Ruthless knight

Sawyer

“I don’t know what to do,” Dylan whispers from our seats in the stands. 

After the football game, Jace went off to talk to his brother—the asshole who shall not be named—and I asked Dylan if everything was okay because she looked stressed. 

Poor girl practically came apart at the seams, which is alarming because Dylan’s not one to lose her shit. 

It’s how I know things are bad. 

“Should I tell my uncle about the affair?” 

Wincing, I shake my head. “I think that will only make Oakley’s problems worse. He’s avoiding his dad because he can’t face telling him the truth, remember?” 

“No, he’s avoiding Crystal because she’s pregnant and Oakley still has feelings for her.” She makes a face. “He’s turning to drugs because he doesn’t have the courage to tell his dad what happened.”

Can’t say I blame the guy. I’m not sure I’d be able to deal with the guilt or have the guts to drop that bomb on my dad either. 

Given Crystal’s baby isn’t Oakley’s, I can only assume it’s her husband’s. Which means he or she is Oakley’s little brother or sister. 

A brother or sister he might not ever see if his father disowns him. 

A brother or sister who could end up with a broken home, and without a parent if his dad divorces his wife.  

Talk about a rock and a hard spot. 

However, drugs aren’t going to fix any of his issues. If anything, they’re only going to create more. 

“Look, I know it’s hard to hear, but if Oakley’s using drugs, you might have to give him some tough love and keep your distance.”  

“No.” Determination flickers in her blue orbs. “I didn’t give up on Jace when he took his grief out on me, and I’m not giving up on Oakley for trying to numb the pain my aunt caused.” 

Swear Dylan has more perseverance in her pinky than most people have during their entire lifetime. 

It’s one of the many reasons we clicked and why I love her so much. 

The girl doesn’t take any shit and gives it back even better than she gets… but deep down, she’ll never truly give up on those she loves. 

Even when they don’t deserve it. 

“I know, and I’m definitely not saying you should. But I do think you need to set some boundaries and make it clear you don’t want to be around him if he’s high.” 

Well, high on anything other than weed. Because Lord knows that boy smokes more than a chimney. 

Rubbing her palms on her jeans, she nods. “You’re right. I just don’t want him to think I don’t care and push him away.”

“You won’t. If anything, it will show him how much you care and how worried you are. Kind of like a mini intervention.” I clutch my cup of hot chocolate. “Oak’s a big softie deep down, and he loves you. I’m sure hearing how scared you are and how much he’s hurting you will make him stop.” 

I hope. 

To be honest, I really have no experience with drugs or dealing with addicts. 

All I know is they tend to hurt the people they love…over and over again. 

I really hope for Dylan’s—but more importantly, Oakley’s sake—he turns it around. 

“I suppose it’s dumb to ask if he ever contacted you about tutoring, huh?” 

I hate that I have to crush the hopeful look on my friend’s face. “No, but I can try texting him again if you want.” 

She lets out a heavy sigh. “No, it’s okay. Oakley’s a big boy. If he doesn’t graduate again, it’s on him.” 

Her words might’ve been convincing if it wasn’t for the distraught look in her eyes. 

Reaching over, I grab her hand. “He’ll be okay.” 

“What if he’s not?” 

“Then we’ll keep trying to figure out a way to make sure he is.” 

Giving my hand a squeeze, she smiles. “Thank you.” 

“For what?” 

“Being you.” 

She doesn’t have to thank me for being a friend. 

 “Jace is…” Her voice drops to a whisper. “Let’s just say he’s not as supportive as you are when it comes to Oakley’s problems. He’s really angry with him.” 

That doesn’t surprise me. Not only is Jace a straight edge like me and Dylan, he doesn’t have a high tolerance for bullshit. 

Something Oakley brings a lot of.

The two of them being close friends always struck me as strange. Oakley has way more in common with a certain asshole who shall not be named. 

The one who drinks like a fish and parties like the world is ending every weekend. 

As if on cue, I spot the evil queen and her knight in shining armor. Or as I like to call him—her cocky dipshit in tin foil—standing on a makeshift stage along with the rest of the homecoming nominees. 

As if everyone doesn’t already know who the King and Queen of RHA are. 

Rolling my eyes, I turn my attention back to my friend. “I can’t be the only one who thinks this is ridiculous.” 

“I know. Usually sophomores don’t get nominated for homecoming princess.” 

I have no idea what she’s talking about. “Huh?” 

“According to Bianca, the homecoming princess is supposed to be a junior, and the one” —she makes air quotes— “’the queen’ anoints to take her place after she leaves. Sophomores are usually duchesses or some crap, but apparently Casey threw a fit and fought for Bianca to be on the ballot for it.” 

It’s only then I notice Bianca standing on the other side of Casey. “Damn. You’re more in the know than I am, and you don’t even go here anymore.” 

This time, Dylan rolls her eyes. “Trust me, I don’t want to be, but Bianca came over last Friday.” Her lip curls. “And then invited herself to spend the night.”  

Wow. To be a fly on the wall during that sleepover. 

At first, Dylan tried to be understanding of Bianca’s hatred toward her and gave her time to come around, but six months later she’s reaching the end of her fuse. 

“Judging by the murderous look in your eyes, I’m guessing it went really well.” 

The murderous eyes in question narrow. “Every time Jace tried to kiss me, Bianca would make a noise, knock over her glass of water, drop something, or sneeze obnoxiously.” 

“As far as Bianca goes, that’s not so bad.” 

She holds up a finger. “That was only the start.” She turns to me. “You know how gory movies really freak me out?” 

I nod in understanding. Truth be told, I find it hysterical how she covers her eyes and ducks her head like a five-year-old at the first sign of blood splatter. 

“Bianca insisted on having a Saw movie marathon,” she continues. “I figured I’d be fine because I could just hide behind Jace during the gross parts, but nope. She stole him.” 

“What do you mean she stole him?” 

“I mean she literally hijacked Jace and used him as her shield.” 

A laugh flies out of my mouth. “Wow.” 

A

Dammit, she can’t do that to me. 

“Come on, Dylan. You can’t leave a girl hanging like that. It’s in the best friend handbook. If you have good gossip or a conspiracy theory, you have to share it.” 

“Fine.” She shudders. “But don’t say I didn’t warn you.” 

“Duly noted. Now spill.”

Picking up her cup of hot chocolate, she takes a lengthy sip. “She walked in on us while we were in bed.” 

“Oh, God. Don’t tell me she wanted to sleep between you two like a little kid because she was scared.”