Page 10 of Ruthless Blade

He nodded, “Yes.”

I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms over my chest. “Fine.”

“Great! Meet you downstairs!” He took off so fast I couldn’t even blink.

I caught up to him, but as he slid into the chair, I tripped on something and fell. Tears fell down my face, my ankle hurting.

“See, this is why I say no running in the house.”

Meeting Kayden’s gaze, a smirk on his lips, I knew I had lost and there would be no rematch. Whatever he had planned, or wanted from me, would never go away. I was sure he would cash in on the favor sooner rather than later.

Did I sign my life away to my brother’s best friend?

Ugh.

Chapter Five

LEXI

I hate him. I hate him. I fucking hate him.

The bus arrived back in Colorado Springs, ten minutes away from campus. Hazel had told me she would pick me up so I didn’t have to walk.

As the bus came to a stop, I gathered my things, thinking of everything that had happened. I had so much to tell her; I didn’t know where to begin.

One thing I did know was Kayden sure knew how to piss me off. He’d done it since we were kids, and even after thinking about that memory, I wondered if this was him cashing out on that stupid favor he always reminded me about throughout the years. He’d never told me what it was, and I’d avoided him as much as possible in the last year so he wouldn’t get close to me.

I wonder if this was the favor.

Hazel gave me a big hug as I got off, and I was so thankful for it. She was one of those best friends who was more like a sister. Someone you could count on for anything. She truly cared about me, and vice versa.

She leaned back, concern crossing her striking features. “You okay?”

I shook my head; a lone tear fell from my eye. I guess the events of the last twenty-four hours got to me more than I’d hoped.

“Come on, let’s go get some food.”

That was the last thing I wanted, but it was probably best not to leave me alone with my thoughts. The scars on my wrist itched at the thought.

I’d managed to hide it from everyone, and the last thing I needed was my moment of weakness to be on display for everyone, even my best friend. There was judgment that came with those scars. Questions. Is she crazy? Does she need to go to a mental hospital? Does she need help? Why is she doing this? Is she looking for attention?

These were all questions I didn’t have the patience to answer. I shouldn’t be here. They should be.

“Want to tell me what happened?” She asked as we reached her brand new golden Toyota Camry. Her family was rich, and sometimes that changed a person, making them care more about items than people, but she was one of the most humble and down to earth people I’d ever met.

The car unlocked, we got in, buckled our seatbelts and she turned it on. I swallowed, my throat parched, in need of water or something stronger.

“I don’t even know where to begin...” My hands folded in my lap, as the anxiety crept in, thinking about what Kayden had in store. Maybe I should move far away and forget this place ever existed.

As much as I wanted to, though, I knew I couldn’t. This place held too many memories, too much pain, but also so much happiness. I was doomed to live here forever, no escaping, because I couldn’t let go.

“Let’s start with how you ended up at Kayden’s house. By the way, how did you not know?” I was taken aback for a moment at her question. It felt like she was accusing me of something, but I wasn’t sure of what. It’s like I had to defend myself, almost as if I should’ve known he’d be there.

“Kayden didn’t use to live there. When we were growing up, they lived right down the street from us. Then his parents got divorced, and they moved. While my brother was there all the time, I wasn’t welcome. He didn’t want me at his house.”

Hazel made a left-hand turn, taking us to Rita’s, a taco shop we loved to go to. “What is his deal with you? I can’t tell if he hates you or wants to jump your bones. He gives you those hot/cold looks all the time.”

I didn’t respond as she pulled into a spot. There were a lot of people here, which wasn’t surprising given it was a Saturday night.