Page 7 of Swallow Your Sorries

Cheating!

I could use this to my advantage.

A grin slowly pulls at my lips as my mind processes what this could mean for me and Mum.

My trembling fingers fiddle with my phone to find the camera app and once it opens, I hit the record button.

Elle

It would horrify most people to see their father ploughing into anyone, much less their teacher, but I see this as my out. The one true excuse Mum needs to feel justified enough to finally leave Jarett.

His withholding money and spending it on gambling and beer isn’t enough either while we starve.Because, Ellie, he just needs some outlets to unwind.

His screams aren’t enough.Because he’s just blowing off steam from a hard day at work, Elle.

His destroying the house isn’t enough.Because those are just material items, Elle. They’re easily replaceable.

But cheating. It has to be enough, right?

Mum said that’s the one thing she won’t stand for, and finally, I have proof of something we both know has been happening even before my conception.

I lift my phone higher and point it at the pair, but the recording doesn’t make it past seven seconds before the boy rips it from my fingers and covers my mouth again. His free arm locks around my waist, lifting me off the floor.

“Mmm!”

I try to shake him loose, but it’s no use. He presses me tight to his chest and we silently retreat out of the locker room and back into the hall. But he doesn’t put me down. He drags me outside, to the back of the building.

“What the hell do you think—”

“Listen,”he snaps, his minty breath going straight down my throat as the tip of his nose bumps mine from how damn close we are. He’s bent over me, his knee sinking between my legs and pinning me against the brick wall. “You need to forget what we’ve just seen.”

“Excuse me?” I glare up at him incredulously. “I’m not forgetting shit. That’s my dad—Hey!”

He’s typing something into my phone. His number?

In seconds he sends himself the video, but when he goes back to the gallery on my phone, undoubtedly to delete it, it’s already locked.

“Give me the code,” he orders darkly.

A chill runs down my spine. It’s different from the others he’d given me in the studio. This one makes every hair on my body stand at attention because, despite the chill, there’s no heat running through my veins or tingles settling between my thighs this time. These are warnings, driving home the only logical thought I’ve had since meeting this boy.

He’s a stranger. Beautiful enough to be an angel or a demon.

I straighten and lift my chin. I know demons. I could be one too.

“Now,” he demands.

Who the fuck does he think he’s talking to like a damn servant?

“No.Give me my phone back.”

He raises it above our heads as if threatening to drop it. “Give me the code.”

“Who the hell do you think you are?!” I shriek, swiping for it, but he simply stretches his arm to its full height. Even on my tiptoes, I can’t graze it. “Give me my freaking—”

The last word doesn’t come out as air rushes from my lungs as his fingers lock around my throat like a vice grip. He uses his hold to pin my head against the bricks, and stars explode before my eyes as I try to escape, only to have him squeeze me harder.

“The code.Now.”

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