Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 100608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 503(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 503(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
“What happened?” I demand, ignoring Principal Hayworth to speak to Callan.
His head is bowed, but the skin is split on his forehead and swollen as a giant goose egg forms there. It’s still oozing blood, though not much anymore. From the looks at the droplets on his hoodie, it was bleeding more earlier.
“Callan,” I say in a calmer tone, squatting in front of him so I can see his face. “Talk to me.”
Jax and Principal Hayworth speak in low tones behind me.
“I’m fine,” Callan mutters, though the slight tremble of his bottom lip says otherwise.
“Who did this to you?”
He shrugs. “I’m not sure. I was standing in front of the urinal about to take a piss when someone rushed me from behind. They grabbed me by my hair and slammed my head against the wall. I woke up when some guys came into the bathroom and they helped me to the office.”
I rise to my feet before swiveling around to face Principal Hayworth. “Who did this to him?”
Principal Hayworth winces at my tone. “I’m not sure, but we’re investigating—”
“Not good enough,” I roar, the anger and frustration from the past week coming to an ugly head. “You need to find the monsters who assaulted my little brother or I’ll find them for you!”
Jax steps forward, grabbing my bicep and somehow injecting his calm into me. “Let me handle this. It’s my job.”
And because I trust him, I bite back the nasty names I want to call the principal and nod, shooting Jax a pleading look.
We have to find the fucker who did this.
We have to.
Jaxson
Outraged doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel right now. I’m horrified that a town I thought I knew could be so cruel to two of the greatest guys I know. Sure, Dante was a hard pill to swallow at first, but once you get to know him, it’s easy to see what a nice, caring man he is. He’s done nothing to deserve this. And Callan? He’s just a fucking kid.
I have to find out who’s doing this to the Kincaids.
My gut tells me if I don’t get to the bottom of it, the incidents will only get worse. The very thought of someone physically harming Callan again makes me sick to my stomach.
While Brandon makes a list of possible suspects for me to question, I glance over at Callan. He’s been busy texting the whole time we’ve been in Brandon’s office. Now that the rage has subsided, Dante is withdrawn. Quiet and sullen. I know he’s upset and I wish I could reach over to grab his hand.
In this moment, I hate what a coward I am.
Dante deserves someone who wouldn’t think twice about comforting him in his time of need. Had he not gotten involved with me, maybe he’d be dating someone by now. Someone like Cato. Cato wouldn’t have any qualms about sitting on Dante’s lap, kissing his forehead, and promising him everything will be okay.
As much as Dante deserves that, I still hate the idea. The image of my best friend sitting in his lap sparks a hot fire of jealousy. I don’t want Dante to see anyone else. I want him to see me and only me. How selfish is that?
The last bell for the day rings. Within minutes, my brother bursts into the office, his face red and screwed into a scowl.
Much to my shock, he does exactly what I wanted to do for Dante. He leans down, grabs hold of Callan, and hugs him, softly vowing he’ll find whoever did this and hurt them.
Finally, after we’ve exhausted all avenues and come up empty, we leave. Callan and Zak walk ahead of us, their voices low as they talk while Dante and I trail behind them.
“Why don’t we pick up pizza and hang out at my place?” I say, stopping once we reach the Tahoe.
Relief flashes in Dante’s hazel eyes. I may not have been able to comfort him in front of Brandon and the boys, but I’ll make sure I take good care of him as soon as we get home.
“Yes,” Zak calls out. “The stuff we ordered for my apartment came in and Callan needs to tell me where to put it.”
“If he doesn’t feel up to it,” I start, but Callan cuts me off with a laugh.
“It’ll take a lot more than a bump on the head to keep me from fixing up Zak’s dumpy place,” Callan sasses.
Dante chuckles and I flip Callan off for calling his place dumpy considering it’s technically my place. We pull into the pizzeria and I send the guys in with some cash so I can make a call.
“Hello?” Dad greets.
My eyes tear away from Dante, who’s standing inside the pizzeria, clearly teasing the boys. “Hey, Dad.”
“Everything okay?”
“Not really.” I sigh heavily. “Dante Kincaid and his little brother Callan have been getting harassed. Thought I could get your help—”