“I know that. But I was fine. Lindsey was with him.”
“You don’t understand,” he said, opening the passenger door of his truck and helping me inside.
“Then explain it to me.”
He climbed into the driver’s seat, started the engine, and pulled out quickly.
“I can’t. Not right now.”
“What the hell, Reid? You can’t just pull me away like that.”
“Yes, I can.” His eyes were locked on the road.
“Don’t be an asshole,” I said. I could feel my temper rising. “What happened back there?”
“Your piece of shit friend happened, that’s what.”
“Don’t talk about her that way.”
“Haven’t you figured it out yet, Becca? Lindsey is a pill-head loser. She’s not worth your fucking time.”
I hit his arm. “Don’t say that about her, Reid. Who do you think you are?”
He ignored my smack. “Don’t be so fucking naïve, Becca. Your friend from high school is long gone, replaced by that pathetic slut.”
“Fuck you,” I said, angry beyond words.
He grinned at me. “Gladly.”
“Seriously. Leave me alone.”
He looked back at the road. “Whatever you say, college girl.”
We drove back home in silence. I was seething inside, beyond angry at him. I hated that he just pulled me out of there and then insulted Lindsey like that, as if he didn’t give a shit what I thought.
I could take care of myself. I knew that Jay guy was bad news and I was getting ready to get out of there on my own. Reid didn’t need to swoop in and save me like I was some baby bird all the time.
When we were back at the house, I climbed out of the truck and slammed the door. He smirked at me as I stormed inside.
“Night, Becca,” he said as I got onto the porch.
I whirled on him. “Don’t come into my room.”
“If that’s what you want.”
“It is. Good night.”
I threw the door open and went directly upstairs. Cora and my dad were already in bed. I shut my door and locked it.
I knew I was a little drunk, and maybe overreacting, but I was pissed. So pissed that I didn’t want to see my stepbrother.
For the first time in what felt like a long time, but was really only a few nights, I fell asleep without Reid’s touch.
Chapter Eighteen: Reid
The night was dark and windy as I hiked fast, heading away from the house.
Becca was safely in her room, probably busy pouting about our fight. If she didn’t want me, then fine, I wouldn’t bother her. She had no clue what I was trying to do for her, no clue at all what I had done for my family, and she was acting like I was an asshole or something.
Maybe I was. But I didn’t need that shit from her. I didn’t need that shit from anyone.
I had bigger problems to worry about.
The forest was quiet as I made my way north toward the van. I couldn’t be in that house with her, not while she was looking at me like I was a piece of shit. The van wasn’t exactly comfortable, but it was dry and had plenty of blankets. I’d slept out there many times over the years, though usually it was because I felt trapped at home.
Now, I was feeling trapped in my own fucking skin.
It took me less time than I would have guessed to make it to the van. I pulled the door open and climbed in, slamming it shut behind me. Darkness swallowed up the space, and I fumbled with a candle and a lighter. After a minute, weak yellow light illuminated the beat-up interior.
I leaned back against the wall, a pillow propped up behind my head. I pulled out my phone and idly scrolled through some bullshit social media, mostly trying to distract myself.
But what had happened earlier kept coming back, over and over.
It wasn’t just Becca talking to Jay. That was bad enough. But it was what had happened before that, and what I was going to do about it.
I hated obsessing, but there was something important that I wasn’t quite seeing. Something that could potentially help get me out of the situation I was making for myself.
Outside the van, an owl hooted. It probably spotted a mouse scurrying through the thick underbrush and was about to swoop down for the kill.
I had to be like that owl.
I had to sharpen my talons.
I’d gotten a call from Thom earlier that day, well before I dragged Becca away from the party.
“How’s it coming, Climber?” he asked.
“Still no money for you, but I’m working on it.”
“Good. I mean, I have total faith in you.”
“What do you need?”
I clenched my jaw, leaning up against my truck. I had just left the Blue, narrowly missing Becca’s shift by only a few minutes. I wasn’t sure why I was avoiding her, but I felt like I needed to put a little distance between us while I tried to figure shit out.