Page 27 of Saving Sparrow (Slow Burns & Tragic Beginnings #2)

“You in the mood to get fucked up again, Delaney?” Quentin snarled. Chad and the other guy backed away, and now everyone else began drawing closer to the scene. Miguel caught up, coming to a halt, out of breath. He looked me over. I nodded to let him know I was okay. Physically, anyway.

Dexter couldn’t speak, and his feet dangled in the air while he tried to peel Quentin’s fingers off him. Quentin vibrated with anger, the veins in his neck bulging.

“Let him go, Quentin.” Miguel’s tone was urgent. I followed his gaze to see Mr. Ballbuster striding down the hall, bullhorn in hand. The other students dispersed, along with Dexter’s friends.

Quentin dropped Dexter. He doubled over, holding his neck and coughing.

“See what I mean,” Quentin said as the principal barreled down on us. “Always showing up to fuck up the fun.”

“Are w-we in trouble?” I panicked.

“I’m the star quarterback,” Quentin said. “I run this fucking school.”

“What’s the problem here, boys?” Mr. Ballbuster asked. He had a nasally voice, and his shirt was too tight for his rounded stomach.

“Dickhead-Delaney here was picking on my friend.” Quentin nodded toward me. Miguel pressed into my side, and I exhaled at the comfort.

“Language, Mr. McAllen,” Ballbuster warned. “Is that true, Mr. Delaney?” Dexter hadn’t recovered from being choked yet.

“What’s your name, son?” he asked me.

“Elliott,” I blurted when Miguel subtly nudged me.

“Was Mr. Delaney harassing you, Elliott?”

“Y-yes, Mr. Ballbuster.” My response made Miguel groan.

The principal’s lips thinned, and he looked between Miguel, Quentin, and Dexter with clear annoyance. Turned out his real name was Mr. Hayward.

“Mr. Delaney, get changed and head home. Your parents will be receiving a call from me this evening.” He pointed to us next. “You three, in my office. Now.”

We followed him to his office, taking the seats in front of his desk. He tossed his glasses onto the stack of papers in front of him before closing his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose. Miguel reached over to grab my hand.

“Exactly how much of a headache are you going to be this year, Mr. McAllen?”

Miguel’s mother had both their last names changed to McAllen after marrying Quentin’s father. But we all knew he was talking to Quentin.

“I’m not the one who starts shit—”

“Language, Mr. McAllen!”

Miguel squeezed my hand like he knew this was all too much for me. Mr. Hayward was too angry with Quentin to notice.

“I’m not the one who starts s-h-i-t,” Quentin amended, spelling it out. “I think we need to make an announcement in the next Panthers Gazette letting everyone know Elliott is under my protection.” The Panther was the football team’s nickname and school mascot.

“Oh, do you now, Mr. McAllen? Well, why stop there? Why not have it announced on the six o’clock news too?”

“Even better,” Quentin replied, unbothered by Mr. Hayward’s sarcasm. If I weren’t so shaken up and scared, I would’ve laughed. Miguel chuckled for both of us.

Mr. Hayward sighed, looking like he’d aged a decade in the last ten minutes.

“Elliott’s our friend. We won’t stand by and let a bunch of bigoted dic— dimwits ,” he corrected when the principal looked ready to explode, “mess with him.”

Mr. Hayward sat back in his seat, digging through his drawer and pulling out a packet of Tums. “Duly noted, Mr. McAllen. I’ll have a talk with Mr. Delaney and his cronies.

You just do your best to stay out of trouble.

I don’t need Coach Saxton breathing down my neck because I dared to treat you like I would any other disruptive student. ”

We waited quietly while he chewed half a pack of antacids.

“Go, get out of here,” he said with a wave of his hand. “I’ve had enough for one day.”

Quentin drove us to their house, even after I told him I wanted to be dropped off at home.

I wasn’t even sure if it was my home anymore.

My aunt hadn’t kicked me out yet, but she hadn’t been home since we signed the papers either.

She’d likely remember she needed to get rid of me for good after the initial high of being rich without court-imposed limits wore off a little.

I ended up jumping out of the car, slamming my door shut, and running through the woods. Quentin shouting my name echoed through the trees, but he didn’t follow me. I was sure I had Miguel to thank for that.

I spent hours thinking until I’d made up my mind that I wouldn’t go back.

I’d get my GED and stay at Quentin and Miguel’s house alone during the day while they were at school.

That would mean spending hours without them.

The thought made me sick to my stomach. But I wouldn’t survive another day like today, not even with Quentin and Miguel protecting me.

I wasn’t prepared for a world like this.

I was too used to a life of seclusion. A life where no one knew I existed, not even the God I couldn’t stop praying to.

Not even my parents. All they ever saw was something broken that needed to be fixed, and now I was supposed to behave like I was normal?

Like I wasn’t different from everyone else?

It wasn’t Quentin and Miguel’s fault, though, so later that night, after trying and failing to get to sleep, I realized I needed them. Or maybe remembered was the best word for it.

I thought about texting them that I was on my way over. In my last text, I’d told them I needed time to think, and that I’d see them tomorrow. Were they upset with me? Quentin must be losing his mind.

I decided I’d surprise them, hurrying out of bed to change my clothes. One single thought drove me as I raced to them.

I need them…

I need them…

I need them…

Entering the house, I took the stairs several at a time, ignoring the pain in my shin when I tripped up the last few. I just needed them to hold me. I needed to fall asleep between the only people who ever took care of me.

Approaching the bedroom door, I froze at Miguel’s shouts.

“Stop!”

Were they arguing? Were they arguing because of me?

“Quentin, I said stop.” Glass shattered, and without hesitating, I rushed through the door. What I saw changed everything. What I saw changed me .