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“Where the hell have you been?” He looks me up and down, disapproval written all over his face.
“Out,” I seethe.
Pushing from where he was leaning against the counter, he steps towards me. He’s trying to make me feel small, like I’m the child in this situation. It’s not working.
“This is not how you act under this roof, boy.”
“I think it is, Uncle.” I narrow my eyes at him, warning him about getting any closer. I’m more than happy to settle this thing with my fists if he’d like to lose.
“Do you have any ideas how many strings I had to pull, how much money I had to spend to get you into that school?”
“I didn’t ask to go there, to even be here. You instigated this.”
“Because it was the right thing to do.” He lets out a weary sigh. “The three of you deserve a chance at a future, a real future, after the childhood you’ve had.”
Memories flash through my mind like a fucking movie. Mom strung out on the couch while I attempted to cook dinner so my brothers wouldn’t go to bed hungry. Mom having her special friends visit and me having to take my brothers out in the rain just to get them away from what was about to happen, the noises that she would happily allow them to listen to in the other room.
Then there’s the most pressing issue. Our dad. The man who died all those years ago, leaving us with that fucking disaster of a mother while our dear old uncle turned his back on us.
He knew what our life was like, and he just walked away.
“Guilt,” is the only thing I say, and his eyes widen in shock.
“What? No. I’m doing this because you’re my family. Because it’s what you deserve.”
“Bull. Shit. I know, James. I know what you did. I know the hand you had in how our lives turned out. So if you think you’re ever going to get me on board with this little perfect life you’ve attempted to drop us into, then you need to think again. All this is you trying to rid your guilt. Trying to wash your hands of the blood you think is staining them. Well, newsflash, Uncle. I know everything. And rest assured. Revenge is the first thing on my list.”
The blood drains from his face as he swallows nervously.
“Yeah, you should look worried, Uncle. I’m coming for you.”
He’s silent as I back out of the room, our eyes locked in our silent exchange.
“It’s not what you think, Ace,” he cries as I disappear from his sight. “And stay away
from Remi.”
Shaking my head, I make my way up to my room to put on that lame ass uniform so I can get to school. This whole situation might be fucked-up beyond belief, but he’s right about something: my brothers deserve a chance at a future, and I’ll be damned if I’m going to ruin that for them.
Thankfully, by the time I’m hauled into the principal’s office for my dressing down for skipping the last two days, my hangover has almost subsided and I can see straight again. He either ignores the stench of alcohol I’m sure is clinging to me, or this place drives him to drink so much that he barely notices.
For the first time, I actually make it until lunch. Although it’s not because I want to be here but more that it’s easier to sit in class and stare at whatever I’m meant to be doing than it is to leave. I probably had two hours’ sleep last night on Cruz’s couch. Even without the hangover, I’m like a zombie.
I grab some food from the cafeteria before leaving as fast as I entered. Eyes drill into the back of my head the entire time I’m there. I can’t think of anything worse than being forced to eat in here.
With my lunch in hand, I walk around the building to find a quiet spot so I can be alone. Cole should be hanging out with the team as I made him promise me he’d do in an attempt to fit in, and I’ve no idea where Conner is. He’s probably trying to bag some poor unsuspecting girl with his bad jokes and even worse banter.
I shake my head at the thought of both of them. With my own drama and the distraction of Remi, I’ve not really checked in with them about how it’s going. Guilt floods me. They should be my priority right now, not how soon I can get back inside Remi’s panties.
I come to a stop around the side of one of the buildings when a familiar voice hits my ears.
“He’s really annoying,” Remi says, and I can’t help but smile. I don’t need to hear any more to know she’s talking about me, but, helpfully, she continues anyway. “And so bossy. But he gets me, I think. It’s all very confusing.”
I think back to yesterday and the connection that was between us. I’m about to keep walking to give them some privacy when her friend asks a question that freezes my body in place. “You like him, don’t you?”
My heart pounds wildly in my chest, although I’m not sure if it’s with panic or fear. Fucking hell, do I want her to say yes?
“Yeah, I think I do.”
