Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 122030 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 610(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 407(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 122030 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 610(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 407(@300wpm)
Silas inexplicably stops to engage Amy in a brief conversation I can only imagine is designed to inflict as much pain and humiliation as possible. Making Kat an unwitting accomplice. It lasts only a few seconds, but the moment Silas and Kat return to our table, Amy quickly abandons hers and walks out the front door. Immediately followed by her friends.
“That was shitty of you,” I inform Silas as he sits down.
He lifts a brow. “What?”
“Amy didn’t deserve that.”
Kat nervously glances between us. “I don’t understand what’s happening.”
“Don’t let a guy pick you up in a bar,” I tell her as I push back from the table. “We’re all bastards.”
Then I grab Silas and haul him up with me. He forgets sometimes I’ve got a couple of inches on him and a fair bit of muscle, so his protestations don’t give me much pause as I drag him out of the bar and onto the sidewalk.
“What the fuck, Lawson?” He tugs his arm free of my hand and gives me a shove.
“What the fuck?” I echo. “Bro. It’s one thing if you want to be an asshole to your friends. Bringing some poor girl into your twisted games is crossing the line.”
“You’re talking about Amy?” He lets out a sarcastic laugh. “That’s incredible. The guy who’s never had a single monogamous relationship is giving me a lecture on post-breakup etiquette.”
“It’s not just Amy. Your whole vibe is off. Something’s up with you lately.”
Incredulous, he scoffs at me. “You’re one to talk.”
“Under ordinary circumstances I might give you that, but I’m not the one who’s managed to alienate every friend he’s got in a matter of weeks.”
“Seriously, Lawson? Look at yourself. You’re a nihilistic, alcoholic drug addict who entertains himself by creating chaos and destruction everywhere he goes. You blew up a marriage because you were bored.” He laughs again, cold and humorless. “So I had myself a rebound fuck in the bathroom. Big fucking deal. You’re basically a professional screwup and you have no right to judge me.”
“Listen, you’re clearly in existential pain right now, so I’m going to overlook a few hurtful words in favor of the bigger picture. I’m trying to be your friend—”
He growls at me, a temper I’ve never seen from Silas erupting out of him like lava and ash. “You want to talk about friendship?” he shouts. “Remind me who was driving that night when Ballard’s headmaster found his stolen car on the football field and wrapped around a goalpost?”
Silas shoves my chest, knocking me into the wall. Years of repressed anger finding its way to the surface.
“I got expelled for you! And when’s the last time you’ve even said you’re sorry?”
“I didn’t ask you to cover for me,” I interject irritably. “You’re such a fucking martyr, thinking I owe you, but I didn’t ask you to do anything. You took the blame all on your own, bro.”
“I kept you out of jail or, God forbid, rehab. And what have you done since but keep drinking and swallowing more pills? I could have fucked Kat on the bar and made Amy watch. It still wouldn’t be half as bad as half the shit you’ve done to people.”
“Well, that’s me, then, huh?” Looking into Silas’s callous, rageful eyes, I don’t even recognize him. “I’m an addict with daddy issues, so of course I’m a mess. What’s your excuse?”
“Fuck you,” he spits. “Clean yourself up before you try to analyze my life.”
He storms off, and as I watch him go, I realize my hands are shaking. Even a full minute after Silas has disappeared into the darkness, my breathing is shallow and labored. Thankfully, I brought along a little helper and pop one in my mouth to take the edge off.
In seconds, the jitters subside.
And then a new distraction presents itself.
Casey: Hey, want to hang out?
Me: Impeccable timing, as always. Name the place.
CHAPTER 39
CASEY
SOMEHOW, OF ALL PEOPLE, LAWSON KENT HAS BECOME THE MOST reliable friend I’ve got. Jaz already had plans, and since I have no desire to hang out with Sloane and RJ and watch them eye-fuck each other all night, I find myself texting Lawson. He texts me back immediately, and we agree to meet at the old greenhouse in an hour, while I plot how I’m going to sneak out without alerting anyone.
Luckily, Dad never stays up late, even on weekends. And Sloane and RJ end up going out, after all. It’s past eleven, which seems a bit late to start their night, but I’m not one to talk. I just arranged to meet somebody at midnight.
My shoulders tense when I hear Dad in the hallway. He pauses in front of my door, knocking quietly. “Case? You still up?”
“Yeah. Come in.” I was lying on my side scrolling on my phone, but I sit when he pokes his head inside.