Uploading sexual videos of anyone is wrong, and two wrongs never make a right.

My lips twitch ever so slightly. But God, it felt good witnessing those bitches get their karma.

The sound of arguing tears me from my thoughts.

My eyes widen when I see Knox and Shadow fighting in front of his jeep.

“I know your voice, asshole,” Shadow shrieks, jabbing a black fingernail into his chest. “You told me you were busy.”

Knox looks more annoyed than angry as he takes a drag of his cigarette. “I was.”

“Yeah. Busy getting your dick sucked and fucked by those two ditzes.” Without warning, she slaps his cheek. “I can’t believe you cheated on me.”

At that, Knox laughs, like getting reamed out by his girlfriend is hysterical. “How can it be cheating when we’re not together?”

Oh, boy.

Shadow slaps him again, so hard it knocks the cigarette out of his mouth. “Bastard.”

My feet move on their own accord as I take a step in their direction. “Okay, that’s enough. Some of us need a ride home.”

Shadow turns her furious stare on me. “Fuck off.”

I open the passenger door of the jeep. “Don’t get mad at me because your non-boyfriend fucked someone else.” I dig the knife a little deeper since I’ve never been a fan of her. “Actually…make that two someone’s.”

“You cock-sucking bitch.”

She lunges for me, but Knox grabs her. “Go home, Shadow.”

“We’re so over.” She points a shaky finger at him. “I mean it.”

His harsh stare fills with pity, and that only serves to deepen the cut he issues next. “Over? We never fucking began.”

Shadow’s lower lip trembles and I actually feel bad for her as she runs off to her car.

“Jesus,” I whisper as he climbs into the driver’s seat. “She’s really upset.”

It’s obvious her feelings for Knox are light-years beyond whatever feelings he doesn’t have for her.

“She’ll get over it.” Starting the engine, he brings a fresh cigarette to his lips. “She always fucking does.”

“So, you make it a habit to cheat on her?”

His hand tightens around the steering wheel. “She gets my dick wet, but that doesn’t mean she owns it. I can fuck whoever I want.”

I was only trying to ruffle his feathers, but then I realize,

“You did fuck them?”

His lips curve as he pulls out of the parking lot. “You don’t own my dick either, Stray.”

“Trust me.” I avert my gaze out the window. “I want nothing to do with you or your dick.”

Chapter 19

Aspen

“So,” my mother announces, clasping her hands together. “I’ve decided it will be a dinner party.”

Despite no one looking up from their plates, she continues to prattle on.

“I’m going to rent a few long tables and set them up outside on the patio. I’ve hired an excellent catering company, as well as a company that’s going to transform the backyard into a beautiful extravagant oasis while we dine. We’ll even have a dance floor and a DJ after dinner is finished.”

“Sounds boring,” Trent says as he shoves another piece of steak into his mouth. “And expensive.”

She tries hard not to show it, but it’s clear his comment struck a nerve.

“I think it sounds nice,” I mumble, throwing her a bone. “I’ll be around that day if you need any help.”

Ignoring me, she turns to Knox. “Knox, what do you think about the party?”

He shrugs, not looking the least bit interested. “Whatever.” He looks at his father. “Do I have to go?”

Not missing a beat, Trent wipes his mouth with a napkin and answers. “Yes.”

He looks at my mom. “Well, in that case, I think it sucks.”

“Watch your mouth, young man,” his dad scolds.

“May I be excused?”

Trent takes a sip of his drink. “Excused for what?”

“I’m hanging out with Shadow.”

Seriously? It’s barely been twenty-four hours since she declared they were over.

“You’ve been spending a lot of time with her lately,” his dad notes. “What exactly do you two do while you’re together?”

It takes everything in me not to cover my ears.

Knox pushes some food around his plate. “Study, watch movies…”

Fuck and fight.

Trent clutches his fork so hard I’m surprised it doesn’t bend in half. “Well, all this supposed studying isn’t paying off since you only received a C on your last math test.”

In all fairness, that test was hard. Even I got two questions wrong and Math is my best subject. It’s like Mrs. Monsen specifically went out of her way to choose the hardest problems known to man. The fact Knox got a C when most people bombed is awesome.

“No one did well on that test,” I mutter, scooping some mashed potatoes on my fork.

He turns his irritated glare on me. “What grade did you receive?”

“Ninety-four.”

Trent slams his hand on the table, startling my mother. “See? If your sister can manage to get an A, why can’t you?”

“She’s not my sister.” Knox gets out of his chair with so much force it tips backward. “But she is a brainiac who can solve math problems in her sleep.”

“Where do you think you’re going, young man?” Trent sneers when Knox stalks out of the kitchen.

“Out,” is his only response before the front door slams shut.

My mother looks around anxiously. “I need to make a phone call.”

An uncomfortable silence falls over the room after she leaves.

I quickly grab my dish and head for the sink.

“I know you probably think I’m too hard on him,” Trent begins.

I scrape the remaining food off my plate into the garbage bin before putting it in the sink. “Your relationship with your son is really none of my business.” I can’t help but add, “That test was difficult, though. Only five people in the class passed, and he was one of them.”

Heaving a sigh, he rises from the table and walks over to me. “I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but my son isn’t right in the head.” His nostrils flare on an indrawn breath. “Ever since his mother’s death he’s been battling with a lot of mental issues, and it’s my job to keep him in line and make sure they don’t…get out of hand.”