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Slowly, Olivia starts to move, and her mouth opens. “Oh, my god, Lucas. Stop. Nothing happened. It’s a lie.”
“A lie?” he shouts. “Your father said the scum got sent to detention.” He turns on me again. “You should have rotted in there, you sick shit.”
Olivia starts to move forward. Lucas grabs her wrist, and she winces in pain. That’s enough.
I shake the men off my body and lunge for Lucas. This time, the bare-fisted blows are savage, not bullshit bravado, as I pummel him into the floor. All the hurt and the pain release me as I take another swing at his cringing head. I’m grabbed from behind again and pulled off him. Hands tighten on my arms as I dangle helplessly. Lucas lashes out and sucker kicks me viciously in the gut.
Winded, I fall to the floor and hold my stomach as spit floods my mouth. The room whips into motion as people shout for security and run out into the hallway. Someone touches my shoulder, and I look up. Olivia is bent over me, her eyes full of quiet concern. But then she’s gone as we’re separated by the frantic guards who are pushing her toward safety. Surprisingly, Lucas is taken out of the classroom, and I’m left behind.
Olivia grabs her coat and her bag. “I have to talk to him, or it will get worse,” she says. “He might try this again.”
“No.” I reach in her direction, but the pain doubles me over. “I don’t like it. He’s dangerous.”
“He won’t hurt me.” She hurries out of the room.
But the damage is done as I stand up and steady myself. Shocked eyes stare at me, as if what I’ve been accused of is the indisputable truth. I wipe the blood off my mouth and stare at the red streak on the back of my hand. I don’t give a shit about myself right now. Deep down, I know Olivia is in trouble.
I stare at Winston’s image on the board. Isn’t this how it all started last time, with a photo? I should’ve known I’d never get a second chance.
Chapter Seventeen
Olivia
I should run far away from Lucas, but I don’t. I’m so angry with him that I follow him out to his car. He walks with long strides ahead of me, as if he has lost interest in my presence now that there’s no one to fight. I keep up with him easily, but I should’ve taken off.
I would’ve stayed beside Elijah and argued his innocence to the shocked class and explained that he’s never done anything wrong. I may have had the chance once, but no one cared to hear my explanation once that awful accusation was made. For a moment, I wonder if this exact scenario has played out before, if maybe someone had asked me but didn’t believe me when I said he never touched me. Elijah would never hurt me, not then and not now.
Lucas stops walking and pulls out a key fob. The lights of a small navy BMW flash, and he opens the passenger side door.
I don’t get in. Instead, I stare at the car. “Where’s your Rover?”
He scowls at me in the dimly lit parking lot. “It’s in the shop.”
I stare at him. “What happened?”
“It needed to be serviced. Olivia, get in.”
I hesitate, gripping my bag to my chest. Something nags at me. My arm where he gripped me feels sore, but I get in the car anyway.
Lucas looks comical driving a car that’s too small for his large frame while his knees almost reach his chin. He curses under his breath as he shifts the gears, and the car hesitates as we drive down Brunswick Avenue. He refuses to speak and stares directly ahead. I barely speak until he drives past my street.
I look out the window in amazement. “Where are we going?” I ask him.
“To my frat,” he replies. “You can stay there for a few days.”
I scoff loudly. “I’m not staying in your frat.”
“Olivia, let’s not discuss it now.” Lucas tugs at the stick, and the gears make a sickening whine.
“This is too much to deal with,” I reply. “What did my father tell you?”
“He asked me to look after you,” Lucas replies. “He said you were in trouble. He said that guy was sick in the head and convinced you that he did nothing.” Lucas scoffs. “He looks weird. I’m not surprised he’s a pervert.”
“I’m not in danger or ever was,” I reply hotly. “Whatever dad said about Elijah is wrong. My father made a horrible mistake. Elijah never touched me.” I stare intently at Lucas’ profile in the dimness, but he doesn’t seem to be listening. Or to the point, he doesn’t give a shit about what I have to say.
I pull my phone out when it chimes and see a text from Elijah.
Elijah: Are you okay?
