Page 75 of The Scars Within
Rhodes didn’t answer. He rummaged through a first-aid kit, muttering a low growl under his breath. After a moment, he grabbed some bandage wraps, and that’s when he turned to face me—revealing a busted lip and swollen black eye.
I swallowed hard, the sight of him hurt tormented me more than I expected. But it wasn’t just his injuries that gnawed at me—it was the question burning in my mind, the one I couldn’t shake.
I surveyed the cluttered space for something to occupy my hands. My fingers trembled as I reached for another first-aid kit. Snatching an ice pack from inside, I snapped it to activate the instant-cooling magic.
I held the ice pack toward him, raising my brows in silent question. Rhodes slowly closed the distance between us with two strides. His bewildering eyes beamed into mine. I rested a hand on the unharmed sideof his face while slowly pressing the ice pack to his injuries. He closed his eyes, exhaling what seemed like centuries worth of built-up stress.
I soaked in how ruthlessly beautiful he looked in the dim light, the shadows sharpening his features in a way that made my heart skip before I pressed the question again. “What was that, Rhodes?”
“What was what?” He didn’t even bother to open his eyes.
I inhaled, struggling to steady my breath. “You were kicking that guy’s ass out there. And then you just let him throw punches at you, without even trying to fight back.”
“Cory got the upper hand. That’s all it was.” His eyes snapped open, his voice firm and cold, as if daring me to challenge him further.
I narrowed my gaze, refusing to back down. “Don’t lie to me. I’ve never seen you look so distant. So angry. So vicious. The Rhodes I know wouldn’t have—”
He straightened, his body going rigid with an edge of something almost dangerous. “Maybe that’s because you don’t actually know me, cadet. Didn’t like what you saw? That’s on you for profiling me into whatever pretty image you wanted me to be.”
His words hit like an arrow to my chest. I lowered the ice pack, my anger bubbling up from deep inside, a roiling boil that I could no longer contain. He stepped back, lifting his chin and looking down at me with the arrogance he greeted me with on initiation day, his hands casually wrapping his knuckles.
“You saw nothing. I lost the fight. That’s all it was,” his voice flat and indifferent. “You can go now, cadet.”
My anger boiled over. I hurled the ice pack at the back of his head, it landed with a sharp thud against the floor.
He flinched, then grabbed his head, slowly turning to face me again.
“Coming from someone who has thrown a fight before, that was absolute bullshit, cadet.” I spewed venom with my words. Hoping it sinks into the correct wounds.
Not giving a damn about his response, I left.
Chapter 31
I was lying on my bed, propped up on my elbow, chatting with Cleo and Tatum as they packed their bags for the weekend. Then Laney burst into the room, grinning ear to ear, waving a letter in her hand.
“Pack your bags, Thorny-Pie! You’re coming home with me this weekend,” she cheerfully announced.
I nearly choked on my own saliva, caught completely off guard. “W-what?”
“My parents heard about what happened to Hogboom and sent a letter inviting you to come along with me if we earned visitation leave. They won’t take no for an answer,” Laney said, already packing her bags.
Stunned, I slowly sat up and began packing my own bag, too shocked to even ask questions.
But instantly intrigued with the idea of escaping from the Wylder boys.
Laney’s hometown, Lanorcoast, is an utterly charming place. Nestled just past Jysper—the Wylder brothers’ hometown—along the main road,Lanorcoast has a warm, cozy feel despite being larger than the village Rhodes had taken me to.
The town stretched out for miles, with buildings draped in ivy, lavender, and delicate white flowers. I couldn't see a shore, but the salty scent of the ocean filled the air, and I could hear the sound of waves crashing nearby.
A spacious courtyard sat in the heart of Lanorcoast, surrounded by a lively plaza of shops offering everything from baked goods and meats to home furnishings. A small clinic was nestled between a floral shop and what looked like a small restuarant.
Children darted around, playing tag with their furry companions, while families gathered at small, circular tables along the edges, their laughter and smiles creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
As the carriage rolled into the plaza, Laney waved at a man working a vendor table, then eagerly tugged my arm, urging me to follow her.
A few roads down, we arrived at a charming two-story home with a small but lovely front garden enclosed by a white picket fence. Laney pushed through the gate and ran up to the front door. Before she could even knock, the door swung open. An older man and woman immediately enveloped her in a warm hug.
I hesitated at the gate, a hollow feeling creeping into my chest. My throat tightened, making it hard to breathe. I didn’t want to intrude on their family moment. I kept my gaze on the ground, shifting my weight from one foot to the other. The sound of Laney’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts, and I looked up to see her waving me over. Slowly, I walked toward them, trying to shake off my nervousness.
