a completely different way.
I need time to figure this whole shitty situation out, but that doesn’t mean anyone can have Astrid.
Not Aiden.
Not Zachariah.
No. Fucking. One.
Chris trudges in the opposite direction towards Coach Larson’s office. I watch him from behind, tilting my head and narrowing my eyes.
I’ll deal with his drunken arse later. He’s off the team until he shows up without hangovers or as high as a kite.
Once I arrive at the car park, I spot Dan driving out. Alone.
Astrid must’ve gone home first.
She’s strong. She fucking has to be.
Because since the eye-opening chat with Jonathan, I’m starting to think I’m broken beyond repair.
“Interesting location for a battle.” Aiden’s mocking tone reaches me first before he slides against his car that’s parked opposite mine.
I throw my bag in the backseat and lean against the driver door, facing him and crossing my arms over my chest.
“What do you want Aiden?”
“Simple. Tell me what Father told you that you became so volatile.”
“Why do you want to know?”
“No one keeps me in the dark,” he shrugs.
“Seriously? You’re bringing out your guns for something as insignificant as this?”
“Insignificant battles win the war.” He pauses. “Now tell me what I need to know.”
“No.”
“I’m going after Astrid, then. Careful King, your own queen will bring you to your knees.”
My jerk reaction is to punch him in the face.
I don’t.
I should’ve known that Aiden will pine for my weakness. But the thing with Jonathan is none of his fucking business and it’ll remain that way.
“I look forward to spending more time with Clifford. Maybe I should join her and Sterling in bowling?”
“You do that.”
His narrows his eyes. “If you’re testing my bluff, then it’s your loss. You know I will do it.”
“I’m sure you will.” I nod in the opposite direction where a tall blonde walks in the direction of a small green car with her friend. “In exchange, I’ll have a go at Ice Princess.”
His smirk falls and his shoulders crowd with tension.
“I heard she can be fun and not so icy underneath the exterior.”
His right eye twitches.
Checkmate.
I slam my shoulder into his. “Stay the fuck away from Astrid.”
I climb into my car as he continues staring at her with darkened, angry eyes.
I don’t trust Aiden, but I trust whatever fucked up fixation he has on that girl since the first time he saw her last year.
She’s the same girl he’s been stalking on Instagram like a stage five creeper.
Now that Aiden’s taken care of, it’s time I focus on more pressing matters.
Like Jonathan and his fucking secret from hell.
43
Astrid
If life punches you, punch right back.
* * *
A week passes and life goes on.
I guess.
I’ve been focusing on my therapy with Dr Edmonds. We even have two sessions in the same week now.
I still can't remember but talking to the doctor helps. I get to focus on something that’s not the arsehole who shall not be named.
Since the day he pretended he doesn't even know me, he has erased me from his existence. When he walks by me, he doesn’t spare me a glance.
It’s like I’ve become invisible again.
In exchange, I erased him from my existence, too.
Dr Edmonds says that I’m evading my problems. He said the same about the fact that I haven’t spoken to my father since he flew to Russia last week.
But well, the shrink doesn't know everything. He just needs to focus on helping me regain my memories.
I know, deep down, that Levi is hiding something from the day of my hit and run. That’s why he’s been so hell bent that I drop the case.
For months, I’ve been blinded by his wickedness and charm that I didn’t look harder into it.
Now, I’m not.
Now, I won’t stop until I uncover everything that has to do with my accident.
I’ll pluck that crown off his head and push him to the edge.
Maybe then, he’ll realise how it feels like to have your heart broken and watch as it bleeds out.
On Saturday, the home team wins and Ronan throws his usual party. Dan invited me to the game. I passed, but I didn’t pass on the party.
I don't run away anymore.
When any of Levi’s groupies calls me a slut, I call her a slut right back.
If anyone attempts to touch me, I punch them in the face.
I’m done being tolerable to their ridiculous bullying.
Dan stopped me from punching Jerry when he started talking shit again last week. He said, my artist hands need to be protected. Instead, he punched him in the face, knocking him