My Hockey Bully Stepbrother

er's

up with

s like the world just ended. Her whole body shakes with sobs, mascara already streaking down her perfect cheeks, and I cat

o my shoulder, and I have to bite my tongue to keep from saying what we

he gives me is pure *here we go again*. I shoot him a desperate *help me* expression, but he just

ai

always do. "It's okay. You're going to be okay. You're be

for someone who's supposed to be devastated. "I can't do this without him, Summer. I

both know she'll be back with Cain by next

ups and makeups that would exhaust anyone else, but Ruby thrives on the chaos. Me? I just

tch flipping, Ru

f her hand, and I watch her entire demeanor shift from

, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "

o

and there's a manic gleam in her eyes that I recognize immediate

h drops.

pointing at Ty and then at me. "I need to ge

his textbook. "I feel like this sho

s vigorously. "Boys. Ugh

he hell, man?" He just gives me this apologetic

tention on me. "Summer

tack of textbooks on my desk. "We have that test on

erally at the top of our class. You know everything alre

ly can'

ones she knows I can never say no to, and I feel

ds on maintaining straight A's-not even B's are acceptable. On

like I'm her lifeline, an

," I

herself at me again, this time with excitement inste

etic look as Ruby attacks my

ut a tight black dress that shows way to

ou up tonight. And you're taking off those glasses. Just for

ess, then back at Rub

apparently I've lost all abilit

ke it cover more of my thighs. It's short. Way too short. And the neckl

g my hands away. "It looks per

ortable and vulnerable and like

ing me out the door, so

*

p beer and expensive cologne mixing in the air. Bodies press together on the makeshift dance floo

ars within f

low on her hips, and I realize with a sinking feeling that I've been abandoned. She nee

ea

ced me into. The bartender looks at me expectantly, but I just shake my head and pull out my phone. I download

bility to focus anywhere. It's a survival skill I developed after years of

reading when I feel som

s Crew Ashford everywhere, this magnetic pull that makes everyone in the room aware o

one of our usual classmates should ev

one, hoping that if I i

onfident. "Make it for me and

ighlighting a section about cellular respiration l

des a drink in front o

the kind of face that makes girls stupid. His hockey jacket is slung over one sh

e drink,

" I say flatly. "

ack to m

ve me alone. It would be a miracle, but ins

mething dangerous in his smile now

g into the exposed skin where Ruby's dress

ching for my phone. "I don't have time for this

b stroking along my hip in a way that makes my skin crawl. "Don't be so uptight. I want

tended, but I'm so tired of this. "I don't feel like dancing with you.

in the air cha

too late, that I've made a terrible mistake. At school, I keep my head down. I s

mouth didn't get

w now, dangerous. "You're going to get up like a good

won

gging in hard enough to bru

ng in m

I didn't want, the one he insisted on

soaking into his expensive shirt, drippin

party seems

ssion transform from shock to pure rage, and I know-I *

happens to be here is watching this moment, watching me destro

his ruined clothes,

is voice is quiet. Deadly. "You s

f his hockey teammates, his usual minions, al

t the hell

she j

t me with an intensity that makes me want to run

he

nd is around my throat. Not squeezing, but the threat is clear. His face

ach word deliberate and cold. "I will make you miserab

enough for me to feel the pressure, to

he le

s jacket, and walks awa

ng up to touch my throat where I can

have