Page 108 of The Devils They Are

My eyes fall to the lingering girl, her hands nervously fidgeting with her cheer skirt.

"I'm sorry to hear about your mom," Peyton murmurs so quietly that I barely hear it. Without waiting for a response, she turns and follows her friends.

When they are out of sight, I face Rylan, annoyance on my face.

He looks at me, amused. "What?"

"Don't youwhatme," I say. "How the hell did they find out?"

Rylan's face drops, turning serious. "I didn't say anything."

"You better not have," I reply, still shaking with fury. Looking over my shoulder, I glare at the footballers. "Move."

They hesitate, peering over at Rylan. He must give them a look or nod because they quickly move, freeing Archie from the body cage they have formed around him.

As I go to step past him, Rylan grabs my arm, halting me. "I didn't do it, Bex."

"Let me go," I mutter sternly.

He releases me straight away, watching as I walk away with Archie.

Soph looks unsure if she should follow, gaze flickering between us and Rylan. Finally, it appears she decides to stay put, probably realizing that I need space to cool down from the clusterfuck that just happened.

I'll talk to her later about it. But right now, I need to get out of this hellhole.

I need to go somewhere quiet and peaceful.

Arch follows me to the doors, waiting for me to tell him what I need. Pausing on the front steps, I turn to him, allowing myself a moment to let my walls down.

"Go hang with Abby," I say softly. "I'm going to go to the beach for a bit."

"Are you okay?" he asks.

I nod. "I will be. But I need to leave before I commit a cheer-homicide."

Chapter thirty-nine

Bexley

Thegentle,lappingwateris exactly what I need to calm the storm exploding in my body.

There's not a single soul here except for me. Warmth still emanates from the sun even though it's high over the mountains on the other side of town.

My toes dig into the sand as I hug my knees, pleased that I found a tiny rock-free part to bury myself in.

I can't believe that Liv said those things. I have no idea how she managed to find out, but I shouldn't be surprised. Secrets never last—I learned that the hard way.

But what's even more shocking is the fact I kissed Rylan in the middle of the hall, in front of multiple witnesses.

I mean, sure—it had the desired effect. Liv was crushed and humiliated, and I'm not on the chopping block for expulsion. I haven't escaped the consequences of my actions though. People talk. That's never going to change. Everyone in both Cedar Heights and Willowbrook will know we made out. The fallout could be disastrous for all of us. And shit… if it gets back to Mayor Astor then things will really turn nasty.

Oh, well. It was worth it to see the look on her face. She walks around thinking she's better than everyone, that she can have anything she wants—people included. Clearly, Liv has never been told no in her life, and now, someone she deems trash has taken something that she wants. That has to sting.

I guess I was never destined to keep a low profile at Willowbrook.

The sound of a car door slamming shut pulls me from my thoughts. Glancing over my shoulder, I half expect to see Arch or even Rylan, but it's not.

My brows furrow as I watch him cross the parking lot before tiptoeing over the rocks.

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