Drifting (Crash and Burn Book 1) by Emma B. Brooks

Author:Emma B. Brooks [Brooks, Emma B.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: L&L Literary Services, LLC
Published: 2021-09-23T18:30:00+00:00

At lunch time, I’m not too surprised when Luke and I arrive at the cafeteria to find the guys there, waiting for us just outside the doors.

I smile sadly. “Hey.”

“You okay?” Cam pulls me into his arms and kisses my head.

“Yeah, just going to be busy this weekend,” I huff.

“What class do you need notes for?” Luke questions.

“Geometry, Economics, and English.”

“We got you, babe.” Mav put his arm around me. “You going to have lunch with us?”

“No, I need to find out what’s going on with Paige.”

“We can sit with Paige and you,” Dom says.

“Um, we need to gently work with Paige,” I hedge. “She’s scared of you guys.”

“We’ll work on her.” Cam backs up and spreads his arms out. “Who can resist loving us?”

“On that note, I’m leaving. See you later.” I wave as I walk into the cafeteria.

“I’ll miss you, my dirty, little banana,” Mav calls out.

I grab a quick salad for lunch and sit down beside Paige. She’s so busy writing, she doesn’t even glance up.

I dig my fork into my salad. “Is that your homework?”

I know damn well it’s not, but I need her to say it.

Her brown head moved a little from side to side. Why did she go back to doing Carrie’s homework? This needs to stop, now.

I put my hand on top of the book. “Paige, stop. You’re not her slave.”

She stops but won’t look at me. “I know, but look at what they’re doing to you.” Finally, her sad, brown eyes peer at me. “If you can’t protect yourself, how are you going to protect me?”

“I have help, now, so I’m not doing this all by myself.” Warmth spread through me. For the first time in a long while, I don’t feel alone. “Plus, you don’t need my help. You’re stronger than you think.”

She puts down the pen and lifts her sandwich. “Oh, yeah? Who’s helping you?”

I blush as I peek over at their table. “Mav, Dom, Luke, Cam, and Nick. We’re… I guess dating? We haven’t figured it all out yet.”

When I turn back to Paige, her mouth hangs wide open. “Really? All of them?”

“Yep,” I say, popping the P. “Not Nick, of course.”

Her eyes widen before she glances at the guys’ table. “Oh, the girls in school are going to go nuts.”

“Don’t care.” I take another bite of salad. “Now, gather all that bitch’s work. We’ll walk it over.”

Paige’s face pales. “You want me to go over there?”

“What are you afraid of?”

She shivers. “Of what they can do?”

“The stuff they’ve done embarrassed you, but you survived, didn’t you? You being embarrassed is what gives them power. If you take that away from them, they won’t have anything to hold over you.”

I pick up my fork and take another bite of salad while I let her think about what I said. As I chew, I watch her face go through different emotions before it settles on anger.

“You’re right, you’re so right, but I’m still scared.” Her eyes are frozen on the other table.

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