Like You Care: A Dark High School Bully Romance (Devilbend Dynasty Book 1)

by Kaydence Snow

  It was like watching an apex predator dominate all the other animals in the jungle. Donna was unflappable, while the others reacted before even thinking shit through.

  “Let’s try this again,” she said. This time, no one dared interrupt. “Philomena Willis is my cousin. I don’t allow my family to be treated like shit. So that’s going to stop.”

  “You’re trying to force us to be friends with Phil?” Kelsey looked me up and down and sneered.

  “Good god, no.” I could practically hear Donna’s eye roll. “No family of mine will lower themselves to your level. No, you’re simply to stay away from her. Don’t talk to her. Don’t touch her. Don’t contact her online. Don’t so much as think about her.”

  “Or what?” Jayden was brave enough to step forward, I’d give him that. Or maybe I was mistaking bravery for stupidity.

  “Or there will be consequences,” Donna said, as if she were explaining something complicated to a toddler.

  “Are you threatening us?” Madison sounded outraged.

  “No. I’m simply explaining cause and effect. Fuck with Mena and I’ll fuck with you.” For the first time, a bit of bite entered Donna’s tone.

  “How full of yourself can you be?” Madison crossed her arms again, but she was staying back, in the relative safety of the crowd. “None of you assholes go here. You can’t protect her all the time.”

  She threw me a smug look, and my heart sank. I refused to let it show on my face, but this was exactly what I was afraid of. The Fulton crew would all drive off, go back to their privileged lives, and I’d be left to deal with the pack of animals they’d just poked with a proverbial stick. What the hell was Donna thinking?

  But I should’ve known. Donna never did anything without thinking it through. Without at least three backup plans.

  “That’s cute.” I could hear the smirk in Donna’s voice. “Your world is so tiny. But that’s the thing. You feel powerful in a pack, pushing a girl around, walking these halls like you own this school. But there’s a whole big world out there. A world in which your parents live and work. A world in which I can ruin you in more ways than you can count.”

  “Empty words.” Jayden scoffed. “My dad works for BestLyf. You’re not the only one who knows people.”

  “Your father—Boyd Burrows—is middle management at best. He doesn’t even make enough to send you to a private school.”

  How the hell did she know his dad’s name? I frowned, and Harlow chuckled, giving my arm a little squeeze. Of course. Harlow’s stalking. But I didn’t have time to think about how creepy my little cousin could be. Donna was still speaking.

  “And, Bonnie, your mom works at GoodGrocer, right? Heath Preston owns that company. He and my dad are old friends. I call him Uncle Heath. And, Steph, your dad works for Mitchell Mechanics. Mr. Mitchell went to college with my mom. We had him and his wife, Darlene, over for dinner last week. Oliver Vanderford runs Norton Corp. He and my dad are golf buddies—he even tried to set me up with his son a few times.” She chuckled, then got deathly serious again. “Several of your parents work for him, right? I’d hate to have to mention to my family friends how appallingly their employees’ children are behaving. I mean, these are family-run, respectable businesses. They can’t have people working for them who would tarnish those brands.”

  Holy. Shit. Most of the kids at my school were in similar situations to mine. We knew how tenuous our parents’ grip on financial stability was. Donna had gone right for the jugular. I almost felt sorry for them.

  They all looked furious, teeth clenched, eyes narrowed. But how could they argue with that?

  Then Kelsey stepped forward and propped a hand on her hip. “My parents work for themselves. You can’t do shit to threaten me. You don’t control everything, you stuck-up bitch.”

  For the first time since she’d started to speak, Donna moved. She took three measured steps forward, leaned in, and whispered in Kelsey’s ear.

  Kelsey visibly paled. Her eyes widened and looked at Donna with fear. “You can’t . . . how . . .” she stammered, then turned on her heel and barreled through the crowd.

  I’d never wanted anything as badly as I wanted whatever that information was—the ability to make Kelsey disappear like that? Priceless.

  Donna raised her voice. “That’s all. Dismissed.”

