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“What did you say?”
“Listen," she hesitates, "there’s something I need to tell you...”
“Why do I not like the sound of this?” I sit straighter, the knot in my stomach tightening. “Remi?” I say after a beat of silence.
“Something happened.” Her voice is barely a whisper.
“With Bexley? I don’t understand, I thought—”
Raised voices fill the line and Remi lets out a defeated sigh. “I need to go before they kill each other.”
“They... what?” I frown. “Who are you talking about?”
“Things are a little tense right now. But I’ll see you soon, okay?”
“Are you sure you’re okay?” A trickle of fear runs down my spine.
“I will be. I’ll text you later.”
“Okay, bye.”
We hang up and I stare at my cell phone, trying to figure out what just happened. Before I can stop myself, I’ve pulled up a text message:
Hadley: Are you sure you’re okay?
Remi: We need to talk... well, I need to talk. But not like this. I’ll see you tomorrow at school hopefully.
My mind flashes back to two nights ago, to Cole Jagger standing in the darkness, eyes cold and blood smeared over him like paint.
Hadley: Is everyone okay?
I want to ask if Cole is okay, but I don’t.
I can’t.
Remi: The guys are driving me crazy, but we’re okay. I promise. I’ll explain everything as soon as I can.
Hadley: Okay xo
Throwing my cell down on the nightstand, I flop back against the pillows and stare up at the ceiling. It’s a strange thing to be alone. So alone you have no one to call or no family to visit. I mean, I have family—they were the ones who sent me here. Banished me to another town so they didn’t have to deal with me. So I know all about feeling alone... unwanted... forgotten.
I think Remi saw that in me when I first arrived here. Maybe she took pity on the new girl. Maybe, deep down, she saw that I didn’t fit in here either. Sure, I wear the uniform and spend my Friday nights cheering on the Sterling Prep Seahawks, but it’s not through choice.
It’s for survival.
Until I graduate and get the hell out of here and finally shed my tainted skin.
Maybe that’s why I’m so fascinated with Cole Jagger. He hides a darkness inside him, a darkness I live with every second of every day.
I close my eyes and picture his face: sharp, assessing eyes and a strong jaw. Smooth, unblemished skin and defined cheekbones. He’s darkness and danger wrapped up in a gorgeous face and ridiculously hot body.
But now I know his secret—well, half a secret—and I’m not sure he’ll ever let me in.
Exhaustion drags me under, and I let myself sink into the pull of sleep... at least there, it's easy to forget.
“A-are you okay? Are you hurt?” I ask quietly, taking in his disheveled appearance.
His hoodie might be black, but there’s no mistaking the blood stains. He lifts both of his hands to his face and I catch the splashes of red.
