Page 63 of Wrecked Rose

“I think so. If he can.”

Dad tilts his head to the side. “I didn’t realize you hung out with either of the Danbrook boys.”

“Well, Daph is dating Micah, and Micah is staying with the Danbrooks, so I’ve gotten to know them better in the last few months.”

He nods. “Got it. Well, if we can help at all, let us know. You know it pisses me off to hear that some kids are getting away with that kind of bullshit.”

“Yeah, I hear you, Dad. Thanks.”

Coincidentally, when I get to school, the first person I see on the way to my locker is Sam. I stride toward him, waving.

He gives me a little half smile and pushes off the locker he’d been leaning against.

“Well, I’m guessing by your face, you didn’t fall madly in love with the girl you went out with.”

He chuckles softly. “No, but we knew that wouldn’t happen. It was awkward at first, but once we got into the movie theater and away from her dad, who drove us, we actually got along really well. She’s a nice girl—like, if I liked girls, she’d be a good choice.”

“Go figure, right?”

“Yeah. So, I ended up telling her everything.”

“And that went …?”

“Fine. She actually guessed what the issue was before I could tell her. Apparently, I’m not hard to figure out. For anyone but my dad, anyway. She told me if I wanted to hang out as friends to get my dad off my back, she didn’t mind.” He shrugs. “Maybe I’ll take her up on it.”

I draw in a deep breath. He shouldn’t have to resort to doing stuff like that. My shoulders sag.

He seems to sense my mood. “Hey, it’s okay. You don’t have to have all the answers for me all the time.”

As he says that last word, Jack appears practically out of nowhere, and I don’t even have time to react before he slams his shoulder into Sam. There’s a horrible bang as Sam’s body careens into the lockers next to us, and he stumbles as he tries to right himself, then as he does, turns around to defend himself from whatever’s next.

Stunned by what’s happened, it hits me that Griff, Mitchell, and Daniel have skidded to a stop behind Jack. I frown, not liking this one bit.

Jack stands there grinning like the smug asshole that he is. “Stay outta my way, faggot.” His arm shoots forward to give Sam another shove. I step between them before Jack can touch him, and his blow hits me in the shoulder. His eyes flick to me, like he’s just realized I’m standing here, too. “What’s going on? Are you two making arrangements to meet in the bathroom later for a little cocksicle action?”

Daniel smirks and smothers his amusement behind his hands. My gaze narrows.Fucking douche.I knew I didn’t like him.

Jack can’t seem to stop himself. “You can stay the fuck out of my way, too. Tell your little butt buddy that he needs to stop staring at people.”

My eyes flick to Griff’s, and I become aware of the anger in his eyes. He’s visibly shaking with it.

“Jack. Fucking stop.” There’s a distinct growl to Griff’s words that gets Jack’s attention. “You’re way out of line here.”

Mitchell’s brow furrows as he stares at Jack in shock. “What the fuck is wrong with you, man?”

Griff grabs a fistful of Jack’s button-down and tie and gets right in his face. “You’re acting like a complete dick.” Griff’s chest rises and falls rapidly as he stares his friend down, nose to nose.

Jack’s face registers a certain amount of confusion at the turn of events. And he sure as fuck doesnotlike it. Scowling, Jack wrenches himself from Griff’s death grip, then turns, taking quick strides down the hallway when he realizes his like-minded asshole buddy Daniel has already slipped away, unnoticed.

On the one hand, I fucking love that Griff put Jack in his place. On the other hand, I hope he’s not creating problems that he doesn’t even see coming yet.

I look into Griff’s eyes and see only concern for us there. He looks from me to Sam, who is standing behind me.

“You guys okay?” At our nods, Griff exhales heavily. “And you’re Sam?”

Sam steps to the side. “Yeah.”

“I’m Griffin. You let me know if that asswipe bothers you again.” Griff holds out his fist for a bump and Sam glances quickly at me before he returns it.

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