The Cursed Series, Parts 3 & 4 (Cursed #3-4) - Rebecca Donovan Page 0,57

over the room.

“I guess I’m not sure what’s going to send you spiraling anymore.” I want to be sympathetic; I do. But the part of me that’s fed up is in control.

Olivia looks stunned, whereas my mother ducks her chin in shame.

“I know you’re trying to be a supportive friend. And I’m happy she has you to help her now,” I tell Olivia, “but you haven’t been living with her for the past three years, forced to make sure she gets up for work or remembers to buy milk because she’s too devastated to function. Someone had to step up and be the adult. It was better for a while, when Nick was around to keep her happy, but apparently, the only way she can live is if there’s a man involved. I’ve never been enough.”

My mother gasps, tears brimming on the edges of her lids.

“I’m sure that’s not true,” Olivia defends passionately, taking my mother’s hand. “She loves you.” But the words don’t come from the person who is meant to say them.

“She wants to,” I correct. “Doesn’t mean she does.”

The anger that has always lived right under the surface runs deeper now. It’s like it’s been waiting for this moment to rise up and take over.

“Do whatever you have to do to be happy. Like you said, you don’t need me protecting you anymore. And it’s time I stop coddling you. I hope you figure out you’re worth so much more than how you let these men treat you or else life will keep sucking.” I stand. “And don’t worry about me. I can take care of myself, like I have since Grandma died.”

And that’s my exit. An emotional punch to the gut, and I see it in their slack-jawed expressions. My mother has a hand to her heart like I just ran her through. I don’t stick around for the empty excuses.

I walk directly to the gym, needing desperately to pummel the shit out of something before I explode. And I do until my knuckles are sore and I’m showered in sweat. Thankfully, the boxing area is vacant, and there aren’t many people in the gym today—I probably sounded like a dying animal with each grunt and howl as my fists connected with the bag. When I’m too exhausted to lift my arms is the moment Mr. Garner decides to make his appearance. I’m sure he planned it that way, so I wouldn’t take a swing at him.

“What do you want?” I bark, unwrapping the tape from my hands.

“I owe you an explanation,” he says, looking guilty but not exactly sounding it.

“You don’t owe me anything. Whatever the reason is you’re at Blackwood, it doesn’t matter. Spy on me for your brother. Try to keep me under control for my mother. Whatever. You do you.”

“But I’m not here for them. I’m here for you. Lana, I really do want to help.”

I laugh in an obnoxious are-you-kidding-me way. “By deceiving me? That’s awesome. You’re such a Harrison.” I run a towel over my face and toss it in the laundry bin. “You’re incapable of fixing my life, Isaac.” I move to walk out the door.

“What if I told you I could help Allie?”

I spin around, narrow-eyed, suspicious. “What do you mean? Did you see what happened that night?”

“No, but I know,” he answers regretfully. “And there’s a way to prove she didn’t fall and you didn’t push her.”

I purse my lips, waiting for him to continue. Because I know there’s proof too.

“There’s a recording … of the incident.” He breathes out, like it was painful to say out loud. “I don’t have it, but I may be able to get it.”

“How the hell do you know about it?” I accuse, every muscle tense.

He adjusts his glasses, surprise flashing beneath his lenses. Everything is starting to come into focus, and it’s not making me feel good. If anything, it only adds gasoline to the flames already raging inside me.

“It was … brought to my attention recently.” He evades, clearing his throat like he does when he’s not being completely truthful.

“Parker?” But I don’t need the answer. It’s obvious it was him now that I know they’re related. “And why wasn’t it given to the police from the beginning?”

Isaac looks everywhere but at me. “There’s a lot at stake. We … they wanted to protect the recording until it was absolutely necessary to turn it in.”

I growl in frustration, my hands on my head. “I can’t believe you’re one of