a future together with the one girl I’d been in love with for as long as I could remember. When she was gone, I’d been incomplete, unfulfilled, and resigned to live out the legacy that had been planned for me. I never thought I’d find anything that would fill the void, so instead, I chose the path that was expected of me. I did my time, put the family first, and carried out my responsibilities.
And I’d left Charlotte buried deep in my dark and murky past.
But now she’s back, the only sliver of light in a never-ending tunnel of blackness.
I love her.
More than anything.
That’s a very fucking dangerous reality…
For both of us.
When I can’t pace for what feels like the thousandth time next to Charlotte’s bed, I walk out of her room and back toward the waiting room to see if her parents have shown up. The nurse who let me into her room winks at me as I pass and I flash a half-smirk in reply.
She knows.
Fuck it, I’m guilty.
But at least I’m here.
I wander down the hall, looking for a cafeteria sign, not that I can even think about eating right now. But Char may be awake soon and it’s almost lunchtime, so—
My jaw tightens when my eyes land on a tall, lanky blonde guy who’s just left a different room. There is a woman on his right and a man on his left, both perfectly groomed and dressed to the nines for their impromptu visit to the Emergency Room.
Fucking Blaine and his parents, strutting their asses out of here like they’re late for their tee time at the club.
I pick up the pace, following them into the waiting room, and just as his parents exit through the revolving glass doors, I grab the tail of his rumpled shirt and yank him backward.
He stumbles, twisting around to face me with a death glare. “What the fuck is your problem, asshole?”
“So you’re just gonna leave, huh? No looking back? I guess old family friends don’t really rate. She’s lying back there because of you, and you’re walking out of here without a fucking scratch or a care about anyone other than your damn self?” I inch closer to him, my nostrils flaring. He’s got a couple of inches on me, but I’ve got more strength in my fucking pinkie than he has in his whole upper body.
“Fuck you, Xander. It was an accident!”
“Because of you, dick!” I shove him hard and he catches himself before crashing into the doorframe. He turns fast, waving his parents on. They stare at me through the freshly washed glass, their horrified expressions telling me exactly what they’re thinking.
What they’re fearing.
Nobody wants to be caught on my radar.
It’s ironic, actually.
The world of Ridgeview believes I’m vicious.
Dangerous.
Likened to a monster.
But the people in my inner circle…the ones whose opinions matter most to my future?
They think I’m rash.
Short-sighted.
Likened to a peon.
But right now, I glare at Blaine with such intensity, if his face suddenly burst into flames, it wouldn’t shock me.
He straightens up, his blue eyes icy. “You’re no good for her. You don’t deserve her!”
“Oh, and you do? You, the guy who’s fucking high-tailing it out of here with Mommy and Daddy, probably to go and pick out the next hundred-thousand car to total!”
The corners of his lips curl into a nasty smirk. “Jealous, Iazetti? I mean, yeah, I know you’ve got cash, but let’s face it. You’ve got nothing else but a reputation to ride on. Don’t kid yourself. Everyone knows you’re a goddamn punk, but they’re afraid of you so they turn the other cheek. It’s not because they’re in awe of the life you live. You walk around that school thinking your shit is gold, but you know what I think?” He leans in close. “I think you’re afraid everyone is going to see you as the piece of trash you really are. You surround yourself with your asshole buddies and the hottest pussy at school, and you think that gives you status, that it makes people look up to you. It doesn’t,” he seethes. “And soon enough people will know the truth about you, who you really are, and what your world really looks like. What will you do then, huh? Because the truth won’t help you win a girl like Charlotte Hawthorne. She’s not stupid. She deserves better than you. You’re a fucking criminal who probably won’t live to see graduation because you’re so busy trying to stay up on