Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 87152 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87152 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
“Oh, Christ,” Maya mutters. “They’re going to kill him.”
“Why not just call the police?” I shout, getting the attention of more than a few people around me who decide to follow along and see what happens next. Either the twins can’t hear me, or it’s more convenient to ignore me. Either way, I don’t get a reaction.
Someone in the entry hall waves a hand over their head, barely visible in the crowd. “He’s on the front lawn!”
Suddenly, the door opens, and a bunch of people go flooding out because everybody wants to see what will happen next. They remind me of alligators crowding around, waiting for somebody to throw them fresh food to chomp on. It’s like they live on this.
And there he is. Once I reach the front steps, I see Brody swaying slightly in the middle of the emerald lawn. Lifting his arm, he points toward the twins, blinking hard. “Oh, I should’ve known! She can’t handle her shit one on one. She has to get her brothers to help.”
“Guys, please…” My fearful, pleading voice falls on deaf ears. I’m pretty sure Easton is even laughing happily as they storm down the front stairs.
“I’m recording this shit,” Maya murmurs at my side, holding up her phone. Where did it even come from? She’s wearing a towel over a bathing suit but somehow has her phone ready. It’s amazing, the things that will go through a person’s head when they’re on the verge of a panic attack.
“When are you going to learn?” Preston demands, shoving Brody with both hands once he reaches him.
Brody stumbles backward, but refuses to go down, making Preston bark out a laugh. “Cut the shit. Nobody thinks you’re tough, shithead.”
“We’re not some girl you can beat on,” Easton shouts, shoving Brody from behind and making him stumble into Preston, who shoves him away.
Pretty soon, shoving is not going to be enough. Especially once Brody decides to take a swing. And he does, too, stumbling awkwardly when Preston easily avoids the hit. “This is between me and her!” Brody shouts, as people slowly form a large circle around them.
“Stop! Don’t!” Somehow, Sarah must have broken free of Carter and run around the side of the house because now she comes flying over, breaking through the crowd. Preston grabs hold of her, but she wiggles free and comes to a stop in front of Brody, positioning herself between him and her brothers. “Once wasn’t enough for you? You want to do this again?”
“None of this would be happening if you would just let me talk to you!” he screams in her face. He’s so much bigger than her—she shrinks a little in front of him, and I wish I was strong enough to kick his ass myself. He’s a vicious bully, that’s it.
“We’re done!” she barks. “Stop following me around. It’s not going to make a difference. I spent enough time pretending you didn’t hurt me. I’m sick of covering up bruises from you. I’m sick of you!”
“I’ll stop when I want to stop.” He reaches out and takes hold of her, grabbing her by the arm and pulling her in close before the twins can react. “You don’t fucking tell me what to do, bitch!”
That’s not even the worst part.
The worst part comes when he shoves her, and she turns an ankle and hits the ground.
I see it all in front of me as I run to them. Visiting them in jail. Sitting in a courtroom when the judge hands down their sentence. Because they’re going to kill him. I feel it. I know it, and it’s what gives me the speed and the strength to reach them before either one can throw a punch. They’re too busy helping Sarah up off the ground.
“He’s not worth it!” I gasp, breathless, dizzy from all the excitement. I really need them to listen to me right now. “He’s not. Don’t do this, please. For me, please?”
“She’s right,” Sarah agrees, wincing when she tries to put weight on her left foot. “He’s not worth it. Don’t make things worse for yourselves. Don’t waste your time.”
“What?” Brody calls out, pointing at them. Clearly, this guy is suicidal. “Are you going to have the girls do the dirty work for you? Or is it because you’re pussies?”
There’s no doubt in my mind. This guy wants to get killed.
“Maybe you need to get out of here!” Sarah barks. “Unless you want me to tell everybody about how I didn’t actually fall that day you took me to the ER. I bet they would all be interested.”
“I’m going to bust his face open,” Preston mutters, while all Easton can do is growl.
“Listen to me,” I beg, keeping my voice low so they can hear it over the growing noise as people start heckling Brody and threatening him, warning him to get out while he can. “You want to help me live my life? How can you do that if you’re sent to jail or worse because of him? I need you guys. Don’t let me down, I’m begging you.”