Page 54 of Genesis

“His dad runs a construction crew, and he got me a job.”

“Cool.”

He shrugs. “I like it. Makes me feel good to know I’ve helped build someone a home.”

I smile. “You’re such a great guy, Samuel.”

He looks down at me. All the O’Brien boys are tall. I feel so small next to them. We head down the hall to the school gym where I already hear basketballs being dribbled.

“So, you and Danny been hanging out a lot?” he says.

“Yeah,” I reply.

“You two a couple now?”

I shrug. “Maybe.”

“Maybe?”

“It’s complicated.”

His brow furrows. “Why is it complicated?”

I exhale. “I don’t know. It just is. Danny’s—”

“An asshole?” Samuel says as his eyebrows rise.

I smirk. “He can be.”

We stop before we walk through the doors of the gym and he looks at me. “Look, it’s none of my business, and he’s my brother, so that means you’re off-limits to me now, but you should be with someone who’s got a better future for himself. We both know Danny hangs out with a tough crowd.”

“He does,” I agree. “But I care about him.”

“He cares about you, too, but so do I. Just be careful, Bexley. I’m always here if you need me.”

“Thanks.” I smile. “You better go in. I’ll be on the blenchers.”

He nods.

I watch Samuel jog into the gym with the rest of his team, thinking about his words.He cares about you, but so do I.

I love Samuel for that. He’s so sweet. I head in myself, watching the guys practice for a bit before I get my books out and do my homework.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Bones

Nine days missing

“Where the fuck is she?”

I’m jolted awake from sleeping with my head against the wall. The stranger barges into the cabin, his heavy boots hitting the hard floor.

“Calm the fuck down. Like she could go anywhere,” I say with an eye roll. Damn, I need a smoke, and a drink would be nice. “Hey, why don’t you bring me a pack of cigarillos next time you come, yeah?”

The man stalks toward me. Raring back, he punches me in the face. Not once, but twice and I’m out.

Chapter Twenty-Four

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