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“Let me look.” He sighed, grabbing my chin to keep my head still as he assessed my nose. “I don’t know what’s gotten into that girl. She’s not usually violent.”

“I’m fine,” I said as I pulled back, getting to my feet to wash my hands in the sink. “Cruz thinks I should learn self-defense.”

Dad groaned, running a hand over his face. “Just what I need. The two of you beating each other up in the living room regularly. I think Cruz just wants to spend more time with you.”

Cruz smiled, leaning back in his chair and showing off his tanned abs and the tattoo across his chest. It was a skull with crows flying towards his shoulders. He was cute, but he didn’t give me butterflies when he smiled at me or anything like that. I was more than happy to keep him in the friend zone.

“I love spending time with Luna. She painted my nails, see.” He held his hands out that had some of my blood on them, and I cringed.

“Wash your hands, you weirdo.”

“I was hoping to make it look like I got ambushed on the way home and had to fight my way out. I’m supposed to be on a job with Knox, remember?” he said with amusement, getting to his feet and moving towards me, nudging me out of the way with his hip so he could reach the water. “I don’t think he’ll be pleased when I get home.”

“I’m surprised he hasn’t tried calling you.”

“He has. My phone’s on silent.” He grinned, scrubbing his hands as I handed him the soap.

I sensed Dad eyeing us, but I ignored him and dried my hands on the towel on the counter while scolding Cruz.

“He’s your boss. You’re going to be in trouble.”

“It’s not like he can fire me. I’m one of the best he’s got,” he replied smugly, taking the towel from me when I was done. “I’d much prefer to hang out with you than Knox.”

“I don’t pay your bills,” I pointed out, making him laugh.

“Neither does that fucker. I pay my own bills. I should go though. You sure you’re okay?” He studied me, acting as if Dad wasn’t right there to help me if I needed it.

“Yep. Thanks for bringing me home and for letting me stay last night.” I gave him a smile but he waggled a finger at me like a naughty child.

“And next time you need me, call me. I gave you my number for a reason.”

“I promise.”

I walked him out to his car and said goodbye, and I wasn’t surprised to find Dad still waiting for me when I walked back inside. He looked worried about me, so I knew I’d have to give him some kind of explanation for my breakup.

I gave him a loose version of the fight, and as much as he was annoyed at Riley, he didn’t lose his temper about it like I expected, which was a relief.

I pulled my phone from my pocket as a message came through, and I glanced down at it to find Stanley’s name on the screen. I opened it, a chill running down my spine at the message. He’d been sending me drunk messages lately, and since I kept ignoring him, he was getting angrier with me by the day.

Stanley: You think you can ignore me, you stupid cunt? Just you wait until I get my hands on you.

I doubted he’d actually touch me, he wasn’t violent, but everyone seemed to be proving me wrong lately, and that scared me.

“What’s wrong?” Dad asked, snapping me from my thoughts. He’d go on a rampage if I told him Stanley had been bothering me, so I kept it to myself and forced a smile.

“Nothing. I might go and study for a while.”

The look he gave me told me didn’t believe me, but he let me leave the room without argument.

* * *

Riley followed me around school the next day like a lost puppy. I assumed she’d act unbothered by me and go back to climbing all over the other girls, but I was wrong. Everywhere I went, she was there, and she begged me to talk to her twice despite having an audience. She was freaking out from me telling her to go away, but she didn’t keep pestering me, giving me the space I wanted.

She’d always laughed at others who chased someone around desperately, so I could only imagine what people were saying behind her back. Riley didn’t chase anyone, so I was surprised there wasn’t an article in the damn newspaper about this.

She was demanding to know who’d hit me too, but I told her to mind her own business and that I was fine. I didn’t want her storming over to my place to beat up my sister.

“Hey,” Landon said as he jogged towards me, glancing at Riley who was sulking by her car with a cigarette between her lips. It was the end of the day, and she knew I wouldn’t let her follow me home.