Page 18 of Hate So Deep

She’s quiet while she contemplates my question and when I glance at her wide-eyed stare, I wince.

After a moment, she laughs, and says, “I don’t know. I’m too young to worry about that shit.”

“Yeah,” I say, forcing a chuckle before sipping my beer.

Maybe I am too young, but the damn weight clings to my soul anyway.

“Is this about your dad?” she asks.

“I guess.”

Caro knows our dirty secret. I tried to hold it in but eventually I spilled the beans and finally someone cared enough to give me the comfort I needed.

Although she had to get past her shock first.

“Maybe you should talk to him?” she says.

“Maybe,” I mumble. “C’mon, it’s too hot in here.”

I don’t know what to say. I approached my dad countless times, but the questions stuck to my tongue like glue, and I ended up backing away because some part of me didn’t want to hear him admit that he loves his second family more.

I’m not stupid. My parents hate each other but Mom has the money, and Dad works for the company she inherited from my grandfather.

He would lose more than us if he left her. So, what happened to push him out the door to another woman? Why won’t anyone tell me shit?

Once outside, I shiver at the abrupt change in temperature and pull my jacket close.

The summer passed in a blur while my parents pretended nothing was wrong and I hid in my room, hoping to avoid Mom’s wrath.

“Hey, Rocket,” Caro says, and he dips his chin.

I met Caro’s friend shortly after we started hanging out again. He’s cool but I know my mother would die if I dated someone like him.

I’m skating on thin ice now and I’d be in major shit if she ever found out where I’ve been partying.

However, I can’t deny that it’s nice to meet a guy who isn’t stuck on his hair or his fucking car and doesn’t look at me as the stupid bougie princess who doesn’t belong.

He’s not shy about showing his interest either and when he runs his hand down my neck, I shiver at the caress, unsure if I like the attention or not when he says, “Hey, pretty girl.”

“Hey,” I say, easing away.

His eyes darken but I’m spared from having to make up excuses when Caro says, “Uh oh.”

Following her gaze, I turn and stumble.

What the hell is Dirk doing here?

Of course, he looks fucking amazing, and I eat up his wide chest leading to tapered hips before perusing his arms stretching the material of his shirt, mercilessly.

A pretty blonde trails behind him and when Dirk’s eyes inevitably meet mine, he raises a brow.

For reasons known only to my treacherous body, a thrill rushes through me when his gaze drops down my feet and leisurely makes its way back to my face.

It further flames when his lips quirk and he cocks his head. I’m tempted to approach him and start over again because I can’t imagine ignoring the fire he ignites with a single look.

However, with Dirk comes Colt and it would be stupid to linger when I know my half-brother could appear at any moment.

With a tingle of disappointment, I turn away and smile pathetically at Rocket when he touches my waist.

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