Not My Hero

It makes hope find its way back into my heart again that the future might be brighter and that everything will work out okay.Chapter 13COLTONWhen Mom leaves the room, I glance up to Brie. Michael’s been in the back of my mind all morning. Now that I’m calmer, I feel it will be a waste of my time meeting him. Some idiots just can’t be reasoned with.

“There’s something we need to talk about,” I say, patting the space next to me again. After she takes a seat, I suck in a deep breath, not knowing how Brie is going to react. “I have to meet Michael at Devil’s Bluff after school.”

Her eyes widen on me. “Why?”

“After you left this morning, I got into a fight with him.”

A worried look settles on Brie’s face, and then she asks, “Did you get in trouble?”

“I got off with a warning. But afterward… I was pissed off and agreed to meet Michael so we can settle this shit.”

“But…” Brie’s eyebrows knit together, “you don’t have to.”

I shake my head. “We both have to go, Brie. We have to make a statement, so they’ll stop bullying you.”

Her shoulders slump, and she lets out a tired sigh. “But I don’t want you getting into fights because of me.”

“One fight.” I hold up my pointer finger. “That’s all it will take.”

Her eyes drift over my face before they lower back to her hands. “But what if you get hurt?”

The fact that she’s worried about me makes my heart tighten and expand at the same time.

“I’ve had a lot of practice. Michael won’t get the chance to hurt me,” I state.

Brie pulls her bottom lip between her teeth, and it draws my undivided attention to her mouth.

I wonder if she’s ever been kissed.

Get your mind out of the gutter. You have the fight to focus on, or you will get your ass kicked.

“I’ll be okay,” I reassure her. I take hold of her hand and hold it between both of mine. “You need to see how to stand up for yourself. I’ll always try to be there, but I want you to learn how to handle these assholes.”

She shakes her head, and after a couple of seconds, mutters, “They won’t ever listen to me.”

“You have to make them listen,” I say.

Brie pulls her hand from mine, and she looks so tired that I say, “You don’t have to do anything now. I just want to show you how to deal with them.”

Reluctantly, Brie nods.

“We should get going. Do you know where Devil’s Bluff is?” I ask.

Brie nods again, and we get up from the bed.

“Let me just tell my mom we’re heading out.” I walk to Mom’s room, and not finding her there, a grin spreads over my face.

I catch up to Brie, where she’s waiting outside her room. “She’s probably downstairs.”

We find Mom in the kitchen. She has the fridge open, frowning.

“We’re just going somewhere. Do you need me to stop at the store?”

Mom shuts the fridge. “Yes, can you get some eggs and milk?”

“Sure.”

Brie waves at my mom, and then we walk out to the truck. Once settled in the cab, she says, “It’s on the outskirts of town. I haven’t gone there much.”

I steer the vehicle down the street. “Show the way.”

The area grows thicker with trees as we near the first lookout point.

“I’ve heard students like to come here to make out,” Brie mutters. “There’s also a waterfall with a pool where they usually party if you follow that trail.”

I stop a distance from the other cars, so I don’t get blocked in. My eyes go over the already forming crowd as I unbutton the cuffs of my school shirt. Rolling up my sleeves, I say, “Just stay behind me.”

“Do I have to go with you?” Brie asks, apprehension evident in her voice.

She’s had a tough day, and the last thing I want to do is add to it.

“No, you can stay here and watch.”

Brie lets out a breath of air.

I reach for her hand and give it a squeeze. “I’ll be right back.”

Climbing out of the truck, I stalk toward an arrogantly grinning Michael.

“Finally,” he calls out. “I thought you were going to chicken out.” I don’t reply, and as I near Michael, he says, “Two hits. My fist hitting your jaw and you hitting the ground.”

When I’m close enough, I throw everything into the punch, and Michael drops like a sack of potatoes. He groans in pain as he struggles to turn onto his side.

“Next time you fuck with Brie, I’ll kill you,” I growl. My gaze darts over the other students. “The same goes for all of you. Leave her the fuck alone.”

I turn around and walk to the truck. I slide in behind the steering wheel and say, “That’s how it’s done.”