Page 36 of Endgame

I cocked a brow before pulling out of my parking space. “Um, yeah? Why not?”

“Oh, no reason.” Blushing, she tucked tiny pieces of hair behind her ears. It was only then, when the long sleeve of her shirt slipped up, that I noticed the welts on her wrists. “I’m just not…I’m not the coolest person in the world to hang around with. I probably should have mentioned that before accepting the ride home, huh?”

“Says who?” I replied, pretending I hadn’t seen the marks on her wrists.

“Everyone that matters,” she told me with a heavy sigh. “I grew up in Ocean Bay. We, um, moved away when I was nine. When my family finally moved back, I was fifteen, and by then everyone at school had formed their own cliques and groups.” She worried on her lip again. “It’s not easy being the newbie.”

“No.” Frowning at her words, I concentrated on taking the right turns back to our road. “But that’s okay.” I turned and smiled at her. “Who cares if you don’t fit in here?” Shrugging, I added, “That just means you’re bigger than their small minds.”

“Sounds like you know what you’re talking about,” Molly offered quietly.

“I’ve moved around – a lot.”

We were quiet then until Molly said, “So this car is insane, huh? Is it a classic?”

I felt myself smile sincerely for the first time since I arrived. “Yeah. It’s a 1963 Mercury Comet convertible.”

“I wish I had a car.” She sighed wistfully. “My father is completely against the idea.”

“Why?”

“Wow, you really don’t know who I am, do you?” she whispered in a tone that resembled awe.

I frowned. “Should I?” Who was this girl? Should I know about her?

“I figured Rourke would have filled you in on who’s who in the town by now,” was all she replied.

“Rourke and I don’t exactly get along,” I bit out.Understatement of the century.

She smiled knowingly. “You mean he’s an ass.”

I laughed. “You could say that.” And more.A lot more…

“He’s not a bad guy, Mercy,” she offered then. “Rourke? I mean, sure, he has a really bad temper and has been in some trouble…but he’s not the worst of them. He’s actually a pretty decent guy.”

“The worst of them?” I asked. “Who’s them?”

“The cool kids,” she replied with a hint of annoyance. “Ocean Bay’s ‘it’crowd.’”

Oh my god!

Shaking my head, I bit back a groan. “Molly, tell me you’re not one of those girls who wants to be friends with thecool kids?” Casting a glance sideways, I winked, “Because if you are, you may need to rethink hanging around with me. I’m not exactly Rourke’s favorite person.”

“As if!” She laughed loudly. “No way. I’m just saying; Rourke’s one of the better ones. If you think he’s bad, wait until school starts back up and you meet the girls.” Molly shuddered at the thought. “They can be really…cruel, Mercy, and really territorial – especially Brittany Beckitt. Her and Ashley Thomas are the worst. Brittany’s the captain of the cheerleading squad and a real bitch. Her family are huge investors in Ocean Bay Academy – almost as big as Rourke’s family. Anyways, with the exception of Rourke, Daryl King, Bear Martinez, Reebo Rose, and Mason Starr – those guys are Rourke’s best friends and practically run the school – Brittany’s word is law. She and Rourke have been dating since middle school. Honestly, they’re more off than they are on, but she’s incredibly territorial of him.”

My heart sank into my ass. There was that Britt girl again. “What’s so great about thisBrittgirl?” I tossed out, hating the jealously in my own voice.

“You mean, apart from being physically perfect?” Molly shot back with a sigh. “She’s gorgeous, she’s rich, she’s from a well do-to family, and she’s captain of the cheerleading team.”

“Is that all?” I drawled sarcastically, feeling inferior for a brief moment before slapping the feeling away. What the hell did I have to feel inferior about? I didn’t even like Rourke.

“Oh, she also models.”

“Wonderful.”

Molly smiled and nodded. “But on the other side; she’s rude, obnoxious, bossy, extremely controlling, and a huge man-eater – not to mention loose, if you know what I mean. And she has a horrible temper.” Leaning closer, Molly said, “Last year, when she and Rourke were going through one of their off periods, he invited Tammy Guest to the homecoming dance with him. Brittflippedand attacked Tammy right there on the dancefloor. Ended up breaking her nose. For a skinny bitch, she’s freakishly strong. It was horrendous.” Molly’s eyes widened as she spoke and I had a hard time concentrating on the road when I was fully committed to this conversation. “The poor girl had to switch schools in the middle of junior year because she was getting so much hell from Britt and her squad of bitches.”

“What’s her problem?” I tightened my hands on the wheel. “They wereoffat the time, weren’t they?”

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