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“Morgan, calm down,” I hear my brother yell and realize he’s the one who’s hauled me off the cunt.
“Let me go. Now.”
“No. You need to calm down.” I hear him. And know I probably should, but I can’t until I hear him say, “Please. For me.”
I heave in a few breaths and slowly stop fighting against his hold that remains around me even when I still. “Fine. Let me go,” I say, my eyes on the piece of shit still on the ground.
“Not until I know you’re good.”
“I’m fucking great. I’m not as fragile as the pathetic bitch on the floor.”
A few hoots sound around us as I glare over the watching swarm, giving them a look that shuts them up quickly. I don’t give a fuck who it is. All of them need to back the fuck off or they’ll be next. I didn’t do this for their entertainment. It was for me. Because every time I think about it, I feel weak.
“There’s no fighting in the hallway,” Thatcher declares like it’s a new rule that we might actually abide by as he steps in front of me. “Morgan, go cool off in the office so we can have a discussion about this.”
My head falls back as I laugh, and Ryder tells me to keep my mouth closed. But I don’t. “Even after I cool off, I’ll still tell you to go fuck yourself, Thatcher.”
He shifts uncomfortably, glancing over the students witnessing the exchange. “Young lady, I need you to watch your mouth, or I’ll be forced to get your father involved in the discussion.”
“Please do. I need to tell him a few things as well.” Not what Thatcher had expected, and Dad can go fuck himself too. But it seems I won’t get the chance to tell either because Cade moves in between me and Thatcher.
“I got her.” In the same moment Ryder releases me, Cade bends down, puts his shoulder in my stomach (just a twinge of pain), and stands, heading down the corridor with my ass in the air.
My fists hit against his back as I yell, “I’m getting sick of this shit. You can go fuck yourself too, Crawford.”
He doesn’t say anything; he just keeps walking.
2
CADE
Shit. Her fists hammer against my back as I head to the cemetery. I thought Coach King would be the biggest issue I’d face this morning. And he is. He knows about everything. But when I spotted little King fighting in the hallway, I realized she’s more of a challenge than her father any day of the week. He’ll be fine as long as he gets what he wants, which is me playing and winning. But not Morgan, nothing is gonna keep her in line. Because she knows how serious it is to remain low-key. And there’s no way that could equal brawling in the middle of the damn hallway before the first class has begun.
“Put me down, dickhead,” she yells, though thankfully isn’t squirming around.
“I will in a second.”
Her angry voice mellows to something more like annoyance when she continues, “You could’ve let me get in a few more punches.”
I turn to spot Ryder behind us and wave him to follow. And sure enough, Neil and Savannah aren’t far behind. Good. I have to inform them about what Coach just told me sooner than later. And I need to try and get Morgan to realize this shit isn’t one of her games. We all need to be on the same page—which means keeping our mouths shut and not do anything reckless—like beating the shit out of each other.
I wait until I’m on the back side of the cemetery where I have a good view over nearby areas before I drop her to her feet. She immediately surges forward, her fists hit my chest. “I’m getting really sick and fucking tired of you doing that.”
My fingers hook around her wrist as I hold her hands against me. It’s still painful to see her face and the bruising and marks that indicate the horror she experienced. However, it’s evident she’s still as evil and hostile as ever. Only, I’m worried she’s covering the pain with her usual bitchiness. Because the princess can’t show weakness. That’s beneath her.
“Morgan.” Ryder moves beside us. “I told you to keep your shit together. That was not it.”
“Felt together to me,” she informs her brother.
Her eyes are pinned on me, so I take the opportunity to tell her what I just learned. “He knows.”
Her frustration rises as she pulls her hands from my grip, cursing me. Her brother zones in on me, the fear evident on his face as Ryder asks, “Who knows?”
“Your dad.” I can’t bring myself to say it aloud. Why spare her feelings? I don’t know. But there’s no way I can stand here and tell her that her dad witnessed his daughter being taken and didn’t give a fuck. “He doesn’t know exactly what happened, but he knows Lenny is dead and one of us is responsible.”
“Are you sure?” Neil asks in disbelief as Savannah moves beside him, her hand clasping his bicep.
“Yeah.” I watch for Morgan’s reaction as I say, “He said if I don’t play ball he’ll turn us in.”
