Total pages in book: 136
Estimated words: 131789 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 659(@200wpm)___ 527(@250wpm)___ 439(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 131789 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 659(@200wpm)___ 527(@250wpm)___ 439(@300wpm)
“No, there’s really nothing to do except suck it up. They’ll get bored of me eventually.” She nudges me with her elbow and manages a brief smile that I wonder if she coaxes more for my benefit.
The main thing I’ve learned about Casey after spending all this time getting to know her, is that she always puts other people first. Always considers their feelings before acknowledging her own. This girl is constantly reassuring everyone else—her dad, her sister, me. Hell, if she and those St. Vincent’s cunts were ever dragged into the head nun’s office, Casey’s the chick who would defend her bullies and ask the higher-ups to show some mercy.
I want to say that kind of attitude is obnoxious, but the truth is…it’s inspiring. It gives me the tiniest flicker of hope that maybe humanity isn’t doomed.
Me, I was doomed a long time ago. Probably long before I met Casey, but what I’m doing with her sure as shit won’t help me find any atonement. I’m a bastard for letting her believe we’re friends.
“Busted.”
Casey and I both jerk to attention, quickly turning toward the rustling trees. My stomach instantly drops at the sight of Sloane.
Chapter 13
Sloane
I’d almost rather catch my little sister on a rock band’s tour bus than skulking around the woods in the middle of the night with Fenn. He’s probably got a worse reputation than a rock star for using and discarding girls. Outmatched only by Lawson, and that’s not great company.
“Care to explain yourself?” I ask coolly.
“We were just talking,” Casey insists.
“I’m asking him.” Because he knows better. I’ve graphically detailed what I’d do to his scrotum if I ever find out he’s got bad intentions toward my sister.
“Wow, where’s the time gone?” he says. “Got dark quick, huh?”
Sarcastic little shit. “You can’t be here. If our dad knows you’re dragging her out after dark, he’ll go ballistic.”
An indignant Casey cocks her head at me. “Fenn didn’t drag me out. I asked him.”
“Uh-huh. I bet.”
I don’t buy that for a second, which is only more proof that he’s rubbing off on her. Fenn might be hot, and a lot funnier than you’d expect, but I’ve never trusted the guy. I didn’t think it was such a great idea for Dad to start letting those two hang out following Casey’s accident, but after a few weeks I couldn’t deny that her mood had improved. Whatever effect he had on her, it was working. But now Fenn’s getting too comfortable. He needs to occasionally be reminded there are boundaries—and consequences to not respecting them.
But my sister isn’t backing down. She gives me a faint smirk. “I must have imagined all those times you were slipping out to see Duke after curfew.”
“That’s different.”
“How?”
“You know how.” Because she better not be sleeping with Fenn, for one thing. “And because you’re not me.”
“Whatever.”
I resist the urge to roll my eyes at her flippant dismissal. She can be pissy with me all she wants. I know what the Sandover boys want from a girl like Casey, and it isn’t platonic picnics under the stars.
“Guess I’ll talk to you later,” she finally says to Fenn, when she realizes I’m not going to budge. Ignoring my frown, she steps forward to give him a hug before heading back toward the house.
Fenn tries to ease away too, but I stop him with a glare. “You stay,” I order.
He halts. “All right. Let’s hear it.”
I square up to him, one hand planted on my hips. “I mean it, Bishop, no more sneaking around or secret midnight meetings.”
“It’s barely after ten,” he cracks with a crooked grin.
Maybe some girls find it endearing, but I’m not one of them. I glare harder.
“Alright, fine. Fuck, Sloane. Relax. Won’t happen again.”
He runs a frazzled hand through his pale hair, drawing my gaze to the toned biceps beneath his snug black long-sleeve. It serves to remind me that Fenn’s a dangerous guy. Six feet tall, fit, too attractive for his own good. A boy like him could break my sister’s heart without even trying. Which is only more reason to keep a close eye on him.
While I’ve got him here, though…there is something he can help me with.
“So what’s the story with your stepbrother?” I demand.
“I don’t know.” Fenn’s brow furrows, but he elaborates when I don’t respond. “He’s basically a loner. Never wants to go out or even make friends. Keeps to himself, mostly. I can’t drag two words out of him half of the time.”
“That’s funny. He won’t shut the hell up in my texts.”
“Really?” He appears surprised, which means RJ hasn’t been pressing him for information.
“Yes, really. It’s annoying as fuck.”
“Bullshit.” Fenn flashes that lopsided grin. “You love the attention.”
“No,” I deny, while the voice in my head taunts yes you do.
“Sure, Sloane, you keep telling yourself that.” Smile fading, he shoves his hand through his hair again. “Now you tell me something—should I be worrying about those girls at St. Vincent’s? Sounds like Casey’s getting bullied.”