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She throws both notebooks into the fire, so I do as she asks—I beg, plead, and cry. I promise her anything that comes to mind to make her stop. But Peyton shows me no mercy because she has none to give. So eventually, all I can do is watch.

Watch her feed years of my life into the flames, one notebook at a time. Watch pages curl and blacken. Watch pieces of my childhood disappear forever.

Sometimes she doesn’t even bother with the fire. She tears handfuls of pages out and throws them into the air, laughing as they scatter across the dirt.

I keep begging through the whole ordeal until there’s nothing left to beg for. When it’s finally over, and the box is empty… so am I.

Sydney releases my arm first, then Amber, while Kayla steps away last.

Nobody needs to hold me down anymore. There’s nothing left for me to fight for.

Peyton wanted to break me.

And as I stare at the burning remains of every story I ever wrote, I realize she succeeded.

Not my spirit. She doesn’t get to have that.

But my heart?

That she broke.

“Come on, girls,” Peyton says, tossing the empty box at my feet. “Let’s go to the mill and celebrate.”

“Celebrate what?” Amber giggles.

Peyton looks down at me. “Winning.”

The others laugh as they start gathering their things, already talking about the party waiting for them at the mill.

I keep staring at the fire, unable to look at any of them.

But to my chagrin, Peyton isn’t done with me.

I hear her approach me where I’m still kneeled on the dirt but refuse to look up. I just stare at her shoes once they’ve stopped beside my knees.

As if needing the last word, she crouches and says, “Just one more thing.” Her breath brushes my ear when she leans closer. “If you tell anyone what happened here tonight, you’ll regret it.” She then grabs my chin and forces me to stare into her dead eyes. “You said it yourself, Max. We live right across the street from each other.” Her voice drops to barely more than a whisper. “I know when your dad is gone. I know when you leave for work. I know when you come home.” My heart begins to pound at the unveiled threat. “And most importantly,” she pauses for dramatic effect. “I know when you go to sleep.”

A cold sweat breaks out across my skin, but my gaze never wavers from hers.

“So if you’re thinking about running to Mr. Collins, or Principal Hargrove, or anyone else and telling them what happened here tonight, remember this…” She leans in again, her lips brushing the shell of my ear. “I’ll know.” She grins. “And with your daddy gone so much…” She gives a quiet little laugh. “It would be awful if he came home one day and found out something had happened to his precious daughter while he was away.”

My pulse explodes in my ears. “Is that a threat?”

Peyton stands to her full height, now looking down at me.

“I think you’re smart enough to have already figured out that I don’t do threats. Just promises.” Then she walks away.

I don’t move. I can’t.

Because she’s right.

Peyton can get to me anytime she wants. She doesn’t even have to wonder when I’m alone to do it. All she has to do is look out her fucking window.

Chapter 21

Wednesday

“And just where do you think you’re going?” I hear Sienna’s voice just as I reach for the lobby door.