Page 92 of Deliverance

Maryia shakes her head, leaning into me slightly.

“None taken. You know I’m…spoken for.”

I laugh at that.

“That’s one way to call being absolutely pussy whipped.”

Maryia’s mouth drops open in outrage as I smirk at her. That look quickly morphs into a blush as she shrugs her shoulders. Such a good little girl.

“At least let me make it look like I’m taking her home for our parents,” Liam says as he begins walking with Maryia.

I keep my arm looped through hers as we all slip out of the party. Well, almost. Christopher Putnam stops us for a moment, his eyes roaming over us all.

“Are you kids off?”

Asher steps up to speak. “We are. Skyla isn’t feeling well, and I have a big presentation in class tomorrow.”

Christopher nods. “Good man. I hope you feel better soon,” he says before placing a kiss on Skyla’s cheek.

On paper, the interaction is harmless, but it doesn’t feel that way. Malice practically seeps out of that man, and I can’t help but watch him with hesitance as he pulls away and turns his attention on someone else.

We all take the opportunity to slip out of the party when I feel eyes burning a hole into the back of my head. Pausing, I turn to see a pair of shining blue ones; even from all the way across the room, I can see how bright they are. She sways ever so slightly, clutching Thomas Booth’s arm for nothing but stability, I’m sure of it. She’s completely fucking wasted. She always seems to be these days.

Thomas lowers his hand before outright palming her ass. Bridgette squirms in his hold, her eyes staying on mine as she tries to pull away from him. It’s like her eyes are begging me to help her, but how could I? Why would I? I can never tell if being with him is what she actually wants or not. Maybe her father is forcing her like they are forcing me with Miles. That would be too fucked up, though, right? He’s so old. He’s known her since she was a baby. He’s disgusting. Take your pick.

It's like Bridgette can read my thoughts, like she knows I won’t march over there and break her free. Again, how could I even do that in the first place? A sad look crosses Bridgette’s face as she shrugs in understanding, like there is no saving her. I watch the hope drain from her already wobbly posture before turning back and facing the older couple they are speaking with. I can almost hear a piece of my chest cracking deep inside me.

“Mags?” I hear a faint voice call.

I can’t look away, though. Looking away feels too awful, like I’m leaving her to fend for herself. Bridgette is a tough bitch, but even the toughest ones need a lifeline from time to time.

“Maggie?” Skyla says a little louder, forcing my eyes to her. “Are you okay?”

I close my eyes, shaking my head before nodding, slapping on a fake as fuck smile.

“I’m great. Never better. Let’s go.”

Skyla looks at me hesitantly, and I don’t even attempt to look Maryia’s way. I can already feel the anger radiating off her. For such a sweet girl, she sure has a short fuse.

Once our cars are brought forward, Liam and I quickly trade Maryia, slipping her into my car before they take off in theirs. She doesn’t say anything to me as I start up the car, but I don’t exactly try to strike up conversation either. In fact, we stay completely silent until we get to campus.

“Are you fucking her?” Maryia asks.

“What?”

“Your stepsister. Bridgette Brenton. Are you fucking her?” she asks again, her tone hard and abrasive.

I frown as I pull into a parking spot, turning off the car as I turn to face her.

“No,” I answer.

Maryia stares at me for a moment.

“No? That’s all you have to say?”

I feel the beginning of a fight brewing, and I gotta be honest, I’m not mentally prepared. Letting out a soft sigh, I rest my head against the headrest.

“What do you want me to say, Maryia?”