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

“Finn, take my phone. Go back to the car and call the police,” Hayden says, handing me his phone without breaking his gaze from Nate.

“No,” Nate says, holding out his hands, the knife he’s tightly clutching shining in the sunshine, but for the tip covered in dried blood.

Oh god. Did Nate stab Sarah?

“Go!” Hayden barks.

Spinning on my feet, I race from the clearing as though the hounds of hell are digging at my heels. I don’t feel the sting as branches slap at my face and tear at my hair, and when I trip over a limb, I keep going despite the pain shooting up my ankle.

Images of Sarah’s ghastly face in death race over my vision as I run toward the light, sobs barking from my numb lips. In the distance, I see Hayden’s car, and I emerge from the trees with a gasp, falling to my knees.

Retching once more, I dial the police with trembling fingers and give them an utterly hysterical run down of what’s waiting beyond the trees.

And when the phone buzzes in my hand, I jump and gasp, fighting back another sob. Get your shit together, Finn.

With a deep breath, I glance at the screen and see an incoming text from Colt via Dirk’s phone, and relief floods through me wildly.

Dirk: This is Colt. I heard you were looking for me...I’m fine. Where’s Finn?

Without thought, I hang up on the 911 operator after muttering grimly, “Please just hurry.”

Now that I know he’s okay and Nate’s sitting beside Sarah’s dead body like a total fucking psychopath, I have the violent urge to hear Colt’s voice.

Dialing Dirk’s phone with shaky fingers, I wait impatiently for someone to pick up on the other side.

“Where’s Finn?” Colt demands as soon as he answers.

“Colt…” I sob, tears of relief filling my eyes, followed by guilt. Poor Sarah lies dead, not far away, and I’m celebrating in my fucking head.

“Finn? Why do you have Hayden’s phone? Where are you?”

Ignoring his stern tone, I mutter, “We’re at the fort. We found Nate.”

“Fuck! Why would he take you there? What did you see, Finn?”

“See? What do you mean? I saw Sarah’s dead fucking body,” I cry.

“Fuck! I’m on my way,” he says fiercely, and before I can respond, he’s gone.

Taking a deep breath, I stare at the trees blankly, replaying back Colt’s words in my head. He couldn’t have known Sarah was here - I didn’t mention it at first.

So, what was he afraid I might see?

*****

The police arrive soon after with sirens blaring and guns blazing, quickly taking Nate into custody. As they lead him away, he looks at me with pitiful eyes and lunges in my direction, and with my heart pounding wildly, I turn away, tamping down the sadness I feel for him in his clearly insane state.

It’s over. It’s finally over.

Leaning my head against Hayden’s car, I bite back a sob and smile. I can finally breathe, and the air tastes so very sweet.

Colt pulls up fifteen minutes later, barely putting the truck in park before he’s striding toward me and pulling me into his arms.

The detective interviewing me gives him a rude look, but he ignores it as he hugs me tightly and smiling from ear to ear, I clutch him fiercely, repeating in my head - it’s over. It’s finally over, and I no longer have to worry about whether my stalker, no Nate, sees my affection for Colt. We’re free.

“Are you okay?” he whispers in my ear, and I only have time to nod before he’s pulled away by another detective who interviews him grimly.

After giving our statements, we’re allowed to go home. Since we’re all eighteen, we refuse to have our parents called and instead take off with warnings not to go far.

Colt drives me home, and I hum contentedly, snuggled under his arm, finally feeling as though I can breathe. I’m saddened by Sarah’s death and even Nate’s state, but I can’t regret the fact that it’s now over.

Smiling, he squeezes me to him and says, “Relieved, Princess?”

“Yes,” I exclaim. I’m so relieved – my body is noodly.

“Me too,” he says, kissing me on the forehead.

“I love you,” I whisper, my chest expanding painfully with love when he says huskily, “I love you, too.”

*****

The following week is quiet. Even though it doesn't feel right, we go to school weird in the aftermath of what we witnessed in the trees, as though the mundane act of tests and studying is juvenile.

Now we know there’s a whole wide world out there full of darkness fighting to claw its way through the light.

I haven't heard much more about Nate beyond that he’s in custody and the police continue to find more evidence of his strange obsession.

Having refused to report his assault to the police, Teddy’s healing up nicely. I guess it doesn't matter with all the shit piling up on Nate anyway, and I’m only glad I don't have to worry about him hurting my friends anymore.

The finality of it being over feels weird but good.

Colt and I are inseparable, and whenever possible, sneak away to make love. I think it’s our way of feeling alive in the wake of Sarah’s death and Nate’s evil plans.

When we’re connected, nothing can come between us.

But after, when we’re snuggled together in the afterglow, I sense a quiet sort of desperation about him that leaves me wondering...about us. About him.

I still can't shake the feeling he was hiding something from me, but what? And why? He promised there was nothing more. Shouldn't I take him at face value?

Except I keep circling back around to the mysterious text message, which I never asked Colt about it, and when I gave him back the phone that day, he didn’t comment on.

It could be nothing, but I’m going out of my mind with worry because I recognize the shuttered look he gets in his eyes when he feels backed into a corner,