that’s not necessary.”
“Really. It’s fine.”
Mr. Floyd pulls out his phone. “At least let it be on me.” He taps his phone. “They’re ten minutes away. Brock will keep you company until it arrives.” Before I can answer, he nods at Brock and walks away. “In my study after Evan leaves, son.”
Brock blows out an annoyed breath. “Let’s go, high maintenance.”
He walks ahead of me and yep, time just expired on this relationship.
We venture outside and the air is a little chilly. It’s growing colder by the day. He sits on the cement stairs while I stand, searching out the headlights of the Uber.
“Brock, I think this thing between us has reached its end.”
He blows out a breath and huffs. “Whatever.”
“I don’t understand. Why are you so mad? I’ve done nothing.”
“Do you know how embarrassing it is when my girlfriend—”
I hold up my hand. “I was never your girlfriend. We’ve been dating, but—”
“You’re Evan Erickson. It’s not like you’re the type to sleep around. I never thought you’d play games either.” He pulls out a vile of white powder and dumps some in the lid before snorting it.
Holy shit.
My mouth drops open. I guess there’s no longer any need to pretend he’s something he’s not in front of me anymore. Was I really this stupid and naïve?
“So you and Andrews then?”
“You’re delusional. I was dating you. Happily until you jumped off the deep end tonight.”
Thankfully, two headlights rise above the hill and I blow out a relieved breath. I just want to go home, get in my pajamas, and lose myself in some shitty TV, forgetting this night ever happened.
“Here’s your chariot, ready to take you back to Loserville,” he snips.
I decide to take the high road by not responding and I walk toward the car that’s driving toward me, but Brock’s footsteps fall behind me.
“Goddamn it, Evan.” He grips my upper arm so hard, I cry out and crumple to the ground.
The Uber abruptly stops, and I hear the car door open.
“Motherfucker, get your hands off of her.”
The driver punches Brock and he falls into the perfectly manicured hedge, but the guy jumps on him, pummeling fist after fist into Brock’s face.
“Get in the car,” the driver yells, and a flicker of light catches the most stunning pair of blue eyes. The eyes of the first boy to ever earn my trust.
What the hell is Seth doing here?
Seth throws another punch at Brock, but I grab his arm to pry him off. “He’s not worth it.”
“He hurt you.” I can’t see Seth’s face, but it’s clear from his voice that he’s seething.
“Come on.” I tug enough that he stops.
Brock stumbles to his feet, but his equilibrium is off and he wobbles. “So you are fucking him.”
I step in front of Seth and give Brock a punch of my own. He might not fall into the hedge like from Seth’s punch, but blood spurts from his nose onto the concrete and that’s enough satisfaction for me.
Seth sees me to the car and climbs in, flipping Brock off as we head down his driveway past the cement lion statues and the manicured F in the front yard. I swear I don’t breathe until we’re off Society Hill.
“You okay?” Seth places his hand on my knee.
I nod frantically, shaken by what just happened. “What are you doing here?”
“I came to warn Brock to stay away from my brother once he’s back from rehab. Good thing I showed up when I did.”
Our eyes catch in the light from the streetlights—then a rush of nausea hits me as the adrenaline leaves my system and the alcohol I drank with Nick swirls in my stomach. Bile rushes up my throat and I have no time to open the door, so I lean forward and throw up all over the floorboard.
“I guess it’s true what they say,” Seth says with a sigh.
“What?” I groan, still leaning down over my seat.
“No good deed goes unpunished.”
Chapter Ten
Seth
Evan continues apologizing as I drive us to the car wash to clean up my car. I park and dig through my center console for quarters.
“I’m so sorry,” she says.
“It’s okay. Brock Floyd makes me want to puke too. I just would’ve preferred you’d done it on him.” I climb out and help her out of the car.
“I got this, Seth. Honestly, you just sit there.”
I chuckle. “I’m not letting your drunk ass clean my car.” Thankfully, most of it is on the floor mat, so I carry it over to the trash