phone Saturday night like he finally had something to say to me. I ignored them all. But I made sure to read his messages just so he would see that I saw them. He was on the top of my shit list. And it seemed to be growing by the second.
I spoke to Becky and told her that my father was out of town. His calls stopped after that. I only did it because I knew she would tell Deke, and he would pass the message on to Cole.
Monday finally rolled around, and I got up, got ready, and drove myself to school. I sat down in first period and spoke to Becky like nothing ever happened. She stared at me like I needed to be admitted to a psych ward. I just smiled. Because in a way she was right. I officially no longer care about anything but revenge. I’m going to do what they all did. Turn off my emotions and play the fucking game. Like I should have done from the beginning.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
COLE
SHE’S AVOIDED ME completely this week while at school. Five whole days of not a single word. Not even a glance my way. And it’s not like I haven’t tried. She just acts like I don’t even exist. It’s taken all I have not to pin her up against a locker and choke her until she’s clawing at my arms and chest, silently begging me to let her breathe. But I know Austin Lowes. She would willingly pass out before she begged me for anything.
And I no longer want to hurt her.
“You okay, man?” Deke asks as we walk to our cars in the parking lot of the school after practice.
“Fine.”
He sighs. “Becky’s worried about Austin.”
I come to a stop and turn to face him. “Why? Did Austin say something to her?”
He shakes his head. “Just that she isn’t herself.”
I snort. “Of course not. She’s been blackmailed and lied to.”
“Hey, guys. Wait up.”
We look over at the door to see Shane and Bennett approaching. “What do you think it’s about?” Shane asks.
“Think what is about?” Deke asks him.
“The text Austin just sent us,” Bennett answers.
I dig in my pocket as Kellan joins us. Deke and I no longer speak to him either.
Austin: Clubhouse ten tonight.
Kellan smiles. “Maybe she’s finally pulling out.”
She wouldn’t do that. Not now. I’m not sure what she’s thinking but running isn’t something she does. He’s stupid to even think that.
“Guess we’ll find out at ten,” Bennett says.
_______________
I pull up to the clubhouse at ten on the dot. Her car is already parked outside along with Deke’s Range Rover and Bennett’s white Mercedes. I had every intention to be here early and try to talk to her, but I had a phone call that ran longer than planned.
I walk inside to see her sitting on the couch with her eyes looking down at her phone. She wears a pair of black shorts and a black top. Her hair is down and straight, and she looks absolutely amazing.
My chest tightens when I think about how I’ve hurt her. Lied to her.
Ever since she walked out of this door a week ago, she has consumed my thoughts. Fuck her dad for trying to kill me. He’ll pay for that in time. Right now, I gotta do whatever I can to get her back.
“Why are we here?” Kellan demands, walking in and not wasting a second of his time.
She places her phone on her lap and then stretches her arms out on the back of the couch, looking up. She smiles. “As you all know, Cole and I are no longer”—she pauses, thinking of the right word—“anything. But I’m not dropping out.” She looks at Kellan. “Thought I would get that out of the way since you were hoping for that.” His mouth sets in a hard line. Her smile widens. “And I know you are fucking Celeste, so you can stop having her scream out Cole’s name.” Shane starts to choke, and Deke chuckles. Her eyes meet mine for the first time in a week. And they look as cold as ice. “Plus, I no longer care who Cole fucks,” she says, voice flat.
“Austin …”
“How did you find out?” Deke asks, interrupting me.
“I went home and demanded to speak to Bruce, but Celeste told me he had already left for Florida. I then told her that I knew. I was referring to Lilly being my sister, but she thought I meant her fucking Cole.