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My horrified expression matched the same one on Micah’s when we looked at each other from across the room, shocked that this happened. That Benji did that. That the boys would be so public and loud about it.
Hazel made a small sound all too close to a sob next to Micah and then took off running out the front door, her sister chasing after her. Micah glanced at the screen briefly before chasing after them.
I didn’t blame them. I didn’t want to be there anymore either. That was disgusting. And so public.
Paxon and Toby stood at the front now, standing straight, expressions serious.
Paxon finally spoke. “This is a warning,” he said, glaring at his teammate. “You all work so hard to admonish Cadence. To bully her over things that aren’t your business. What happens between her and us is between us and only us. If she’s dating one of us or even all of us is none of your damn business. It’s our relationship. And let’s be real, the rumors about her are nothing compared to the real shit some of you guys do.” Paxon glared hard at Benji.
Toby slapped Paxon on the shoulder. “He was always better at saying this shit than me. But if you need me to put it simply, fuck off. Touch Cadence, and I don’t mind finding the shit you like to keep away from your parents. We’re done not doing anything. What happened last weekend was the last straw. Try shit like that again and be ready to face your own demons.”
Whispers filled the room as everyone looked around and then glanced at Benji. Benji was completely pale faced, looking like he was about to collapse.
“What did they just do?” I asked.
“Fuck.” Seth slipped out of my grip. “Fuck.”
He marched to the front of the room, glaring at his friends. “This party is over. Everyone go home.”
No one needed to be told twice. The first to storm out was Benji, none of the guys who had been hanging around him all night by his side. Then others began trickling out, whispering to each other, sending glances my way as they passed.
It was too much. Each glance, I could see judgment.
Once again, that darkness was surrounding me.
Chapter Three
I was in the backyard, pacing and taking in deep breaths. Too many different emotions kept surging up. I wanted to scream. To cry. To maybe punch something.
I wanted to understand.
My mind kept replaying that clip Paxon and Toby shared. What they said at the end. How everyone looked at me afterward. It kind of felt like war had been declared on the others. The guys against who exactly? Their own teammates? Classmates? Friends? For who? Me?
Why?
This wasn’t what I wanted.
“Damn.” Even outside felt like the walls were closing in around me.
“Cadence,” Paxon said, coming outside.
“Don’t,” I said.
“Can we talk?”
“Not at the moment.”
“Cadence.”
He grabbed my arm, but I yanked out of it. “Don’t touch me right now.”
“Please stop.” The plea in his voice had me pausing. “Please. Can we talk?”
“What have you done?” I asked. “Why would you do that?”
“Because we want to help you.”
“So telling all your friends and teammates that you’ll do what you did to Benji to them…that’s your way of helping?”
