does this mean, Linc? What’s does this fucking mean?!” I spit out, clinging to Lincoln’s shirt to prevent me from falling to the floor.
“It means we’re shit out of luck, Finn. The ball is in their court now. We just have to sit back and wait for their next move,” Easton explains beside us, looking way too cool, considering we are all royally fucked.
“East is right,” Lincoln agrees stoically. “If they took the box, it means they know you had no intention of giving it to Stone. We just have to wait and see how they’ll react. There’s nothing we can do now, Finn. No sense in you getting all worked up. Whatever they end up doing, we’ll figure a way out of it. Together.”
I stare at my two best friends with my mouth agape, as they both pretend to act prepared—just so they can ease my anxious, frantic state—for the shitstorm that is about to come. Even as they try their best to comfort me without losing their own shit, it still does nothing to lighten my weary heart. I feel the walls continue to close in on me, making me realize that my time has run out.
‘We warned you.’
I recollect the words written in black lettering on my bathroom mirror, left there for all to see. And it’s true. They did warn me. I simply didn’t follow through as they expected, which means they are now coming for us.
But most terrifyingly, it also means they are going after Stone themselves, which is the real reason why I feel my world is suddenly coming undone.
What are those fuckers going to do with you?
And how can I fucking stop it?
Chapter 24
Stone
“You’ve been more in your head than usual, quarterback. Want to talk about it?” I ask, running my fingers through his silky blond hair as he clings to my hips.
Something has been on his mind for the past few weeks now, and whatever it is, it’s consuming Finn from the inside. Ever since I went to his father’s birthday party, there has been a dark cloud cast over him, and as much as he tries to shake it off, the looming presence just won’t give him a moment’s peace. I’m not sure what happened, but I’m positive it’s something to do with that night. He was fine and happy one minute, and the next he looked as if his whole world was falling apart.
I didn’t want to pry at the time, but if I were a betting woman, my money would be on his father. I don’t think Hank Walker appreciated my presence in his house, nor the fact that Finn introduced me as his girlfriend. I’m sure he must have accosted him at some point in the evening and told him just as much, while I wasn’t looking. If that’s what has the Finn so upset and worried, then there really is no need to probe further.
The old man doesn’t like his star-athlete son dating a girl from the south side of town. So what? Like I care what he thinks of me. I’m sure he believes I’m just another gold-digger from the wrong side of the tracks, wanting to latch myself onto his son as a meal ticket out of the filth I was born into. As if I haven’t busted my ass to do that on my own. As long as Finn knows the truth, then I couldn’t care one way or the other about his father’s opinion.
As far as I’m concerned, there are only two people in this relationship—me and pretty boy. Everyone else can go fuck themselves, and I’m not afraid of saying those exact words right to the old man’s face, either.
“You know you can say anything to me, right?” I continue to probe patiently.
I’m hoping Finn will just come out and say whatever is troubling him. But instead of fessing up to his old man’s grief, he just tightens his hold on me, his head nestling on my chest to seek the comfort only I can give him.
“Nothing’s wrong, Stone.”
“You’re lying. And if it’s to spare my feelings, you really don’t have to. I’m a big girl, pretty boy. I can take the hit.”
“But maybe I can’t,” he mumbles, not wanting to look me in the eye. “I don’t want to lose you.” He breathes out hoarsely, making my stupid heart ache for him.
“Pretty deep conversation to have in the school’s parking lot, don’t you think?” I try to tease, but his grip