Page 70 of Diesel

“I take it you two know each other.”

“Island, yeah, we have history. And my life just became so much more fucking complicated.”

“How?” I ask, he looks at me and opens his mouth and shuts it.

“You can trust me, Cuy, I won’t repeat anything that you say.”

He thinks it over for a minute. “I always told Blaine that I could protect her until senior year, and hoped that another guy caught her eye, and he would bid for her. Island was supposed to be the girl I chose this year. But some shit went down and she left. And her being back changes everything.”

“Well look at us,” I say with a laugh. “We make a great pair.”

Cuyler steadies my board and again making shit look easy, he pops up onto the same board as me, we are facing each other. “Maybe running away should still be an option.” He leans his head down, resting his forehead against mine.

“Why couldn’t it have been you,” I whisper. Falling for him would have been easier. But while I have fun with Cuy and he makes me laugh, he doesn’t make my heart beat wildly in my chest the way Diesel does.

Cuyler’s hands softly grasp my face and he leans in, placing his lips against mine, the salt from the ocean can be tasted as our mouths move together. I pull back and look up at him. “Anything?” He asks, and I shake my head no.

“As much as it pains me to say it, me either. We’re screwed.”

Isn’t that the damn truth.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Diesel

Fuck Sax, the guy is crazy. I don’t even know why the fuck my father didn’t send him away somewhere he could actually get some help. Maybe once upon a time we were inseparable, but the shit he did was getting dangerous. There is always something at stake, someone is always watching. Ruling over a school and playing games with girls is nothing. The fathers know how it is, they did the same damn thing. But Sax is dangerous, he could have killed Lux. I shudder thinking about it.

I scan the party, knowing damn well the weasel is here somewhere.

The Alphas are all in circles around a small pit that we made for ourselves, with a smaller fire in the centre. Sax sits amongst them with Cyrus by his side, her face lights up at something Cuyler says to her, making jealousy line the pit of my stomach, and I don’t fucking like it.

He hasn’t said anything to me about Island being back, which I know puts him in a shitty position this year. They were dating in secret before she left, his protection for Blaine is understandable, but he was supposed to make her find someone else this year. This year is endgame shit, futures are being decided. His parents would be pissed if he picked Island. Her mother and her both surf, and they are fucking wicked good. That’s where Island has been for the last twelve months, travelling with her mum and even made a few competitions herself. Her father is an agent for some high-profile athletes, including his wife. He went to school here, and he knows what goes on, yet he isn’t one to suck up someone's ass either.

Cuyler’s parents want him with Blaine because her mother is a very famous model, one that works with his mother at fashion shows. They want their children to keep the family businesses alive. Blaine is beautiful, there is no doubt about that, but she has the personality of a cardboard box if you ask me.

“Diesel, it’s about time,” Kelby huffs. Ever since the second she caught wind that I wasn’t pursuing Cyrus anymore, she is stuck to me like damn glue. I take a seat on an old log and Kelby perches herself on my lap. I lift my head, and Cyrus is staring straight at me, my jaw grinds together at my cousin's leg brushing up against hers. I can tell she is uncomfortable as she plays with the sleeve of her cardigan. She hates being so close to a fire.

Sax flicks his smoke into the flames, causing Cyrus to shiver. Wilder also throws some sticks into the fire and laughs at the flames towering over his head, if he stood any closer he would singe his damn eyebrows.

“Sit the fuck down,” I snap at him. Kelby startles in my lap, but I don’t give a fuck, she didn’t ask to use me as a seat.

“Hey, cous,” Sax calls from directly across from me, even though the fire is still big, I can see him just fine. “I was thinking, maybe I should move back into my room, you know Cyrus can bunk in with Emory, and it's a win-win for us all.”

“Like fuck you will,” I snap.

“Awe, don’t be a party pooper, it’s only fair since it is my bed after all. I’m super grateful that Cyrus has kept it warm.” He turns to look at her. “Don’t change the sheets before you leave.”

“Slut,” Kelby coughs, and Taleah giggles. Cyrus just looks down into her lap.

A loud pop explodes from the fire. “My bad,” Drixx says. “I threw my coke bottle in there with the lid on.”

I glance at Cyrus who has her eyes squeezed shut, and a tear slides down her face. She quickly wipes it away, trying to be brave, but she wasn’t fast enough to hide it from me.

I stand, pushing Kelby from my lap, and she falls to the dirt, her high-pitched bitching fills the air, but I don’t care to listen to what she has to say. I turn my back and go to one of the tubs that we keep our drinks in. I’m in luck, one is empty, only leaving water inside. I pick it up and take it back to where everyone is, they all watch me but no one says anything. Cyrus still has her eyes shut, gripping the end of her cardigan like it’s her lifeline. I tip the water onto the fire, it doesn’t completely put it out, but I spot Cuyler following my lead. He brings another over, and his load of water extinguishes the last of the fire.

“What the fuck,” Sax complains, but no one else would be stupid enough to question my choice. Even though I can feel them all watching me.

“What the fuck yourself, you moron.” He looks down at Cyrus and back to me, and a smirk graces his lips.

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