Page 16 of Hate So Deep

When he stands, Finn grabs his arm and says, “Colt…”

My heart clenches when he glances at her and the coldness evaporates before he meets my gaze and says, stiffly, “Look, this is weird for all of us. Maybe you could stop being a bitch.”

Backed into a corner, the only thing I know to do is attack and pushing to my feet, I say, “I’mbeing a bitch? I don’t even want to be here.”

“Then go,” he says, and I turn away, meeting Dirk’s dark stare.

When his brows flicker, I walk stiffly from the room and slam my hand on the back door, before exiting into the darkness.

Stupid move, I suppose because the ache in my palm which finally died down surges back in full force after I spent twenty minutes picking glass out of my hand.

Whatever, I welcome the fucking pain because this I understand. What happened in there…not so much.

Tipping my head to the stars, I admire the brilliance so at odds with my rage and sigh before sitting down on the steps.

The cool wood sends a shiver up my ass, but I have no intention of going back inside anytime soon. I’d rather freeze to fucking death.

This isn’t how I envisioned my life. Of course, who would?

My brother is a fucking vegetable, and I’m supposed to accept the kick to the face that is my dad’s new life knowing he moved on easily enough.

I don’t fit here. I don’t fit anywhere.

I know I’m being an angry bitch but seeing their peace brings out my ugly because I have none. It’s gone.

When the air displaces behind me, I glance up and roll my eyes to the sky, muttering, “Let me guess. I’m being a spoiled brat.”

Dirk sits beside me and tips his head to the moon. He’s quiet long enough that I begin to squirm before he says, “You’re only making it worse.”

“How can it be worse?” I mumble.

“If the goal is to make them all hate you, you’re doing an awesome job.”

Turning to him, I say, “As opposed to what? One big happy family?”

Raising a brow, he touches my wet cheek and says, “Is that so bad?”

Wiping away the evidence of my tears, I shake my head. He doesn’t get it. None of them do.

“They’re not my family,” I whisper. “My family is gone and my dad’s in there playing house.”

“He is baby girl. You know why? Because that’s what you do. You think your mom wants you to spend your life angry?”

Although my skin warms under the caress, I stand with a bitter laugh and rub my face before saying, “Yes, actually she does.”

There’s a pregnant pause before Dirk too stands. His dark eyes glitter when they search mine. Finally, he says, “Is that what you want? To be like your mother?”

“What are you, my therapist?” I spit and his brows drop over his eyes.

“Here’s the spoiled brat,” he growls. “Newsflash Lauren, you’re not the only one whose family broke apart. You just refuse to fix it.”

The brutal burn of resentment fills my veins, and I step back, saying, “Fix what? Everyone has already left me behind.”

Chapter 6

THEN

Lauren

---