Page 54 of Only You
“He never stops,” Cason says again, visibly shaken.
“It’s not worth getting suspended,” Liam says, and I still don’t quite understand what his role is in all this. The poor kid got himself knocked out the last time these two were in aphysical fight. I thought for sure he’d stay far away from them both.
“Aw look, he’s watching out for his big tough boyfriend,” Blake mocks, and Cason growls, his hand tightening even further.
“Blake, shut your mouth,” I command. I turn to Raegan. “Do you know what this is about?”
She looks a little guilty, her eyes going to her feet and then back to me. “I could tell Blake was running his mouth, as usual, but I couldn’t hear anything from where I was standing. I only came over when I saw...” She shuts her mouth, and I realize why even before Cason completes her sentence.
“Before I grabbed this motherfucker.”
“See, he admits he started it,” Blake says smugly, and I swear to God, I want more than anything to turn my back and just let Cason beat the shit out of him. But I’m the goddamn principal, and I can’t do it.
Ethics won’t allow it, despite being that kid—that small, hungry kid who was never really settled or sure where his next meal would come from. That kid who was terrified of being violated. That kid who just barely escaped being raped over and over again by a guy who acted a hell of a lot like Blake does.
“Shut. Up,” I say to Blake and then look at Cason. “Cason, you need to get your hands off him, please. I don’t know what happened, but we’ll figure it out. You know I’ll listen.”
He scoffs at that, his jaw tightening. “Suspend me. I don’t give a fuck. I’m not staying here and listening to his bullshit anymore. He can’t get away with the things he says and does to people.”
My eyes catch Liam’s, and he looks away quickly. I suddenly understand this isn’t about Raegan anymore—well, at least not entirely. It seems Blake has found a new victim. “Liam, did something happen?”
His eyes meet mine, and I can tell he wants to be anywhere else. God, I was this kid. I mean, he lives with both of his parents and isn’t a foster kid, but he’s small in stature. Shy and quiet. Iwasthis kid. “Nothing important.”
“Bullshit,” Cason says in his direction, his eyes landing firmly on the kid. “Don’t do that. I told you not to do that.”
“Aw see, you two are adorable.” Cason looks back at Blake, locking eyes with him and not looking away. Cason looks murderous, and I don’t know if Blake is just stupid or that confident in himself, but my money is on Cason.
“Shut. The. Fuck. Up,” Cason seethes.
Raegan looks at me nervously and then at her brother. “He’s not worth it. Everyone knows he’s full of shit.”
“I know what I saw,” Blake taunts.
“You didn’t see anything,” Liam says, his words biting.
“Oh, I saw it, pretty boy.” I have no idea what they’re talking about—but I can take a guess. And seeing the way Cason looks at Liam and the way Liam is looking desperately at Cason, I’d say I’m right.
Shit. This is bad.
“Look, it doesn’t matter that you’re a cocksu—” Cason pulls him back and then slams him against the lockers with a loud bang, but Blake just won’t shut up. He laughs and then says, “Cason here seems to like you just fine. Maybe a little too much, but...”
“I said, shut up,” Cason says, using two hands to hold onto Blake now, and I have to intervene. I move my hands between both of them, just slightly pushing on their chests to get them apart. Cason goes, but not without a small struggle.
He finally releases him and throws up his hand. “He can’t use the fucking slurs he uses. There have to be rules about that too.”
Understanding dawns on me now. “He called Liam a name?”
“He always calls Liam fucked-up shit. Always talking.” Cason glares at Blake from over my shoulder. I’m facing Cason now, not really caring about Blake, who’s behind me.
“Cason, is that why you’ve been getting into fights with him?”
“Yes,” Liam says at the same time Cason says, “No.”
“Yes. It is,” Liam says, straightening his shoulders and locking eyes with Cason. “I told you I don’t need your protection.”
“And I told you he’s not going to talk to you that way.”
“Jesus, fuck. Why don’t you two get married already?” Blake says loudly, and I turn to look at him.
