Chapter 34
Back at the house, Beau ushers me upstairs to my room, telling me he’ll deal with my stuff and see what can be salvaged while I shower.
I simply let the water run over me for what feels like a stupid-long time before I finally get cleaned up. Pulling on my panties and one of Beau’s T-shirts, I yawn. Today was exhausting, from surviving classes to practice to dealing with Mandy. I’m done. I haven’t eaten dinner and don’t want to. My appetite is completely gone.
As much as I want to crawl immediately into bed, I decide I’d better set out what I need for school and practice tomorrow so it’s ready for me to at least shove in a plastic bag. I don’t know what the hell we’re going to do about my notebooks and textbooks. I’m so upset, but I’m also pissed.
There’s a light tap to the door, and Griffin pokes his head in. “Hey, Beau told me what happened.”
I blow out a hard breath. “Yeah. Kinda sucked.”
He pushes the door open further, holding out a bag of frozen corn. “For your cheek. I don’t think Darla will miss it. We never eat frozen veggies. It’s probably been in there since 2000.”
With a slight smile, I take it from him, pressing it to my cheek.
“So, she caught you with her elbow…”
“While I was yanking the shit out of her ponytail for drowning my locker in soda.”
Griffin snorts with laughter right before he sheepishly pulls a nice-looking backpack out from behind his back. “I thought maybe you could use this, too.”
My lips part, a breath shuddering out. It always grates on my pride to accept help. I bite down on my lip, contemplating what to do. I seriously doubt whatever was dumped in my locker will ever be completely cleaned out of my bag. “Is it okay if I borrow it until I can replace mine?” Maybe I do need to ask Daphne again about that job.
Griffin nods. “Sure. Whatever you want to do is fine with me. It’d make me happy if you at least used it for now. But you can keep it if you like it.”
I nod, glancing down at my hands. I swallow hard, then whisper, “That girl hates me, Griff.”
“Uh, yeah. You could say that.” He clears his throat. “Lyla?”
“Hm?” I look up, my gaze meeting his.
“Could you use, like, a hug or something?”
“I totally could.” I get up off the bed and Griff drops the bag on floor, meeting me halfway.
“We’ll get things figured out.”
I can only nod. The effect of Griff’s arms around me is much like having Beau here. I’m comforted. But still overwhelmed by everything that transpired today.
Another knock on the door reveals Aria—which kinda surprises me—with Beau right behind her carrying two extra uniforms. Oh no. She didn’t. “Did someone say spare uniforms?” She struts into the room with a big smile. “No need for tears, Lyla. I’ve got you covered. Now that bitch can dump soda all over your shit every day if she wants and it’s no big deal. You won’t have to bat an eye. That’ll throw her off her game, for sure.”
I step away from Griffin, scrubbing my hands over my face as I watch Beau set down the clothing on the bed. “I appreciate this, I do, but—”
“I told you to let me handle it,” Beau sighs, gritting his teeth as he eyes Aria.
Aria cocks her eyebrow like we’re totally confusing her. “I don’t get it. What’s the big deal?”
I roll my eyes. “You wouldn’t. You have everything you need, and then some.”
“Well, yeah. But now I feel bad, and I’m trying to help. Ask these two.” She flicks her finger between the brothers. “I hardly ever do that. Not even when I have something to gain.” She pops her hip to the side and plants her hand on it. “Look, I like you. I’m going to leave them here whether you want them or not. You may as well make use of them.”
I huff out a breath and mumble, “I feel like such a fucking charity case.”
Aria walks directly in front of me and gets in my face. “Girl, I don’t do charity. My parents do enough of that. If you can’t accept that I’m trying to be a friend to you, then you can fuck right off.” Her brow quirks up as she studies me.
“Aria,” Beau groans in warning, sliding his palm over his jaw. “Lyla, you didn’t deserve to have soda spilled all over your stuff. Let us help you. We want to help. If you were some awful person, we wouldn’t bother. You’re not. You deserve to have people who care about you. Let us help. Don’t make me steal Ellie’s info from you so she can knock some sense into you.”
“You wouldn’t.”
“Well, you listen to her, don’t you?”
I pout, knowing he has me there. “I do.”
Micah fills the doorway when he appears a second later, gripping the frame above his head. “Sounds like we’re having a fucking heart-to-heart in here.” He laughs. “Lemme add to the love. I have a bunch of spare notebooks if yours aren’t salvageable. Daphne said she’s going to go clean up your locker a little better in the morning. Max said he’d pop into the office and sweet talk Mrs. Cooper into getting a new set of textbooks ready for you and see if she’ll let Beau photocopy his notes since you have the same classes. Just swing by to pick up the books when you get to school and hit the copy machine whenever.” He gives a little snort, clearly amused. “And Scarlett might be trying to figure out how to exact revenge on Mandy, while Xander is trying to keep her out of trouble. She was hot about it when she heard what happened.” He shakes his head, clearly amused. “That redhead temper thing they talk about is no fucking joke.”
Beau draws me against his chest. “Are you going to deny all of us the chance to help you?”
I chew on my lip, tears stinging my eyes, but for a completely different reason this time. “Okay. Thank you. All of you.” It’s hitting me hard. The daughter of the town whore… surrounded by friends. It feels weird. Weird, but good.
Micah jerks his head toward the door, looking around the room at everyone. “Let’s give these two some space.”