Bastard.

“Here,” Trent offers, pushing his cup toward me when I take a seat at the table. “It’s my fourth one so far, and your mother thinks I should cut down.”

Leaning over, she kisses his cheek. “I just want you to be healthy.”

Disgust rolls through me. I feel like I’m trapped in an episode of Black Mirror that I can’t escape.

And even though my new stepdad is trying to be nice, me accepting the olive branch he’s extending might make him think I accept his marriage to my mother.

And I don’t.

“It’s fine,” I lie, pushing the mug away. “I’m not a big coffee drinker anyway.”

Averting my gaze, I shovel some eggs onto my plate. I’m not hungry, but maybe they’ll help push down the bile crawling up my throat.

An awkward silence falls over the table for the rest of breakfast.

Until my mother holds up her glass of orange juice—which I’m positive is actually a mimosa—and says, “Aspen, will you be here tonight, or will you be studying at Violet’s again?”

“I’ll be at Violet’s,” I mumble, and she frowns.

While Violet is a friend of mine—well, sort of because I don’t really have friends and neither does she—I also use her as a cover-up.

Because Lord knows my mother would keel over and die if she ever found out the truth.

That thought has my lips twitching. On second thought—maybe I should spill the beans.

I’m grateful when Trent shifts the focus to his son. “I made you an appointment at the recruitment center after school.”

Recruitment center? As in the military?

Instantly, Knox tenses, his hand clenching around his fork. I expect him to argue, because he’s not one to back down from a fight.

However, to my utter shock he grinds out, “Okay.”

Then he gets up from the table and walks over to the sink.

Interesting.

I finish the rest of my eggs and wipe my mouth with a napkin. The bus will be here soon and if I don’t hustle, I’ll miss it.

“So, your mother and I were talking,” Trent says as I grab my backpack off the floor. “We think it’s time to get you a car.”

It takes everything in me not to slam my plate over his head.

I’m not sure which is worse—the audacity of him thinking he has any right to consult with my mother about making decisions for me.

Or the fact he’s trying to buy me.

“I’m fine with taking the bus.”

Truth is, I’ve been wanting a car ever since I got my license last year. However, I’d rather crawl on broken glass than let him buy me one.

My stepdad makes a face, clearly displeased with my refusal. “We’ll talk more about it at dinner.” Swiveling his gaze to his son, he says, “In the meantime, Trenton will take you to school.”

The dish in Knox’s hand falls into the sink with a loud crash, and I swear I see the tiny hairs on the back of his neck stand on end.

It would almost be comical if I didn’t harbor so much hatred for him.

“That’s not nec—”

“Do you have a problem with taking your sister to school?” Trent interjects, cutting me off.

Being referred to as Knox’s sister makes me want to vomit.

Knox’s voice is so low I almost don’t hear him respond, “No.”

“No, what?” his father snaps.

The muscles in Knox’s back coil. “No, sir.”

Jesus. I knew Knox and his dad weren’t particularly close, but their relationship makes the one I have with my mother look like rainbows and butterflies.

Then again, Knox is a sadistic psycho, so I can understand why his dad wants to keep him on such a short leash.

Hell, maybe Knox enlisting in the Army is just what he needs. This way he can learn to have some respect for others, and you know…use his homicidal tendencies for the greater good.

With hands folded in front of him, my stepfather flashes me a terse smile. “Then it’s settled. Trenton will take you to and from school until we get you a car.”

I can’t help but feel like this is some kind of intimidation tactic.

It’s no secret Knox and I don’t like one another, ergo being forced to ride to and from school with him will no doubt coerce me to accept the stupid car he wants to buy me.

I don’t like it one bit.

Unfortunately, I’m late for school so I don’t have the time to argue with him about it.

Hiking the strap of my purse up my shoulder, I stand. “Whatever.”

“Have a good day at school, kids,” my mother calls out as I head for the front door.

Seriously? Who the hell is this woman and why is she suddenly acting like June freaking Cleaver?

Shaking my head, I swing open the door and tread down the cobblestone path that leads to the driveway. Knox is hot on my heels.

“You don’t have to take me,” I tell him when we reach the driveway. “The bus stop is down the road.”

I’m walking past his jeep when there’s a sharp tug on my arm.

Next thing I know, he’s carting me inside his vehicle like I’m a rag doll. “Asshole.”

Jaw ticking, he walks around to the driver’s side and throws open the door.

“What’s the matter?” I taunt when he starts the engine. “Scared to disappoint daddy?”

The hand around the steering wheel clenches, causing the veins and tendons in his arms to flex. “Do us both a favor and shut the fuck up.”

I purse my lips. “And if I don’t?”

The look he shoots me could kill a dead person. “I’ll toss your annoying ass out of my jeep when we reach the highway.” His teeth flash white. “Oncoming traffic will take care of the rest.”

He flicks a button on the dashboard. A moment later, a Papa Roach song blasts through the speakers and he peels out of the driveway.

We don’t say a word to each other for the rest of the drive.

Chapter 4

Aspen

“How was your holiday break?” I ask Brie who’s seated across from me.

As another resident outcast of Black Mountain Academy, we’ve been eating lunch in silent solidarity together since ninth grade.

Emphasis on the silent part because the girl is as timid—and as quiet—as a mouse and rarely speaks.