  She turned back to us, a satisfied smile on her face as the crowd all started to speak over one another.

  “Remind me to never get on your bad side.” I gave her a tentative smile.

  “Shit, I’m your sister, and I’m a little scared.” Harlow chuckled.

  “I’m kinda turned on.” Amaya cocked her head, and we all burst out laughing.

  “Thank you, guys. I really hope this works.” I gave them each a hug.

  “Anytime, girl. We got you.” Donna held on for an extra beat before letting go.

  And then I was swallowed in a sea of Fulton uniforms as every single person Donna had brought with them came up and gave me a hug, a fist bump, or words of encouragement murmured in my ear.

  Drew stepped up last, that cheeky grin on his face, and wrapped his big arms around me. His tight squeeze lifted me clean off the ground, eliciting a surprised yell from me that ended on a laugh. My legs hung limply as my arms held on to his neck.

  “I’m sorry this shit is happening to you, Mena,” he whispered in my ear.

  “Me too,” I whispered back. “Thanks for having my back. I really appreciate it.”

  “You got it. It was fun, actually.” He dropped me to my feet and grinned before saying goodbye and rushing for his car.

  Most of the crowd had dispersed while my protectors were taking their leave, but Jayden still stood in the same spot, arms crossed, glaring.

  It wasn’t until the cars started to pull away, their powerful engines roaring and purring, that he sneered and walked off.

  I really fucking hoped this wouldn’t make everything worse. Now that my defenders were gone, I was alone again, and that thought sent a cold chill of fear down my spine.

  I dropped my empty coffee cup in the trash and picked my bag up off the ground. As I straightened, I noticed Turner still in the same spot, hands in his pockets. He was staring after the cars as they pulled away, his strong brow deeply furrowed.

  He kind of looked as if he wanted to punch something—or someone. I knew the feeling. I just couldn’t figure out what his problem was. He refused to stand up for me, but no one else was allowed to either?

  His gaze turned to me, and the deep, angry frown cleared. The look in its place was kind of uncertain. If I didn’t know better, I’d say it was longing that stretched across the distance between us.

  He took a deep breath, readjusted his bag on his shoulder, and took a few steps in my direction.

  Then his eyes caught on something over my shoulder, and he stopped with a frown. And just like that, I was forgotten again. He changed direction and speed-walked toward the school entrance.

  I turned just in time to see Jenny—skinny arms wrapped around her torso, head hung low—walk around the corner of the building. Turner wasn’t heading for the entrance. He was going after Jayden’s little sister.

  In all the bullshit that had been happening lately, I’d almost forgotten that weird situation. Part of me wanted to go after them, demand answers. I’d had enough of this shit. But I was also exhausted, bone tired in every way possible, and it wasn’t even nine on Monday morning.

  The bell sounded, making the decision for me, and my thoughts turned back to what I would meet beyond those doors.

  Donna had bluffed those assholes like a pro. There was nothing left to do but borrow her limitless confidence, keep the bluff going, and walk in there with my head held high.

  The next three days were blissfully uneventful. Donna and the girls got up extra early and drove me to school every morning, my sweet caramel concoction ready for me as soon as I got in the car. I walked into school and went to my classes with my shoulders back and e
yes up. No one bothered me. I still kept to myself and had lunch on my own—I wasn’t expecting Donna’s threats to work miracles—but I no longer slunk through the halls like a wounded animal. Jayden and Madison sneered when I passed, but the rest of them just ignored me. Kelsey actively avoided me, turning to rush in the other direction whenever she saw me coming.

  I’d tried to get Donna to tell me what she’d whispered to her, but she just smirked and cryptically replied that “Secrets like that only have power while they’re still secret.”

  Figuring it was Harlow who’d dug up the dirt on some shady part of the internet, I asked her, but she was just as mystified as me. Whatever it was, Donna had found it all on her own.

