Page 46 of Fueled Fury

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Austin

She has to be an angel because no one else could’ve pulled me away from that miserable party intact. How I wanted to burn down the entire house and everything in it. I don’t give a shit how my mother speaks to me. I’m used to it, but I won’t allow her to treat Lainey badly because she’s with me. My mom adored Lainey, bragging on her even more than Eli—and that’s saying something. But she turned on her at the drop of a dime, all because she’s with me. That says even more.

As we pull up to Jean’s house, I spot Lainey get out of the car and walk over to my truck as I remain in the seat. She hops in the passenger seat and closes the door behind her.

“I’m not ready to go inside.”

“Okay.” Me neither.

My phone vibrates in my pocket, so I pull it out to read the message.

Dad: You are not allowed at the Sunland house after what you did to Eli.

Tossing my phone on the dash, I let out a huff. Eli got what he wanted. Now I have to not only fight to get through to Lainey, I have to fight them to even be under the same roof as her, unless I can talk her into moving in with me.

“I’m not welcome back at the Sunland house.”

“Austin, it’s—”

“Will you consider staying at our house with me?”

Her eyes search mine as she asks, “Ours?”

I hadn’t realized I’d said it, but it’s correct. “Yeah. Just think about it.”

“I will.” Lainey pulls her phone out of her jeans, looking to the screen. “We should probably go inside. My mom is calling me again.”

Looking to her mom’s house, I realize I’m not welcome here either, thanks to Eli’s stunts. They were always designed to end with me being the bad guy. I guess some things will never change.

A few seconds later, Jean is running out of the house, waving her arms around. She doesn’t look mad, as I’d expected, she looks scared. Bailing out the truck, Lainey does the same as we hurry to meet her mom as she rushes up to us, wailing that she’s been trying to reach Lainey for an hour.

“What? What is it?” Lainey asks.

She lets out a sob, pulling a stiff Lainey into her arms. “It’s your father. He’s been in an accident.”