That caught his interest.

“She’s your sister,” I added. “That’s going to get out and she’s going to be eaten alive by some of those girls in there.” Mena might’ve thought otherwise, but she was wrong. In fact, she was delusional.

“I never thought of it that way,” he admitted and skimmed his eyes over my figure again. “You’re hot when you’re pissed off.”

I grinned silkily and shot back, “I’m not that girl who screws her movie star neighbor because she’s pissed at how fake her parents are anymore.”

Denton barked out a laugh and glanced away.

“Wow,” he whistled. “That was good.”

Just then the door shoved open and slammed again.

“Sheldon,” Bryce called out before he turned the corner. “We gotta go.

Corrigan’s in jail…” His voice trailed off when he saw I wasn’t alone.

Denton sent me a frown as he glanced between the two of us.

This was ironic.

I said weakly, “I’m not in jail. It’s my friend who…”

“Would be Mena’s friend too,” Denton finished. He walked past Bryce and threw over his shoulder, “Just talk to her and let her down gently, please?”

When the door shut again, Bryce asked, “What was that about?”

“Big brother thinks I’m not a good example for his precious little sister,” I muttered.

“You haven’t even met her yet.”

Never mind. I asked abruptly, “What’s Corrigan in jail for?”

Bryce hesitated, but said, “Fleeing the scene of an accident.”

“What accident?”

“Corrigan smashed up Yerling’s car. When he tried to leave, the police flashed their lights and he took off.” Bryce chuckled. “He led a high-speed chase. He’s so proud of himself for that one.”

I sighed, but darted to my room and quickly changed. Again.

I threw a bulky sweatshirt on and replaced my pajama pants with a pair of baggy jeans. “I’m ready,” I said as I moved back downstairs.

Bryce nodded and held the door open when we moved to his car.

I caught a glimpse of his knuckles as my motion-detector flared on. They were bloody and bruised.

“Whose blood?” I asked, but I already knew.

Bryce shot me a look, but didn’t answer.

“Is that what you guys did? You beat up Yerling and Corrigan beat up his car? For what? For good measure?”

He shrugged and started the car.

I shook my head, “Is this just because of me? I just had one older brother come over to my house and tell me that he doesn’t want his little sister to grow up and have a life like mine.”

“What?” Bryce shot me an incredulous look as he pulled into traffic.

“Nothing. How much money do we need?”

“A thousand cash, just to be safe.” Bail varied on the crime.

“Stop at the ATM at Garrity’s. You can wash your hand off in the bathroom.”

When he pulled into the gas station, he murmured before either of us got outside, “Look. This wasn’t just about you. A lot of the guys were behind this. Yerling’s been off lately and he’s made some of the guys nervous. And the girls.”

“I was the last straw?”

“Something like that.”

“What if he presses charges?”

Bryce shrugged, “He won’t. He knows better.”

“Or what? He’ll get beat up by everyone else?”

“Something like that.”

“I’m starting to hate that phrase,” I muttered as I threw open the door and moved to the ATM machine.

When I got the cash, I bought a soda and an energy drink. In the car, I handed the energy drink to Bryce and drank my soda.

“Thanks,” he murmured as he opened it and put it in the cup holder.

A moment later, we pulled into the jail and approached the front desk.

“Can I help you?” A deputy glanced up and raked his eyes over each of us. His eyes lingered on Bryce’s bruised knuckles.

“Yeah. I’m here to post bail for a friend of mine,” I spoke up.

When he asked, I gave Corrigan’s name and a moment later we were given some paperwork to fill out. It seemed to take forever, but in truth it was probably fifteen minutes before we saw Corrigan smirk cockily when he was hustled from the back holding area. They took off his handcuffs just before he was allowed his personal items and moved through the gate.

“Hey,” Corrigan greeted us both with a hug.

Bryce thumped him on his back while I punched him in the stomach.

“Ow,” Corrigan grunted, feigning pain, but he grinned a second later and wrapped me in another big hug.

We trailed back out to the car in silence and I took the backseat.

Once we were inside, he asked Bryce, “So did you…?”

Bryce flexed his knuckles in response and let out a hiss in pain.

“Man,” Corrigan whistled. “You did him good.”

I rolled my eyes in the back, but remained quiet.

Corrigan twisted in his seat and asked, excitement in his eyes, “Wanna hear about the chase?”

I groaned, but a chuckle slipped out.

“They could’ve shot you, Corrigan,” I pointed out.

“Nah, man,” he laughed. “When they cornered me, I got out all slow with my hands in the air. It was awesome, but they were rough when they cuffed me.”

Bryce asked, “They pull their guns?”

“Yeah. A few. They put ‘em away quick though when they realized I was just a kid. I bonded with my arresting officers. I was cracking jokes on the way to the station.

And I told them all about Chad, what he did.”

“What?” Bryce asked sharply. “Why the hell did you do that?”

“They said they’d keep their eyes out for him.”

“Man,” Bryce groaned. “If they go over there, they’re going to want him to press charges against me.”

“What? Nah.” Corrigan shook his head, but a cautious look flashed across. He laughed again and exclaimed, “No way. Yerling won’t say a thing. He knows what’ll happen if he does.”

“What is this? Like Fight Club?” I mumbled.

“Yes,” Corrigan answered while Bryce replied, “No.”