Page 13 of Hate So Deep

Dropping his hand, his eyes move to my shredded band t-shirt and ripped jeans before his lips curve once more and he says, “Good. Academy dicks wouldn’t want you here.”

When those pretty dark eyes meet mine, I stiffen at the icy look. I know I don’t belong, but I’m also not one to back down.

It’s not in my nature and slamming my hand on my hip, I say, “What the fuck does that mean?”

His brows rise and he holds up his hands, palms out, but I see the glint of amusement when he says, “Settle down, baby doll. I’m sure they don’t like to share. I know I don’t.”

“I’m not a fucking thing,” I sneer and his brows furrow before he turns away.

Annoyed that he’s dismissed me, and I’m forced to speak to his back, I mutter, “I don’t answer to Academy or anyone else.”

He shakes his head but keeps going, and after a moment of staring with sheer frustration, I spin and follow Tori to the car.

At the front of the house, I glance back though and my stomach lurches when I find Dirk watching me go.

Does Dirk know about me…us? Did Colt tell him?

I can’t tell from his brooding expression, but it was probably a mistake to come.

What did I hope to do anyway? It’s not like I was going to march up to Colt and introduce myself.

Chapter 5

NOW

Lauren

Thank fuck I was able to avoid any further interaction after the wretched thanksgiving meal but I’m now dreading the next event because god help me, I’m not sure I have the patience to decorate their fucking Christmas tree.

I think I feel the flu coming on.

When I come downstairs for breakfast the next day, Mom is gone of course, and since I’m hungry, I grab a snack from the kitchen before hiding in my room.

Although the last thing I want to see is my brother die, I can’t help but wonder if it isn’t cruel to keep him here when per the doctors, he will never truly live again.

It’s even worse for Mom who sits by his bedside, slowly losing another piece of herself.

Meanwhile, I spend my days alone in this achingly quiet house wishing that the woman would come home and acknowledge that I too, am hurting.

Of course, when I try to reach out, she rebuffs me and after staring at her text for twenty minutes trying to figure out what the fuck, I did wrong in my life to deserve this shit, I finally set it aside.

Later, it’s past midnight when my stomach grumbles and I head downstairs to grab a snack. Darkness greets me as I move down the hall and a trickle of awareness slides down my spine.

Bypassing the living room, I peek around the wall, but Mom’s room is dark. She could be asleep but something about the vibration in the air sends me toward the kitchen.

It’s equally dark and quiet and since I’m no longer hungry, I turn back to the stairs, but every step up pulls at my chest and as soon as I reach the top, I lean against the wall and close my eyes.

I’ve been avoiding reality but now walking down this stark, cold hall, I acknowledge that I was so incredibly stupid that night.

I put myself in danger and for what? Dirk doesn’t give a shit about me.

This is real life shit. Look what happened to my damn brother.

If I hadn’t gotten drunk and insisted on going to another party when the only place I should have been going was home, I wouldn’t be wondering what the fuck happened that night.

Clearly, I was roughed up but when and why? Who’s blood stained that freaking shirt and my freshly washed sheets?

“Fuck,” I mumble before continuing down the hall.

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