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“It’s taking a stand with you. That coming for you is coming for us and we won’t accept it. You never did anything wrong. They’re all a bunch of jealous assholes.”
I snorted. “Jealous? About what, exactly.”
“I don’t know. That they don’t have someone they care about the way we do.”
That finally made me pause, and I turned to him. He gave me a small smile and came closer. I bit at my bottom lip before finally asking, “What you said, is it true?”
“I’m not sure which part you’re talking about, but we meant every single word. This has gotten out of control. Because of us, they’re talking others into hurting you. What happened last week, we won’t let it ever happen again. Benji may not have been the one to directly send those guys after you, but he is part of that group. And he’s been nasty to you way too often.”
“Blackmail though?” I asked. “You just blackmailed all your friends. How is this okay? And for what? For me?” I snorted. “I’m nobody.”
“First off—they aren’t my friends. I’d never be friends with people who are willing to hurt others. Who speak like that about people they don’t know. So stop saying that, Cadence. Secondly, I’d do it again. All they need to do is stop bullying, then they’re fine. That’s it. If they aren’t willing to stop, why shouldn’t I do what I can to protect my people?”
I stepped closer to Paxon. “What game is this? What do you want from me?”
“I want you happy!” Paxon practically yelled. Toby was coming out to join us and also froze when he heard his friend yell. Paxon didn’t notice as he continued to talk, voice slightly raised. “I just want you happy, Cadence. I want you to be able to laugh freely and smile. I want your nightmares to stop. I want you to be able to sleep. To stop looking over your shoulder and thinking about people wanting to hurt you. And if that means I need to make some threats like that, I don’t care. Most of them will get over it, and the others, well, it’s telling then.”
“This doesn’t make sense.” I gaped at Paxon and then at Toby.
“It makes a lot of sense to me.” Toby smiled as he came closer.
“We meant what we said.” Paxon shrugged.
I ran my hand through my hair, unable to focus properly. I was so confused. My thoughts wouldn’t calm down. I wanted to be mad at them. What they did wasn’t right. Blackmailing someone like that?
But I never had someone do this for me before. They were showing that they were going to stand by my side. They were picking me.
“I need space,” I said.
Paxon nodded. “I know what we did tonight wasn’t the best. But now people are going to stop listening to Benji. He has no ground to stand on. And frankly, he deserves whatever happens. No one will trust him anymore.”
“That was cruel. That was below what I would have ever expected of you guys,” I said softly.
“Think of it as us vigilantes,” Toby said. “What he did was disgusting. Maybe not a crime per se, but the other kids won’t see it that way. He broke all trust he has with any of them.”
“And you’ll be safe,” Paxon added.
I blew out a breath. “I just need time.”
Toby was about to say something, but Paxon stopped him. “Okay. We get it.” Paxon looked at Toby and shook his head.
Toby really looked like he wanted to say something, but he stopped himself and smiled at me. “All the time you need, Candy Corn.”
“Hey,” Bryan said from the doorway. “Help us clean this shit up so we can go to bed. Especially you two douchebags. You have a lot to answer for with this stunt.”
Toby rolled his eyes. “We’ve been summoned.”
“Cleaning, I can do,” I said and went after Bryan. This was a great opportunity to not face all my thoughts. Paxon and Toby left me with too many questions.
Inside looked like a bomb of candy had gone off. It was a mess. Seth was in the living room, scowling as he shoved everything into a garbage bag. I didn’t see Justin or Bryan, but heard someone in the kitchen.
“Seth,” I said softly, joining him as I picked up all the garbage on the couch.
He stopped and released a breath. “Are you okay?” Seth’s knuckles were white from how hard he was gripping the garbage bag.
“I should ask you that,” I said, making it a point to look at his hand.
“This is the last fucking time I let those idiots be in charge of a party.” He went back to stuffing cups, plates, and wrappers into the bag. “This shouldn’t have happened. I wanted this to be fun for you. Not this bullshit. I’m tempted to put them on their asses. Make them grovel for their idiocy.”
