to take care of the house, take care of Scar.”
I can’t believe I’m talking to him about this stuff, but I suppose there’s no hiding the reality of my life from him after what he witnessed with Uncle Dusty. It is what it is. This is me and he doesn’t seem to be scared off by that.
“You two always been so close?” he asks, leaving me to assume he’s talking about my sister.
“Always. With our mom being kind of the flighty-type, I took Scar under my wing when we were little. Partially so she wouldn’t feel lonely. Partially so I wouldn’t feel lonely,” I admit. “Hunter was never really much of a homebody. He’d eat and sleep there, then spent most of his time with Ricky and their other friends.”
West nods and I’m still amazed we’re able to have normal conversations. Ones where we’re not trying to cut each other with our words.
“What about you and your brothers? You three seem pretty tight.”
“Kind of don’t have a choice,” he says with a quiet laugh. “It’s a triplet thing. Even on the rare occasion that one of us is pissed at one of the others, we get over it pretty quickly.”
“Must be nice. Scar and I have been known to go at it pretty hard sometimes. She’s a good kid, but she definitely gets into her share of trouble.”
Trouble for her, lately, goes by the name Shane.
West goes quiet when we turn the corner and my class comes into view.
“Those kids from the other week still giving her shit?” he asks. “I mean, I know you don’t like me checking in on her, but—”
“It’s fine,” I cut in. “My best friend, Jules, has been checking in with her throughout the day. The kids still talk shit, but none have put their hands on her again. Guess that’s good enough for now.”
The subject of my sister still feels a bit weird being discussed between West and me, but he seems genuinely concerned. Actually, I’m a little embarrassed for the many, many times I’ve cut him deep over asking about her.
“I’m sorry what Parker did affected her. Even though I didn’t post the video, I know some of the blame is still on me. If she weren’t out to make my life a shitshow right now, this never would’ve happened.”
As soon as he mentions her name, she rounds the corner and spots us. Like we’ve summoned a demon to appear. I guess that isn’t too far from the truth.
Whatever conversation she was having with her minions comes to a screeching halt, and she scans West and I with a look. One filled with pure hatred. I’m sure she notices that the ice between West and me has clearly started to thaw. For instance, I’m not walking four steps ahead of him like before, and we’re clearly speaking cordially to one another. Also, there’s no doubt in my mind she saw Pandora’s post about him spending the night. Not that we did anything other than talk, but with West’s rep, I’m sure people have assumed things.
I’m reminded of what he said, about her begging for another chance. Which is why I’m positive seeing us together this morning is killing her.
“You okay?”
I peer up when West asks. “I’m fine.”
His brow quirks and he laughs a little. “Anyone ever tell you you’re a terrible liar.”
My expression had gone cold at the sight of Parker, but West manages to draw a smile out of me. I flash a look back toward her, and West follows my gaze.
“Don’t even worry about her,” he reassures me. “She’ll get hers as soon as I figure things out.”
I have his full attention again when he faces me, and I’m fixated on his eyes. Their deep green has always left me feeling kind of mesmerized. My eyes shift to his lips next and I’m tempted to kiss him right here, in front of everyone. In front of Parker. But I know what a bad idea that would be. Even if it is the only way I can take a stab at her for what she’s done to me. I hate that she’s gotten away with it this long. Hate that I promised West I’d keep his secret.
“I should get to class,” he says quietly, barely loud enough for me to hear over the ambient chatter as others move through the halls.
He’s lingering in my space and I kind of still want to kiss him. Only… not because of who’s watching, not because