Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 70940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 355(@200wpm)___ 284(@250wpm)___ 236(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 355(@200wpm)___ 284(@250wpm)___ 236(@300wpm)
“Somethin’ like that, darlin’. Somethin’ like that.”
“Dad.”
I look over to see Alarick walking in, followed by a pretty young girl. She’s the same age as him, at least she looks like she is, and she’s got dark red hair and green eyes. She’s so beautiful. I wish I were that beautiful.
“What’re you doin’ here, boy? Thought I sent you to do some work.”
Alarick nods. “You did. Got somethin’ to chat to you about. Got a minute?”
King stands and looks down at me. “Sit here, don’t go anywhere.”
Alarick and King disappear, and the pretty girl walks over and sits on the stool beside me. “Hi there,” she says, “I’m Karen. What’s your name?”
“Briella.”
“That’s a super pretty name. Are you Alarick’s sister?”
“Step-sister,” I tell her. “Are you his girlfriend?”
She giggles. “Oh, no, nothing like that. He is pretty cute though, right?”
I purse my lips and say, “I guess.”
I listen to Karen ramble on for the next ten minutes, and when Alarick returns, King’s face is hard as he says to me, “You need to go with Alarick. I have something to do.”
Oh.
I frown and look over to Alarick, who is watching his father, his face really still. Not a single thing on it is moving, not even a blink. I wonder what they just talked about in there? Was it really bad? Is someone in trouble?
“Is my mom okay?” I ask softly.
King’s face immediately softens, and he walks over, grabbing my shoulder and saying, “She’s perfectly fine. Go on home, honey. I’ll see you there.”
Alarick nods at me when I glance back at him, and I turn hesitantly and follow him and Karen out the door and toward their ride. I don’t know the guy whose truck we get into, but Alarick does, because he chats to him as he drives us home.
I stare out the window, watching the trees go by.
It’s in that moment I realize I have so much to learn about this club, and the life they lead.
So much.
MY HANDS HIT THE SIDEWALK and I cry out as the rough gravel skins my knees. My backpack falls over my head, landing on the ground in front of me, and the sound of girls giggling can be heard behind me. Tears burn under my eyelids as I hang my head, wishing, with everything I am, that we could just go home. That I didn’t have to live here, with Sissy constantly tormenting me.
“Fuck’s sake, Sissy.”
Alarick’s angry voice rumbles loudly and a moment later his hand is wrapping around my arm and he’s lifting me up so I’m standing. Then he leans down and takes my backpack, handing it to me before his eyes drop to my bleeding knees. I’m trying not to cry, but I can’t stop the tears that break through and roll down my cheeks. I’m so embarrassed. I hate Sissy. I hate her so much.
“Leave her the fuck alone, Sissy, or I’ll make sure you don’t get anywhere with Corben.”
Sissy’s face falls and she crosses her arms. Her two friends stop laughing and their mouths drop open.
“What do you know about Corben?”
“I know you like him. Know you want to go out with him. I also know he’s scared of me. One word to him, and I promise you he won’t come anywhere near you. What’s it goin’ to be? The boy of your dreams or her?”
Sissy’s face twists as she stares at her brother, then she glares at me and growls, “She’s not fun anymore anyway. Whiny little brat. Come on, girls, let’s go find someone else to play with.”
She storms off, stomping her perfect pink shoes on the pavement as she goes past us. When she has disappeared, Alarick turns to me, and I immediately put my head down, tears rolling down my cheeks as I try to stop my sobbing. He steps forward and takes my chin in his hand, tipping my head back so I’m looking at him. “You can’t let Sissy push you around like that, or anyone for that matter.”
“I can’t stop her,” I sob. “I don’t know how.”
“I’ll show you how. You shouldn’t ever have to deal with a bully, do you understand?”
I nod and, with his thumb, he swipes away a tear. My heart does a funny little flip flop as I look up at him. “Defend yourself, always, Briella. The world out there is ugly. You have to know how to take yourself through it unscathed.”
“I’m just a cry baby,” I whisper. “That’s what Sissy said. I cry over everything. I don’t know how to stop.”
“Just stop. Hold your head up high and don’t take any crap from anybody. I’ll teach you how to defend yourself, okay?”
“Okay.”
“Now go on to school and stay away from my sister.”
I nod again and he lets me go, stepping back. I turn and walk toward the bus stop and look back at him, calling out his name.