Unbroken

Eight

Leo

“What are you doing?” Hunter asked him as they sat on the rocks, watching Skye collect flowers in a nearby bush.

“What do you mean?” Leo’s eyes trailed her form, at her thick long hair flowing to her hips. How did she keep it tamed, and soft? What was the name of the spray she used because Leo wanted to buy it and smell it on his pillow at night.

“Why go to that school with us?” Hunter said. “I don’t get it.”

For a time there, Leo didn’t get it either. That first day of school, he’d stared after them, walking down the hallway, her on Hunter’s back, his arms around her legs; they made it look so natural…

And he…he felt he did not belong, did not fit in. He feared that his mother’s humiliating presence had tarnished him already, made him look like some rich Mama’s Boy. Thatbitch.And while Skye assured him to not allow his mother to get to him, Hunter had beaten some gutter rat in the hallways. Leo’s cheeks had flamed from the shame of it. That he would allow his emotions to be wrung dry from his bitch of a mother while Hunter was fighting for Skye’s honour—he feared Skye would think little of him, that he might appear weak to her.

And yet…

Skye was Skye.

If he thought she might treat him differently, he was wrong. And anyway, Leo told himself that he did not have to fight with his fists like some beastly savage to gain anyone’s fear or respect. He would use his words, cajole anyone that did not warm up to him.

Weeks had passed by since.

“It’s a great school,” Leo finally murmured, dryly.

Hunter scoffed. “You don’t belong is all, and I don’t want you to get jumped or something.”

Leo shook his head. “I don’t care if I do. It’s worth it.”

“Worth getting beaten?”

“Better being there with you guys.”

Anything to be away from home.

“You still have a lot to prove after what your mom did in front of everyone,” Hunter added now.

“I know,” Leo muttered.

“How’d you keep her away?”

“Told her I’d tell my old man about the trainer she’s been banging.”

Hunter blew out a breath. “That would do it.”

“Maybe.”

His mother was always strategizing, but lately she’d lost all control. George wasn’t as patient with her anymore, and Leo ignored her like the plague. She might do something impulsive if she continued to go unheard—that was her nature. She was growing more unhinged.

“I feel like I’m waiting for her to do something,” he admitted.

“Like what?”

“I don’t know. Just…something to get at me, or my dad, or…” He let out a long breath, feeling defeated. “But if it’s not her, it’s always something else.”

Hunter reflected on that for several moments. “They still messing with your head?”

Leo talked to Hunter about what went on a lot lately. He shouldn’t, either. If his father knew, he’d pull him out of the school and send him away within the hour. Such discussions were dangerous and forbidden.

“They keep taking me to this dark place,” Leo explained, unable to stop despite the ramifications. “It’s scary, Hunt.”