Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 37778 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 189(@200wpm)___ 151(@250wpm)___ 126(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37778 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 189(@200wpm)___ 151(@250wpm)___ 126(@300wpm)
When we reach the school, one shiny, ostentatious vehicle in the parking lot stands out among the sea of regular, dented and cheaper ones.
Why is he at my school?
“Oh great,” I mutter. “I know that guy. He’s an asshole. Park far away from him.”
My heart rate stutters out of control in my chest. I’m not sure why he’s here, but I don’t like it. Brayden, face twisted in concern, does as instructed. We both climb out and start hoofing it toward the building.
A figure materializes into my line of vision just before we reach the door. I recognize the blond curly hair and cruel slant of his mouth.
Rhett.
“Hello, baby sister. Do you miss me yet?”
Me and Brayden slow to a stop in front of Rhett. I’m thankful my new friend doesn’t leave me alone with this jerk.
“I’m going to be late for class,” I clip out, annoyance dripping from my words. “What do you want?”
He steps toward me and Brayden stiffens. Rhett plays rugby, lacrosse, and soccer. He’s broad and muscular. Brayden’s lithe, non-sporty frame doesn’t stand a chance against him.
“Mom and Dad shouldn’t have let you leave,” Rhett says angrily. “To go live with two strangers? Have they hurt you?”
I cross my arms over my chest. “They’re my parents’ friends. Practically family. Not sure why it matters to you. I didn’t think you cared about me.”
“Seriously?” Rhett grips my shoulders and shakes me lightly. “Of course I care. Dad and Addison are taking it the hardest, but I miss you too. No one else is as much fun to tease.”
Bully.
He means no one else is as much fun to bully.
I attempt to shake him off me, but his hold is too strong. To my shock, Brayden grabs his forearm.
“Let her go,” Brayden says icily.
Rhett tears his sneering face from mine to glower at my friend. “Who are you? Her boyfriend?” He barks out a sadistic laugh before turning back to me. “Savvy, you can do better than that.”
“Is there a problem here?” a cold, authoritative voice says from behind Rhett.
Rhett releases me and steps away to face… Coach Long?
My first hour teacher is bigger than Rhett, and from the looks of it, more muscular too. Coach Long nods his head toward Rhett’s car. “You don’t go to school here. Time to go, kid, or I’m calling Sheriff McMahon.”
Rhett narrows his eyes at Coach Long and then shakes his head. “Whatever. We can catch up later. Addison gave me your new number. See you soon, baby sister.”
He strides away without another word. Coach Long cocks his head to study me. I want to squirm under his intense stare.
“That’s your brother?” he asks.
“Rhett was my foster brother,” I explain, heat creeping over my cheeks. “I don’t know how he knew where to find me.”
“Is he tracking your phone?” Brayden asks. “Seems like a psychopathic thing he would do.”
He’s not wrong.
“I hope not,” I utter. “This is a new phone. I’m not sure how he could do that.”
“He seems like trouble,” Coach Long says. “Be careful around that one.” He then smirks at me. “Get to class before the bell rings.”
As he saunters away, Brayden nudges me. “He’s not joking. That man gives out detention more than any other teacher in the school combined. If you have to be at your job after school, I suggest you make sure you’re not late.”
I have to run the entire way to class, even passing Coach Long on my trek, and barely make it into my seat when the bell rings.
Even as he starts his lecture, I can’t focus on his words. I keep thinking about Rhett of all people. Why can’t he leave me alone?
What’s more unnerving is he knew exactly where to find me and when I’d be there. With my old phone, I was undoubtedly being tracked via their family app, but now that I’m free of them, how was he able to locate me?
My gaze drops down to my backpack. It was a gift from Leah, and she never asked for it back. Could they still be tracking me through my backpack?
“Miss Collins,” Coach Long barks out, jerking me from my thoughts. “Daydreaming will get you Fs and detention. You only get one warning. Take notes.”
A few kids snigger but are cowed into silence when Coach Long glowers at them. I quickly obey and whip out my Chromebook to take notes.
Daydreams might get me Fs, but escaping the reality of Rhett following me is more preferable than a good grade. I happily think about anything else other than that creep.
I think about Travis’s fingers in my hair and Cole’s hands massaging my feet.
Daydreaming is worth the threat of detention.
Cole
Why does he want to meet for lunch?
Normally I wouldn’t think twice about it. Me and Travis eat lunch all the time together since we’re on similar work schedules and work locally. There was just something serious and somber about his request.