Page 156 of Driftwood Daffodil 2

“I’m amazed that they didn’t get syphilis from touching your car.” Kendall spat back.

“I wrap my shit.”

“Like that matters. You’ve seen more pussy than I have, and I’m a cheerleader.”

Atlee’s brow rose. “Cheerleaders flash each other vag?”

“No you idiot.” Kendall scoffed. “We share a locker room.”

The corner of his mouth curled. “So you do flash each other.”

“Oh my god, you’re hopeless.”

The two of them continued to argue while I studied Kendall. Originally she was supposed to marry Atlas. Did she know him? Yeah, she was young when the arrangement was made, but that didn’t mean she hadn’t spent any time with him.

“Hey, Kendall.” I called out, interrupting their sibling dispute. “Did Atlas ever spend any time with you?”

Both Atlee and Kendall eyed me for a second before she answered.

“I was underage. He wasn’t allowed to spend time with me.”

“That doesn’t mean he didn’t.” My brother wasn’t one for following the rules, and judging by the look on her face, I’d say my assumption was right.

I wasn’t the only one who picked up her hesitation. Atlee also tipped his head.

“What?” She sang at both of us.

“What do you mean what?” Atlee asked back. “This is the part where you say no. You didn’t spend any time alone with Atlas.”

“Sure.” She gave Atlee a sweet smile. “But that would be a lie.”

So, she did spend time with Atlas. The way he talked about her, I knew he couldn’t stay away. As far as my brother was concerned, Kendall Fiore was the ultimate prize. Not that I could blame him. She was gorgeous.

If I hadn’t grown up with her brother, then I’d have probably put a name in the hat for marriage. At least she listened, which was more than I could say for other people.

“What!” Atlee slammed his palm down on the roof of the Beemer. “You better tell me right now that he never touched you.”

Even I knew that she couldn’t tell him that. “He tried to rape you, didn’t he?”

It hurt just to say that. Like I was betraying my brother or something, but deep down, I knew it was true. Any doubt I had about that thought disappeared the second Kendall’s eye met mine.

“He tried.”

I was really hoping Kendall would tell me something else. Because if Atlas couldn’t respect the most basic bonds of a betrothal, then why would he respect the bonds of blood? I felt sick. Atlee was pissed.

“WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU MEAN HE TRIED?”

“I mean, he tried.”

“Kenny?” Atlee sang.

She returned her brother’s expression with a sneer. “Despite what you think, I can take care of myself. The scar on Atlas’s forehead proves that.”

The scar? “He got that in a bar fight.”

“No.” She looked over at me. “He didn’t.”

Huh? I had new respect for Kendall. Atlas wasn’t easy to take down or detour. That was something I admired about him. Or I used to. I also used to think that my brother would do anything for me. Now, I didn’t know what to think. Should I hate Nova? Should I not?

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