Page 60 of Wrecked By a Devil

“Speaking of your family, too bad Malachi didn’t come, I was hoping to see him again.” His eyes shift between Cain and me, reading our reaction. “How is he?”

“You don’t talk about my brother!” I snap, not caring about holding myself back anymore. He’s pressing all the wrong buttons, knowing exactly what to say to get a reaction out of me and it takes all my strength to stay put.

“Careful, Ezekiel,” Nolan chuckles beside him, running a hand through his hair. “You seem to have become emotional since the last time we saw each other is.” His eyes stay on mine as the smile slowly spreads across his face. “I guess that’s what happens when a man gets distracted by a pretty stripper.”

“What did you just say?” My vision narrows.

“I wonder how special that pretty little stripper is for the great Zeke Kavanagh to turn into this.”

Before I realize what I’m doing, I cross the tiny space between us and grab him by the collar, ripping him out of the booth. My fist crashes into his jaw hard enough to send him stumbling backward into the table behind him, glasses shattering on the floor.

I barely get the chance to swing again, before Cain wraps his arm around my chest and pulls me back. But I continue trying to set myself free.

“Zeke!” Cain snaps. “He’s trying to get a reaction out of you. Don’t stoop to his level.”

“Looks like I got one,” Nolan wipes the blood from the corner of his mouth and smiles.

“Let’s go!” Cain’s grip around me tightens and he starts pulling me outside.

“He…” I try speaking once we’re outside, but the words don’t seem to come to. “After dad and Malachi…”

“I know, Zeke,” Cain reassures me, taking the car keys from me. “I’m driving.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Riley

“An A+?” Sofia’s voice snaps behind me. “You’re on a roll, girl! Congrats!”

“Thank you,” I smile politely.

“A few of us are headed to Molly’s to celebrate passing the exam,” Sofia continues enthusiastically, waving the paper with C+ on it around like it’s some treasure. She’s someone who surely knows how to appreciate everything in life. “Do you want to join us?”

“Gosh, I really wish I could,” This is not the first time I have rejected Sofia’s attempt to get close to me, and I’m starting to feel bad about it. “But I already made plans with Mia. Maybe we can grab a coffee the next time?”

“Sure, no problem,” She smiles. “We can hang some other time.”

“Thanks for understanding.”

“Of course, silly,” Sofia gently pats my shoulder. “So, you cleared all of your exams this semester?”

“Yes,” I say as we both start walking to the parking lot, Sofia to her car, and me to meet up with Mia. “It’s such a relief, honestly. What about you?”

“I still have two left,” she explains. “Pediatric Emergencies and Ethics.”

“Gosh, those were so tough,” I remember how much I was struggling with Pediatric Emergencies. It wasn’t even about the subject itself, but the thought of having a child hurting in front of me and being the one holding its life in my hands creeps me out like crazy. But I don’t share that with Sofia. “I hated Ethics.”

“I hate it, too,” Sofia sighs dramatically. “If I were interested in learning some boring textbook stuff, I would have chosen a different profession. Maybe I’d be studying to become an accountant, or a lawyer.”

I chuckle, knowing exactly what she means. “And the way Mrs. Bright teaches that class makes it even harder to digest. I could never make sense of her analogies.”

“I know, right?” Sofia agrees, laughing. “I was actually going to ask if I could borrow your notes.”

“If you want to give it a try, I can lend them to you,” I say laughing.

“That’s really kind of you, Riley,” Sofia’s smile becomes soft and warm, all the jokes from earlier vanishing. “Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it,” I say as she pulls me into a quick half-hug.