Page 81 of Bitter Lies

But I still have a few things left to pick up, and so after my session with Dr. Marks, I head over, hoping no one will be there.

I’m still not sure what he said to my mom, but I can’t help the kernel of resentment because I never said I didn’t feel safe around Griffin, and for him to use those words was unfair.

But in this, I can only blame myself, which I do when I allow myself to think about it. Either way, I’m free, and even though the sick twisted part of me that loves Griffin will miss seeing his cranky-ass face, I’m relieved I don’t have to see Max.

The house is quiet when I enter, to my relief, and I head straight for my room and start bagging up shit, in no mood for my brother, but as I’m on my second bag, the front door busts in, and two male voices emerge.

Cautiously, I close the door, leaning against the wood when the voices pass, one of which I recognize as Max’s. Closing my eyes, I sigh and move back to my things, less careful about packing in my haste.

After a few moments, silence reigns before a racket breaks out that causes me to jump. Is he fighting with someone?

Beside me, the wall adjoining Griffin’s thumps, and worriedly I step to the door and peek my head out. There’s no sound from the living area, so I creep down the hall, hoping I’m not about to find Max getting high, but when I push the door open slowly, I’m more confused than ever.

Max is lying on his stomach over Griffin’s bed, with a guy standing behind him, and as the picture comes into focus, I realize they’re fucking,

Bewildered, I glance between them because, despite Miranda’s claims, Max has never so much as hinted about being gay or bisexual for that matter.

Maybe it shouldn’t, but it comes as a complete surprise, but even that shock is nothing when the guy having sex with my brother raises his head, and it’s none other than Jason fucking Macklemore.

My brother is having sex with my rapist, and apparently, my little stunt over Halloween didn’t hinder his sex life at all. A pity.

For a moment, I think no, maybe I need to help him. Maybe…and I gasp, stepping forward as my own experience claws at my eyes. But Jason looks up, his mouth curving into a smile as Max moans below him and says, “Harder, bro.”

My gaze drops to Max with disbelief as black dots dance behind my vision, and vomit surges in my throat. Turning hurriedly, I smack into a hard chest standing behind me, and glancing up, I find Griffin staring over my shoulder with a snarl on his face.

Before I have time to react, Griffin’s over the bed and pulling Jason off Max. Taken aback, I watch as Max turns over and gasps in horror as Griffin pounds his fist into Jason’s face.

“I’ll fucking kill you!”

Jason rears back, blood pouring from his mouth as he says, “What the fuck, man!”

“Yeah, what the fuck! You think you can rape a girl and get away with it!” Griffin says with a brutal baring of his teeth.

“What?” Max exclaims, pulling his boxers over his ass. “Griff, bro. What’s…what’s going on?”

I suspect Max is embarrassed by Griffin’s appearance during his sexual escapade with a dude, the pink tips of his ears an obvious sign, but I have no time to contemplate it because Griffin is still pounding on Jason.

“Stay out of this,” Griff barks, and Max steps back, running his hand over his face with a panicked expression.

Pulling Jason away from the wall, Griffin pushes him to the ground roughly and climbs on top of him, slamming his fist into his head before he’s even on the floor. Max goes to pull him away, and Griffin rears back, giving him a feral look.

“What the fuck are you doing?” Max asks.

Griffin tips his head back with a feral glare. “Taking out the trash.”

“Fuck you! I didn’t rape anyone! What the fuck are you talking about?” Jason yells.

“Really? You piece of shit,” Griffin bellows, glancing at me with eyes so black I don’t recognize him.

I step back hesitantly, my gaze drops to Jason as his eyes narrow, and he looks me over with a sneer, the sight all the more macabre because his teeth are stained with blood. “Wait. You think I raped Halsey? Is that what she’s telling you?”

“Don’t look at her.” Griffin growls, pounding his fist into Jason’s face again.

“Seriously,” Jason laughs, saying in a garbled voice, “Did she lie about the others, too?”

There’s an endless fucking pause before Griffin says in a strangled tone, “Others?”

“Yeah, man, me and my buddies,” Jason says.

---