Wreck Me (Corrupt Legacy Series #2)

I glare at him, knowing that’s not why he does it.

“Blake, we’re your family.”

“What is this shit, an intervention?”

“You brought it on yourself,” says Kaden before he resumes writing his letter.

Blake’s chair scrapes against the floor as he pushes it back and stalks off.

Meanwhile, worry shackles me in the pit of hell—it’s what I deserve, anyway.

***

I draw an entire building, but what I have been doing for the last few hours is disrespectful to architectural design—unsteady lines like my thoughts. Yet I keep doing it, trying to distract myself from the party that started recently.

I pace around in my bedroom, reminding myself why going out is a bad idea, only to rebut the argument in the next second.

The first images of the party float through the senior chat, and I gnash my teeth. Jessica’s all over him.

Fuck this. Plus, Blake needs someone to look after him. I change in record time, and when I’m in the hallway, Kaden says, “Wait for me.”

“What are you doing?”

“Offering you backup.”

“You’re the best friend possible.”

“It’s not as if you will listen to the voice of reason.”

All the way to the party, energy ripples through me.

“Never thought a guy would have you all jittery.”

“If he touches her…” My blood boils, blinding me with rage and jealousy.

“Nothing. You will do nothing.”

“I’m going to be really stealth when I break every one of his fingers and bleach her hair until it falls out.”

He bursts into laughter.

For a few seconds, I do the same until he remembers, and a shadow falls on his face.

I lean my cheek against his shoulder. “Would you be okay if Celine was with someone else?”

He fists his hands at his sides. “It would kill me, but I want her to be happy. And if someone who isn’t me can do that, I’ll deal with it.”

“You put so much faith in a love that you—”

“I want her safe, Abi. Even if things work out, would we really be free…”

“I think when you love someone, you do stupid things.”

That was my brain voicing and slapping me at the same time with the truth.

There is a small bonfire where most seniors congregate in the meadow. Students surround Blake—girls and boys—clamoring for his attention. He basks in the attention, drinking from a bottle, as a girl caresses his chest.

“Go look after Blake. I’ll be fine,” I tell Kaden, searching for Dane with my heart shriveling in my chest.