Page 5 of Free Fall

“Even so,” Mr. Dade continues. “Reid has asked that she not be punished for what happened, but I’m afraid I can’t abide by that. She’ll have to serve after-school detention for two weeks.”

My mother’s fingers grip onto the armrests. “Of course. I completely understand.”

I can feel her eyes lasering into me, but I avoid her look like the plague. Tonight will not be a fun night in the Page household. Not that any night has been all that great since Brady’s death.

After that, they continue to talk about me like I’m not even there. My mother asks if I’ve seen the school counselor yet even though I don’t have study hall until the last period of the day. She should know this. I’ve told her only about a hundred times since she set the appointment up for me after I was dragged back home. They’re all worried I’ll run away again.

They should be.

“I think that’s perfect,” my mother says, her tone clipped. “She can talk about what she’s done with Ms. Lyons and then she can think about what she’s done while sitting in detention. Right, Briar?”

I nod.

The accusatory eyes have gone, but what’s replaced them is sometimes worse. They’re her sad eyes. The eyes that wonder what’s gotten into me lately.

Honestly? I’m just fed up with everything.

After that, Principal Dade tells me I can go to class while my mother hangs back to talk to him. It doesn’t matter to me. I’m sure my mother will have plenty to say to me tonight. I’m only getting a few hours leeway on the scolding that’s sure to come in private.

I grab my bookbag from the chair I’d been waiting on out in the sitting room and head back into the hallway. The football banners and streamers are everywhere, making my gut clench. My teeth gnash together. I seriously can’t get away from any of it.

Because it’s in the middle of a period, there’s no one in the halls. I glare up at one of the signs that says SPRING HILL TOUGH in block letters. Part of the cord it’s strung up with his hanging down next to the wall. I set my bag down and jump at it. I land without the cord, so I jump again. This time, my fingers just graze it. I make an annoyed sound in the back of my throat and jump again. My fingers find the cord, but at the same time, strong hands pull back on my hips. I let out a yelp and then I’m tripping over my baggy sweats and hit the ground hard on my ass.

I stare up at the fiery green eyes of Reid Parker. “Just what the hell do you think you’re doing, Briar?”

I push myself to my feet. “Tearing the fucking sign down. What does it look like?”

He shakes his head at me. “Is that what Dade and your mom dismissed you to do? Rip the football sign down?”

I blink at him. I don’t even know why I’m even standing here answering his questions. I don’t owe him shit. I stretch my arm around him to get my bookbag, but he steps in the way. Reaching out, he grabs a few strands of my hair and sneers at them.

I yank my head away. “Don’t touch me.”

He glowers. “When did you turn into such a little bitch?”

I smile at him. Of course, he would think that. I don’t fall at his feet, so that must mean I’m a bitch. “I guess it’s always been begging to get out.”

“Well reign it in. We’ve all had enough.”

“Oh God.” I smile. I legit smile. “This is hilarious. You know that, right? I mean, you can feel it, too, can’t you? The ridiculousness of it. I don’t know how many times I need to make this loud and clear but let me do it again. Don’t touch me. Don’t come near me. I don’t care about you or Lex or Cade or anyone else for that matter. If my bitchiness offends you so much, look the other fucking way.”

He growls low in his throat. He sets his hands on my shoulders and pushes me until my back’s against the wall. “Grow the fuck up, Briar. Get your shit together. Dress for school. Take a fucking shower. And for God’s sake, dye your hair back. Your mother’s a fucking mess, and she doesn’t need you acting out like this just for attention.”

I raise my hands to shove them into his chest, but he easily plucks them out of the air.

“I’m not messing around. I’ll make your life a living hell if you don’t get your shit together. You think you don’t want anything to do with the football team now? You wait. You’ll be on the sidelines during every fucking game and practice. I won’t let you out of my sight.” He tosses my hands aside. “And that’s a promise. Do you understand?”

The bell rings above us as I glare at him. His words sink into me. With the steady heat of his eyes, I know he means every single word he says. I’ve seen him use his will over people my whole entire life. I’ve laughed with him and my brother, but that’s all been in fun. It was just a little teasing. It was a way for us to get exactly what we wanted. This time, he’s gone too far with someone who gives no fucks.

He wants me to bring the old Briar back, but I can’t. She’s gone for good, and you know what, I don’t even miss her.

I loathe the person she was. I hate that she lived for approval. That she did extra credit to stay at the top of her class. She lived in a bubble is all she did. That bubble called Spring Hill. She didn’t understand anything in the outside world.

The hallway starts to fill with students. People slap Reid on the back, and every time it happens, it’s like someone slides a blade a little further into my heart. Why my brother? Why not someone like Reid?

“I’m not afraid of you, Parker.”

For a second, he’s taken aback, but then the creases in his face deepen as his lips thin. “Why are you so determined to ruin your family?”

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