Page 20

“No idea. Maybe she was backing out of the affair? He didn’t like that, so he killed them both,” Colt suggests. “I mean, anything we come up with is just speculation. Your dad would obviously be the key to this.”
My entire body is tight, my fists are clenched, and my teeth are grinding together as my mind is assaulted with the truth of what Colt found. My mom was taken from me. The only light in my life was snuffed out by the actions of Trevor Hayes. I jump up off the bed and let out a loud scream.
“This fucking bitch has the nerve to come here? Act all high and mighty like we are scum when her fucking father killed my mother?” I vibrate with a rage I didn’t know I was capable of. “She’s done. She will wish she never stepped foot on this fucking campus.”
“What do you want us to do?” Mason places a hand on my shoulder. “We will do whatever we need to.”
“Kings, Queens—fuck,everyoneat this school is going to make her stay here a living hell,” I seethe.
“And then?” Colt asks.
“Eye for an eye.” I swallow the pain I feel inside. Everything is gone because of the actions of her father. My life, my mother, my future, gone because of the actions of one man.
Well, she’s about to pay for his sins.
seven
PHOENIX
“How did you hurt your wrist?”Dr. Parker tilts his head to the side as he looks over at the bandage I have around it.
We have been sitting in this office for about ten minutes, not speaking a word to each other. He let me just mull over my thoughts, staring at the empty and depressing walls of the office we’re in. I sit on the white plush couch that was brought in for us to use.
“I fell.” I pick at the hem of my shirt, trying to avoid eye contact with him. Because, well, he’s going to try to get things out of me, since it’s his job and all.
“You fell. How?”
“Two left feet, Doc. I mean have you seen these shoes? I don’t know what sexist asshole came up with this outfit for the girls, but I’m sure he was getting his rocks off as he did it. I mean, the knee-highs, the shoes, the fucking skirt! A gust of wind will let everyone on this campus know what color my thong is today.”
I meet his eyes for the first time. He shifts uncomfortably in his seat, and there’s a redness in his cheeks as I bring up my thong. Doc must not get laid much. Ha!
He clears his throat and fiddles with his watch. “So, you tripped?”
“That’s what I said.” I lower my head and pick at the hem of my skirt again.
“You know, Phoenix, if something else is going on, you can tell me. I’m here to help you.” His voice is steady, and I see out of my peripheral vision he has shifted so his arms rest on his legs as he leans forward.
My head snaps up. “You’re here for me? For me? The way a mother or father should be for their daughter? Can I call you to tell you about my day? Any boy problems I have? Will you take me shopping and we can spend quality time together?”
“No—”
“Will you be there for dances to help me pick a dress? Help me look for colleges? Will we get to have family dinners and spend the holidays together? Will you tell me how proud you are of me, that I’m the best daughter in the world? No? No, you can’t be there for me! The only two people in this world who would ever be there for me are dead. Dead! You are here because you are getting paid. Let’s not mix that the fuck up, Doc.” My heart is beating rapidly, my face heating up in anger and my eyes narrowing at Dr. Parker. I grab my backpack and storm out of the office.
Fuck this.
Walking across campus, I grab hold of my locket and try to center myself. I feel so lost. My body shakes and I want to just scream. Every part of me is consumed with grief and disappointment, and I’m hanging on to my sanity by a thread. I take a deep breath; I need to keep calm. I need to stay the course. Graduate and get the fuck out of dodge.
Looking around, I find the courtyard where some other people are sitting around studying and locate a tree to lean up against.
Taking out my shitty phone, I open it up and see that no one has given two shits to text me or call to see how I’m doing. And by no one, I mean my aunt. The only living relative that I even know about.
I never knew my grandparents on either side. They all died before I was born. My father was a single child, and my mother only had my aunt, her sister. As far as I’m aware, I’m it. Well besides the Wicked Witch of the fucking West, my aunt. But she doesn’t count since she can’t even be bothered to call me or, fuck, send a text.
The woman literally filled my checking account up and said, “This is all you get for the year. Spend wisely. I don’t want a phone call saying you need more.” Gee, thanks.
I haven’t touched a single penny. I eat the school lunches and shop at the student center. That’s it. I don’t need her.
As I sit there and contemplate my wonderful fucking life, I’m suddenly hit by something against my face. I pick up a wadded piece of paper and see a couple condoms wrapped up with the note:So you can afford your tuition.