

"Crazy bitch," he wheezes, crawling back to his truck. "You're both fucking insane."

The tires screech as Adam peels out, kicking up dust and gravel. I turn to Blair, heart pounding. "Are you okay? Did he?—"

"I'm fine," she cuts me off, voice flat. But her eyes meet mine for a moment, and I see a flicker of something there. Gratitude, maybe. Or understanding.

We stand in silence as Adam's tail lights disappear down the road.

Blair turns to me, her eyes narrowing. "Why are you even here, Ransom?"

I swallow hard, my mind racing. No way I'm admitting I followed her. "Just... hanging out with some guys from school," I lie, gesturing vaguely toward the group I'd left behind.

She stares at me for a long moment, and I feel like she can see right through me. But she doesn't push it.

"Whatever," she mutters, turning on her heel. "I'm going home."

I fall into step beside her as we head down the hill and across the field. The moonlight casts long shadows, and I can't help butnotice how small Blair seems next to me. In the past couple of years, I've shot up like a weed, but this last year, I've filled out too thanks to the school weight room. The top of her head is even with my nose now.

The silence stretches between us, broken only by the rustle of grass against our legs. I steal glances at her profile, trying to read her expression in the dim light.

"So... what happened back there?" I finally ask, unable to contain my curiosity any longer. "In the truck, I mean."

Blair shrugs, her braid swinging with the motion. "Nothing I couldn't handle," she says, her voice cool and detached. "You didn't need to go all caveman on him."

I bristle at that. "He was hurting you!"

"Please," she scoffs. "I had it under control. You saw how easily I took him down after you pulled him out."

I remember the swift kick she delivered and wince involuntarily. "Yeah, but?—"

---