  Turner kept his distance. He didn’t call or text, and I avoided the balcony, so I had no idea if he was going out there or not. It was so damn hard to stay away from him. I couldn’t count the number of times I’d written a text only to delete it, had reached for the sliding door handle before pulling myself away. I cried about it every night, when everyone was asleep and the house was dark and silent. I missed him like crazy, and knowing he was just on the other side of the wall was torture.

  But it had to be like this. Donna and the girls had lit a fire under me, and I was rolling with this newfound self-confidence thing. I couldn’t be with someone who was ashamed to be seen with me.

  But I also couldn’t really figure out what he was thinking. He’d all but stopped hanging out with that group, though he did walk the halls with Jayden from time to time, and they still talked as if they were close in English. Turner’s presence directly in front of me in that class made it impossible to focus. Now that I knew I’d never touch him again, reaching out and feeling his firm, warm shoulder under my palm was all I could think about.

  I caught him looking at me several times a day, his expression neutral but his eyes blazing with perplexing emotion.

  I’d also seen him speaking with Jenny two more times. Whatever they were up to, they were getting careless. But I was no longer worried he was doing something shady—something to hurt the fragile girl. She looked as if she was pleading with him now, and the last time I spotted them by the stairs, she’d even leaned forward and given him a tentative hug. Turner had frozen for a moment, then wrapped his big arms around her little frame and patted her shoulder gently. The gesture looked protective more than anything. I’d left more confused than ever.

  By the time my Thursday night shift came around, I was exhausted from the week’s emotional whiplash but feeling hopeful. There was only one day left before the weekend. I’d nearly made it.

  “So, I’m going to speak to Leah tomorrow”—Chelsea leaned in, keeping her voice low as we wrapped napkins around cutlery—“but I just wanted to tell you I’m going to quit.”

  I dropped a knife, and it clattered on the counter. “What? Why?”

  “I’m gonna miss working with you too, Philly. You were really there for me after the breakup and all that. But it’s time.” She smiled at me serenely, but my frown only deepened.

  “Time for what? Did you get another job?”

  “No. But I can’t expect amazing things to happen when I’m wasting my time and energy on mediocre things. I learned that at my last BestLyf seminar. I feel really positive about the future.”

  Mediocre things like making money to buy food and pay rent? I wished I had the confidence to say that to her, but we weren’t that close. Instead I just sighed and added Chelsea’s quitting to the long list of shit my mind was struggling to deal with. Two large groups came in right after she told me, so I didn’t have a chance to ask her more about it anyway.

  I got off about ten, texted my dad to pick me up, then grabbed my stuff from the back room. Before leaving, I tried to talk to Chelsea again about her decision, but she waved me off and went to clear one of the remaining tables.

  With a sigh, I stepped out into the crisp night air.

  “Mena?”

  I’d have recognized Turner’s ocean-deep voice anywhere. I was pretty sure I’d go to my grave knowing exactly what my name sounded like on his lips. I squeezed my eyes shut and steeled myself before turning toward him.

  He stepped away from the wall, out of the shadows. His hat was obscuring his eyes, his dark hoodie and jeans only adding to the menacing vibe.

  “What are you doing here?” I asked, unsure if my heart was beating faster because he’d startled me or because I was excited to see him.

  “I need to talk to you. You haven’t been coming out to the balcony, so . . .”

  “So you decided to wait for me at my work like a creep? You could’ve talked to me at school. You could’ve called me.”

  “Would you have picked up?” He conveniently ignored the bit about being seen with me at school.

  “I don’t know that there’s anything left to say, Turner. You made your choice.”

  “No, I didn’t.” He stepped toward me, reaching his arms out. “And I have a lot to say. I want to tell you everything. I can’t do this anymore. I miss you so much.”

  His words snaked into my chest, wrapped themselves around my heart and squeezed.

  “Why are you doing this? Just let me get over you.” As if I could.

  “Well, I can’t get over you, so . . . I don’t even want to.” He took a breath and another step closer, visibly steadying himself before speaking again. “Look, I have a lot to explain. Can I please just walk you home?”

  I checked my phone—my dad would be there any minute. “Turner, I can’t . . .”

