Page 35 of Savage Salvation

“I’ve already told you, none of it matters, so drop it.” If he doesn’t, I’m going to lose it. Again. And I don’t want that to happen, because I’m not sure I can pull myself back from the edge this time.

Then Memphis stops me in my tracks. “Or maybe it’s because she’s all that matters.”

26

Kinsley

My fingers clutch the steering wheel, my eyes looking down at the dash. I want to drive away from this godforsaken school so bad I can’t stand it. And all because I’ll have to go inside the building and sit next to him, like it’s any other day. I could do that if I knew which version of him to brace myself for—the evil brute who wants to inflict misery or the merciful softie who wants to take care of me. Neither sound like easy ones to deal with at the moment, but I will my fingers to pull the handle, throw the door open, and step out.

I’m not even two feet from the serenity of my car before I spot him. His arms folded across his chest, his ankles crossed, his ass leaning against yet another vehicle in his collection. There’s a deep urge in me that wants to make that vehicle match his truck, but I decide to keep walking, if only to avoid him for the time being. And it works for a few minutes while I walk to class and take my seat in the mostly empty classroom. Moments later, Gage walks into the classroom and takes his former seat, the one that he’d forced Isaac to sit in. I guess all the IOUs are paid up. But has Gage finally given up? Why is that unsettling?

There’s only about ten seconds for me to ponder that clusterfuck until I spot Isaac walk in the door. My chest immediately tightens, my eyes widening as I take in his bruised face. He curses under his breath upon spotting Gage’s location as he takes his former seat beside me. It’s impossible for me to tear my eyes away from his arm. The one covered in a cast from just above his elbow to his hand.

“What happened?”

He doesn’t respond, only leans back and pulls his phone from his slacks pocket and looks to it.

“Isaac,” I whisper, “Are you all right?” I might be pissed at him, but I can’t disregard his injuries.

“Yep,” is all he says, his attention never leaving his phone.

“What happened to your arm?” Among other things but the broken arm is the most shocking. The band. He can’t play. It’s not even about the shows, he won’t be able to play, and he enjoys it so much.

My question goes unanswered yet again as a sinister laugh sounds across the room as I look to see Ryan taking a seat, his amused glare on Isaac. “Damn. You did some damage.” Only he’s not looking at Isaac when he says that—he looks to Gage. No. Fucking. Way.

“Did you do this?” I ask Gage who also doesn’t answer my question. But I need a response. He was pissed off at me and took it out on Isaac. Shooting out of my chair, I move in front of Gage, leaning on the table in front of him. “Did you do it?”

“Aw, she wants to protect her little friend.” Ryan pouts his bottom lip out and cocks his head.

“Shut the fuck up or you will need someone to protect you,” I shout. Swiftly, Ryan stands, bowing up to me. I’m so tired of these motherfuckers bullying and barging their way through everything.

Ryan shouts, heading for me, and I go straight for him, no hesitation. Only a stupid, solid lug steps in front of me, blocking my way. As usual. Gage. His back is to me, and to Ryan he calmly says, “Sit down.”

And it takes him a second, but Ryan sluggishly takes a step away then drops his ass on the chair like the little controlled coward he is.

“Good boy. Way to obey your master,” I say, my eyes on Gage’s back that is still facing me because he’s the one my true rage is for. And that is just another example why. He says sit. And the whipped candy ass plants it in his chair.

“You’d better shut that bitch up,” Ryan makes no move to do it himself, his hard stare pointed my way as Gage turns to face me, looming over me with his arrogant, almighty glare.

“Kinsley, come sit down,” Isaac pleas.

“Listen to your friend,” Gage says flatly as I take a step closer to him.

“Kins, please, come sit down. He didn’t do it.” Isaac is lying. I know he is. For Gage.

Turning to Isaac, I search his terrified face. I know Gage sets fear in all with his torment, but this is preposterous. “He broke your arm. He beat the shit out of you. Look at your face. Why are you protecting him?”

I know I won’t get the answer I’m looking for so I look back at Gage. “Just when I thought I couldn’t hate you more, you prove me wrong. He is my friend, someone I actually care about. Something you wouldn’t know anything about because all you do is use and abuse people.”

I feel a hand clasp around my elbow. Isaac attempts to tug me back. Gage’s hard stare looks to Isaac.

“Tell her,” Gage says so lowly that for a second, I convince myself I hadn’t heard him correctly. But I had. And he’s talking to Isaac.

“Tell me what?” The words spill out in a breathless plea as I turn to Isaac, who won’t look at me. No. What is it now? What is Gage going to take away from me now? My friend won’t even look at me. “Isaac.” His name comes out as a shriek, causing him to flinch and take a step away from me.

“That day I gave him my seat. That wasn’t the first favor he’s asked me to do.” The confession is already too much because I know what follows, something that is going to crush what little faith I have left in Isaac.

“Tell me. Now.” My voice is demanding, strong, but my insides are caving, crumbling by the second.