Page 62 of Boots & Scars

We reached the car, and I opened the door for her before sliding into the driver's seat. She settled in beside me, still holding onto my hand as if letting go would mean losing everything.

"You good?" I asked quietly.

She nodded, though her eyes betrayed how far from okay she really was.

"I need to take care of something," I said, turning to her. "You need to grab a set of clothes if you're going to stay with me. Meet me at the rink when you're done, got it?"

Everly nodded once, her grip tightening on my hand. She pulled me closer, her eyes soft but resolute. "Thanks, Cooper," she murmured, voice barely audible.

"Don't thank me," I said, my tone harsher than intended. "I'm not a good guy."

"No," she agreed, closing her eyes. "You're the best guy."

My breath caught in my throat. Why did she have to say things like that? She didn’t know me—not really. I wished she would stop looking at me like I was some kind of hero. I wasn’t good. One day, she'd see the truth.

"Just get your stuff," I muttered, pulling my hand free from hers gently.

She nodded again and once I pulled in front of the Arctic Tundra dorms; she stepped out of the car. I watched her walk away, feeling a pang in my chest that I couldn’t quite place.

I gripped the steering wheel so tight my knuckles turned white. The anger coursed through me like a wildfire, consuming everything in its path. I couldn't think straight, couldn't focus on anything but the rage. I needed to find Zach, and I needed to make him pay for what he'd done to Everly.

I pulled up to Frat Row, my tires screeching as I came to a stop. I didn't bother to park properly; I just left the car haphazardly on the side of the road. I stormed up to the frat house, my fists clenched at my sides. I pounded on the door; the sound echoing through the night.

One of the frat guys answered, his eyes widening in surprise when he saw me. "Hey, aren't you Cooper Sinclaire?" he asked, his voice laced with awe.

I didn't bother to respond. I pushed past him, my eyes scanning the room for any sign of Zach. People whispered as I moved through the house, their voices a low hum in the background.

"Isn't that Cooper Sinclaire?"

"What the hell is he doing here?"

I ignored them all, my focus solely on finding Zach. I moved from room to room, my anger growing with each passing second. Finally, I found him passed out on a mattress in one of the bedrooms. I didn't hesitate. I grabbed him by the collar and dragged him to his feet.

"What the fuck?" Zach slurred, his eyes barely open.

I didn't say a word. I just started hitting him. My fists connected with his face over and over again, the sound of each punch echoing through the room. Zach tried to fight back, but he was no match for me. I was fueled by rage, and I wasn't going to stop until he was nothing but a bloody mess on the floor.

I could hear people shouting in the background, but I didn't care. All that mattered was making Zach pay for what he'd done to Everly. I hit him again and again, my fists a blur as they connected with his face. I could feel the bones in my hands cracking, but I didn't care. The pain was nothing compared to the anger I felt.

I kicked him this time, my foot connecting with his ribs. He groaned, curling up into a ball on the floor. I didn't care. I just kept kicking. Each time my foot hit him, it felt like a small victory. Like I was taking back some of the power he'd stolen from Everly.

I kicked him again, this time in the stomach. He gasped, trying to curl up even tighter. But there was nowhere for him to go. I was relentless, my kicks coming faster and harder. I wanted to hurt him. I wanted to make him feel the pain he'd inflicted on Everly. I wanted him to know what it felt like to be helpless, to be at the mercy of someone stronger than you.

I kicked him again, my foot connecting with his face. I felt something crunch beneath my shoe, and I knew I'd broken his nose. But I didn't stop. I just kept kicking, my breath coming in ragged gasps as I tried to contain the rage inside of me.

I could feel the hands on my shoulders, pulling me back. I struggled against them, trying to break free. I looked up to see a group of frat guys holding me back, their faces twisted in anger.

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" one of them yelled.

I didn't say anything. I just glared at Zach, who was now lying on the floor in a heap. I could see the fear in his eyes, and it only fueled my anger further.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. I could feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins, making my heart race. I looked around the room, my eyes landing on a group of girls who were staring at me in horror. I could see the fear in their eyes, and it only made me angrier.

Had they known?

Or were they victims too?

I pushed past the frat guys, my fists still clenched at my sides. I needed to get to her, to Everly. I stormed out of the house, my breath coming in ragged gasps.

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