“I appreciate it, but I really just want to be alone right now.” I gesture to his house. “The sun’s almost up. You should get some rest.”

He frowns. “Oh. O-k-k-kay.”

I’m passing their mailbox when he utters, “By the w-w-way. T-t-thanks for the T-t-tommy t-t-thing.”

I’m not sure what he means. “What Tommy thing?”

“He mes-s-saged me on Ins-s-stagram and s-s-said you w-w-wouldn’t be friends w-w-with him if he w-w-was mean to me, s-s-so we’re c-c-cool now.”

That’s not exactly what transpired, but if Tommy stops being a prick to Liam, then I’m happy.

I give him a smile. “That’s awesome. See? I told you things would get better.”

He grins. “S-s-see you at s-s-school.”

Chapter 14

Dylan

I shouldn’t be surprised Oakley ditched me again.

However, I am pissed.

My aunt—who’s also not picking up her phone—texted me earlier to say she scored me an interview with Mrs. Dickinson after school.

I’m so desperate I scan the mostly empty parking lot for Sawyer’s minivan.

Of course, there’s no sign of it.

I glance at my watch. “Shit.”

I’d walk, but it’s on the other side of town and my interview is in exactly seventeen minutes.

It will take me at least forty-five to get there on foot. Thirty-five if I start running now.

I rummage through my purse for my phone so I can check my bank account. I have exactly sixty-three bucks, which is enough for an Uber, but not enough to get me lunch the rest of the week.

Actually, make that tomorrow given the overpriced shit they serve here.

Fuck it. I need a job way more than I need lunch money.

I’m opening the app when I hear a deep voice call my name.

I look up at the same time an orange Subaru pulls up to the curb and the driver rolls down the passenger side window.

“Hey, stranger. How you been?”

Holy shit. I’d recognize those dark almond eyes, jet black hair, and crooked smile anywhere.

Tommy DaSilva.

“Hey.” The excitement in my voice betrays me. It’s good to see a childhood friend who doesn’t treat me like garbage. “It’s been forever. How are you?”

He drapes an arm over the passenger seat. “Pretty good. A few ups and downs, but I’m hanging in there.”

“Yeah, I hear you.” It suddenly occurs to me this is the first time I’ve seen him all day. “I had no idea you went here. I didn’t see yo—”

“I don’t.” He sucks in a breath. “My little brother Stone does. Today is his first day of high school and I promised to give him a ride home.”

“Oh.” Disappointment flickers in my chest, but it’s quickly superseded by anxiety. If I have any hope of arriving on time, I need to get a move on. “Give me one second. I have to order an Uber for my job inter—”

“I can give you a lift.”

It’s all I can do not to jump through the window and hug him. “Are you sure? I don’t want to impose.”

“On what? Taking my little brother home?” He pushes the passenger door open and chuckles. “Get in. I won’t take no for an answer.”

He doesn’t have to worry about that. I’m in no position to object his kind offer. “Thanks. The interview is at a place called Top of the Muffin.”

“I’ve been there a few times. The owner is kind of rude, but the food’s good.”

That’s…reassuring.

I notice a football jersey and helmet along with a gym bag in his back seat. “I didn’t know you played football.”

His eyebrows dance. “Yup, I’ve been a Viking since sophomore year.” He winks. “Some say I’m the best linebacker since Lawrence Taylor.”

“I have no idea who that is, but he’s got a stellar last name.”

He places his hand over his heart, feigning offense. “Ouch. Come on, Dylan. The Giants. Dude was a legend on the field.” He winces. “Off the field is a different story, but—” His eyes shift to something behind me. “There he is. Finally.”

I watch as a younger, highly irritated version of Tommy swings open the door and climbs into the backseat.

Despite his visibly sour mood, Tommy smiles at him. “About time, rugrat.”

The boy’s frown deepens. “Who’s the chick? Another jersey chaser?”

Tamping down my annoyance, I extend a hand. “Hi, I’m Dylan. I’m an old friend of Tommy’s.”

He dismisses my hand and directs his attention to his brother. “Deal’s off, prick. You couldn’t pay me enough to spend another day in that hellhole.”

Amen to that. Royal Hearts Academy sucks balls.

“It’s only your first day,” Tommy grits through his teeth. “It will get better.”

“Fat fucking chance,” the kid barks. “Not with that stupid bitch there it won’t.”

Woah. That’s some colorful vocabulary for a fourteen-year-old.

Tommy shifts the car into drive. “What happened?”

Stone whips out his phone and shoves it in his brother’s face. “I don’t know, you tell me.”

Tommy slams on the brakes. “I’m driv—what the fuck?” It’s obvious he’s trying his hardest not to laugh. “Damn, all this time I thought I was the one with the shitty genes.” Genuine pity flashes in his eyes. “You’re only fourteen, man. I’m sure it will grow.”

“Fuck you, shithead. That ain’t my dick.”

I nearly choke on my spit.

“That cunt got a picture of me from Debbie and photoshopped some dude’s baby dick on it.”

Tommy tilts the phone, and I regret not closing my eyes. It’s going to be near impossible to get that disturbing visual out of my head.

One thing’s for sure, whoever did it is a photoshop pro.

The only thing that’s off about the pic is the way Stone’s flexing his muscles in the mirror and smiling smugly, appearing mighty proud of his microscopic peen.

“Debbie’s his girlfriend,” Tommy supplies.

“Ex-girlfriend,” Stone corrects. “Any bitch who’d give Bianca a private photo of me so she can destroy my life can go fuck herself with a spiked dildo.”

I sit up in my seat. “Wait, Bianca Covington did this?”

Stone nods. “Yup.”

That seems…excessive. Even for her. “Why?”

Stone snorts. “Because I’m Tom—”

“You’re gonna be late for your job interview,” Tommy cuts in. He glances at Stone through the rearview mirror. “Relax. We’ll sort it out later.”

Stone shakes his head. “No. I told you, I’m done. There’s no way I’ll recover from this shit. Not unless I drop my pants, show her my real cock, and then shove it down her throat in front of everyone.”

Jesus. “Jace will literally kill you if you mess with his little sister.”

Just today he kicked the crap out of a senior she tricked into hooking up with her. I shudder to think what he’d do to a guy forcing his dick down her throat.