  “Please.”

  “No. My—”

  “She’s my sister,” he rushed out just as familiar headlights turned the corner, my dad’s beat-up old Toyota Corolla heading straight for us. “Jenny is my little sister.”

  “What?” I frowned, my brain trying to process. What the hell was he talking about? Was this some attempt to confuse me even further, somehow manipulate me into getting back together with him?

  Dad’s car pulled up, and Turner closed his mouth, abandoning whatever lie he’d been about to spew next.

  “My dad’s here. I have to go,” I gritted out and turned for the car. Dad rolled down the window, the glass making an obnoxious squeaking noise, and leaned over to look at us. “Hey, Philly. Who’s your friend? Do you need a lift anywhere, son?”

  I bugged my eyes out at my dad as I opened the passenger door, and he gave me a little frown. When I turned to put my belt on, I jumped. Turner had followed me to the car and was leaning down to look through the window, a friendly expression on his face. I narrowed my eyes at him, but it was too late.

  “Actually, I live in your building, sir, and I’d really appreciate a lift.” He smiled.

  My dad ignored my death glare completely. “Sure thing. Jump in.”

  I huffed and stared out the window, ignoring them both. The radio was on some easy-listening station, Michael Bublé’s crooning the only thing breaking the awkward silence.

  After a few minutes, dad eyed the rear-view mirror. “Hey, you—dark and brooding in the back seat. What’s your name?” He chuckled at his own mortifying joke.

  I only just resisted the urge to pinch the bridge of my nose.

  “Turner Hall, sir.”

  “Nice to meet you, Turner. I’m Brad.”

  “Nice to meet you too, sir.”

  After another few awkward minutes of silence, Dad cleared his throat. “Soooo, how do we know Turner, Philly?”

  I growled under my breath. I really wished they’d stop calling me Philly, especially in front of people. I was Mena. And I wasn’t about to explain to my dad the clusterfuck that was Turner and me. “He goes to my school.”

  Turner sighed, clearly not happy with how I’d reduced our relationship to “classmates,” but Turner could go fuck himself. At least he was smart enough to remain silent.

  “Cool.” Dad dragged the word out and turned the music up, but we were already pulling into the parking area at the back of the buildings.

  We pil
ed out of the car, and Turner turned to my dad. “Thank you for the lift, Mr. Willis.”

  “You’re welcome.” Dad thumped him on the shoulder. “And please, call me Brad.”

  Were they trying to be chummy? Ugh! That time I couldn’t stop my hand from reaching up to pinch the bridge of my nose. I walked to the entrance without looking at either of them.

  “Mena?” Turner’s pleading tone made me turn to face him. He was begging me with his eyes.

  I hated myself for it, but I was curious. With a defeated shake of my head, I turned to my dad. “I’ll be up soon, Dad. Just need to speak to Turner.”

  Dad paused, one hand on the door handle, and looked around at the parked cars, the tall apartment buildings. “I don’t know if you noticed, but we live in kind of a rough neighborhood. It’s getting late.” As if to emphasize his point, a car alarm went off somewhere in the distance, and several dogs started barking in response.

  Turner climbed the few steps to join us on the landing. “I’ll keep her safe, sir.”

  Dad gave him a long, serious look. “I’m not entirely convinced she doesn’t need to be kept safe from you.”

  My lips twitched into an almost smile. I was simultaneously mortified and kind of happy Turner was copping shit from someone.

  “I swear to god, I would never hurt a hair on Mena’s head.”

  “No, you just stand by and watch other people do it,” I cut in.

  Dad’s hard gaze turned on me, his brows creasing in a worried frown. “Philomena?”

  I took a calming breath and gave him a reassuring smile. “It’s fine, Dad. I’ll be up soon.”

  He looked between us with narrowed eyes. “If you’re not up there in fifteen, I’m coming back down.” And because he was a dad, and by default an embarrassment, he raised his digital watch, pressed a few buttons on it, and showed us the timer ticking down before he disappeared into the building.