Bad Intentions (Bad Love 2)

“So you were in the woods,” I say, more to myself, as I pull the splinters of bark out and clean the cuts with an antiseptic wipe. His elbows rest on his knees, hands hanging down as I work. He doesn’t stop me. Doesn’t even look at me.

Once I finish, I sit with my palms on top of my thighs, waiting for him to say something—anything. I can’t see his eyes with the way his hair falls in front of them, and I have the urge to brush the inky black strands away. Using one finger, I do just that, and his scowl deepens, eyes clenching shut, almost as if my touch causes him physical pain.

“What happened to you?” I try once more. Yesterday, I had a boyfriend who would move mountains for me. Who couldn’t keep his hands off me. Today, he doesn’t even want me near him.

Dare stands abruptly, his chair rolling into the wall behind him, then storms out of the drawing room without a word. I stand and walk back into the main room. Cord has Dare by the shoulders, trying to get him to focus on what he’s saying, and I’m surprised to see Asher and Camden, Cordell’s brother, coming toward me.

“Give me a few. I’m going to take him next door. Get some coffee into his drunk ass and see if I can figure out what the fuck is going on,” Asher says, his tone brusque.

I nod, sliding my hands into my front pockets. Camden gives my shoulder a squeeze with his tattooed hand.

“He’ll be all right,” he says knowingly. “We all have our shit. Believe me, this has been a long time coming.”

Asher seems to be about as confused as I am, throwing a questioning look at Camden.

“I’ll be here,” I say, biting the tip of my thumbnail.

Cord, Camden, Asher, and Dare all head out, leaving me with Matty. Dare looks over his shoulder at me, and the tormented look in his eyes crushes me. How do you fix someone when they won’t tell you what’s broken? As soon as they’re out the door, I cover my face with my hands, and Matty pulls me into his arms. I let him hug me for a minute before stepping away. I don’t want to cry right now.

I pace back and forth by the cork board on the wall, full of flyers and pictures—including the ones of Dare and I from Halloween—for what seems like hours. In reality, only twenty minutes have passed. Done with waiting, I decide to go check on Dare.

“I’ll be right back,” I say to Matty as I push open the door. I’m halfway between Bad Intentions and Blackbear when I hear my name called from somewhere to the right. I look over to find Eric prowling toward me.

“Not now.” I sigh, unable to deal with any more drama.

“Hear me out,” he says, pulling out a manila folder. I’m skeptical, but for some reason, I don’t walk away like I know I should. Somehow, I know that whatever is in his hands is about to change everything.

“I told you to stay away from me.”

“I just thought you should know the kind of scum you’re shacking up with.”

“I don’t care what you think you know,” I seethe, getting into his space. I’m so sick of Eric fucking with my life. “Dare is a good person, which is more than I can say of you.”

“Highly doubt that, considering he’s a murderer.” Eric chuckles darkly, opening the folder. He holds it out in front of me, and I snatch it from his hands. There are several articles in here, but on the first page, I see a headline in bold letters with a picture of a young Dare below.

Teen suspected of killing foster brother.

I slowly turn my head toward Blackbear, my eyes finding Dare almost instantly. As if he senses me, he looks up and we lock eyes. The folder slips out of my grasp, papers fluttering to the sidewalk around me. Dare’s eyes widen, and when they land on Eric, they narrow into slits.

I don’t believe it. Not for a second. Not even with the murderous expression on his face right now.

“It’s amazing what you can find on the internet,” Eric says smugly. I’m still looking at Dare as he stands when something inside me snaps. I curl my fingers into a fist and launch it into the side of Eric’s face. Shock replaces his cocky smile.

“Fuck you, Eric.”

Eric’s hand darts out, wrapping around my throat, and then I’m slammed against the wall behind me, only my tiptoes touching the ground.

“Your boyfriends aren’t here to help you this time, Logan,” he taunts, and I swing my foot forward to kick him in the balls. He jumps away, but not fast enough.

“Fuck!” he screams, and then his fist is coming straight for my face. My head cracks against the wall behind me, and I feel dazed for a few seconds before the pain sets in, causing me to cry out.

“Look what you made me do!” he yells back, and from the corner of my eye I see the door to Blackbear open, then Eric is gone. I sink down the wall, but Dare scoops me up, holding me in his arms as Cordell, Camden, and Asher pin Eric to the pavement.

“Lo, are you okay?” Dare asks, tipping my chin up. My face feels wet, and I bring my hand to my nose only to realize it’s blood. That son o

f a bitch.

“I’m fine. I’m fine,” I say again, this time firmer. It hurts, but I’m more angry than anything.