Hate So Good: A High School Bully Romance (The Hate Series Book 2) Nina Lincoln (latest novels to read TXT) 📖

ingested, smiling at the idiotic shit we got up to the night before. I may be in the seventh circle of hangover hell, but I don’t regret it.

The ordinary teenage moments I should be allowed to have are too often stolen, and it makes me cling to them that much more.

Teddy calls Sunday morning, and I answer the video chat to find him solemn. With all the damn drama, I haven’t been able to talk to him beyond the occasional chat, so it’s good to see his face even if it isn’t in person, and he’s decidedly grim. I miss the days of our conversations in the library. Teddy has a knack for grounding me.

“Finn, I’m worried about you. Maybe you should leave?”

Shuffling the phone so I can see his face better, I smile sadly, “Maybe so, Teddy. But what’s to say this psycho doesn’t follow me? I don’t know who they are. How far do I have to go?”

He sighs, the sound distorted through the speaker, “I don’t know. This is all just so messed up.”

“Yeah. Hey, have you seen or heard from Tiffany?”

“Um, no, why?”

“Well, she knows who he is. If I could just talk to her, maybe she would tell me, you know?”

“Yeah, but she’s not likely to appear knowing the cops are looking for her.”

“True. I wonder if she’s been home? If her parents know anything?” I ask.

“Finn, let the police do their job.”

“I know.”

I don’t know why, but I refrain from sharing our sordid plans. I don’t want to involve Teddy in something that makes my skin crawl as it is - the fewer people who know, the better. Besides, he’d lose his mind if he found out about the backup plan with Ramie.

“What are you going to do about the senior trip?” he asks.

“I hadn’t even thought about it,” I mutter.

Fuck. Wandering the woods doesn’t seem the safest plan, but at least it will be crawling with faculty and other students. I’m not sure I can get out of it, but I should probably try.

“Well, I think you should get a note or something. I can’t believe they’d make you go after what happened at the damn school, no less. Should sue the assholes or something,” he mutters.

“True. I’m just so tired, Teddy,” I mutter.

“I know, Finn,” he says softly. “Have you spoken to Colt?”

“Um, no, I think. I think it’s best if we just go our separate ways.”

My heart doesn’t agree, clenching painfully in my chest, but it’s safer for Colt, and frankly, I’m not sure I’m ready to trust him, now or ever. Not that he’s been begging.

“Well, just so know I’m here for you,” Teddy says, his cherubic cheeks creased in a solemn smile.

“Thanks, Teddy,” I say, tremulously.

*****

The following week is quiet. Colt wanders around with a perpetual scowl on his face. He informed Melissa, who told me that Tiffany hadn’t returned any of his messages, which worries me. What if Tiffany is stuck wherever Sarah is? What if they’re both dead?

This is all so weird it blows my mind. I mean, I have a stalker with minions who is clearly ready to do whatever he wants to have me. And for what?

That’s a road I don’t really want to go down.

I’m in the library mulling over the drama that is my life when a text comes through from an unknown number.

I need to talk to you

Who is this?

Tiffany

Staring at the screen with horror, I contemplate her request. Should I? This is what we wanted, but what if it’s a trap? Tiffany hasn’t exactly ever been concerned about my safety. Shit, she’s set me up in multiple situations. But if I want answers, do I have a choice?

Finn: Why?

Tiffany: This isn’t going to end, bitch, and now my life is on the line

Oh well, as long as you’re in danger. Sourly I type out a response.

Finn: Can’t you just tell me who he is?

Tiffany: No, not over the phone

Finn: That doesn’t make any sense

Tiffany: He knows everything bitch, he probably knows I’m texting you right now

Okay, paranoid much?

Finn: Fine, where?

Tiffany: The place Colt took my cherry

Gritting my teeth, I type out a response, rapidly, cursing the bitch. She just had to slide that in somewhere, didn’t she?

Finn: How am I supposed to know that?

Tiffany: I don’t know, maybe ask him? Meet me there tonight, at 8 pm don’t be late

Ask Colt? Is this bitch high? Closing out the phone, I sigh into the universe. Should I? Do I want this to be over?

Fuck.

Since Colt is still in all my classes, it’s not hard to track him down, but he’s back to acting like I don’t exist, which causes my pathetic approach to leave a bad taste in my mouth. The fucking specter of my fan looming over my head is a good distraction, but I’d be lying if I said Colt’s behavior isn’t devastating.

Color me surprised. I guess I’ve finally learned how to deal with it if walking through life numb and depressed counts anyway.

After our last class of the day, he precedes me from the room, and I follow with dread. He’s been so cold and icy lately, I’m not looking forward to this, especially because the topic isn’t exactly pleasant.

“Colt!” I call out, hunching my shoulders when he stiffens. Jesus, is it that painful to talk to me?

Slowly he turns, giving me a heated look. For a moment, we stare at each other silently as students flow around, parting for him because they always sense the predator in their midst.

When he doesn’t move from his spot, I step to the side with an exasperated look, waiting while he reluctantly joins me against the wall.

“Um,” I say, searching his gaze.

He lifts a brow, and I sigh, turning my eyes to his chest, which doesn’t help, I miss him and the physical closeness we once shared. But how can I know if any of it was real?

Being around him opens a cavern of pain and indecision I’m not ready to address,