Lo

“OH LOOK, IT’S THE THIEF.” Caitlin smirked as I glared down at her. “Have you to come to beg for penance?”

“Are you really that jealous?”

“Excuse me?” Her head whipped up, anger flashing in her eyes. “What did you say?”

“You heard me. You know, it’s sad, really. That Maverick would stoop to my level when he could have someone like you. Rich. Spoiled. Determined to ruin anyone who crosses her path. Your parents must be so proud.”

Caitlin rose from the bench playing it cool, but I saw her edges blur. She was one second away from losing it in front of half the entire class. 

I’d waited for this moment. For a big audience. Maybe that made me almost as bad as her, but with someone like Caitlin Holloway you had to fight fire with fire. She didn’t understand any other language. I should have realised that a long time ago. 

“How is Maverick finding SU? I heard he’s settling in very well,” her voice dripped sarcasm. But I wasn’t here to be pulled into her games. 

I was done being a pawn in her game. 

“You know, I tried to ignore you, Caitlin. I tried to stay out of your way. But you just couldn’t let it go, could you?” She opened her mouth to reply, but I cut her off. I wasn’t done. Not by a long shot. 

“You know, I pity you. I mean look around you. No one likes you. Sure people follow you around, claiming to be your friend. But they only want a piece of the Caitlin Holloway pie.”

Her victorious smile slipped as the girls gathered behind her started shifting uncomfortably on the bench. “Don’t say something you might regret,” she warned, but her threat rolled off me. Maverick was right, Caitlin could only hurt me if I gave her power. 

“I’m not scared of you Caitlin. You can’t hurt me anymore.”

She stepped into my space, pure rage dancing in her eyes.

“Is that right?” Her brow cocked. “Just because you’re one of them doesn’t mean anything. You can’t—”

“I’ll tell him to pull the plug,” I said defiantly. “Say goodbye to cheer squad. To game day. Don’t forget all the parties you won’t be able to get into.”

“You can’t do that,” her voice wavered, and I knew I had her.

“Can’t I?” I inclined my head, looking her dead in the eye, unable to disguise the smirk tugging at the corner of my mouth.

“Why do you think you still have a social life at Wicked Bay, Caitlin? It’s because I didn’t want a war. I didn’t want any more drama. But you couldn’t let it go. You couldn’t just accept that Maverick chose me, and not you.”

“I—” she stuttered, color exploding along her cheeks, and I knew this was it. The moment Caitlin Holloway’s crown shattered around her.

“If I give the word, your social life will be over before you can blink. Because like it or not, I’m one of them. I’m family.”

The whole lawn was quiet. I hadn’t known what I was going to say to Caitlin before I walked up to her, but from her expression, it was enough. 

“You wouldn’t... you couldn’t.”

“Yes, I could. I haven’t yet because unlike you, I’m not a complete bitch.” I inched closer, my next words meant only for her. “But I know it was you that blackmailed Liam. I know it was you that got me fired, but don’t worry, I won’t rat you out.”

She tensed, her eyes darting everywhere. “W- what do you want?”

“I want you to leave me alone. No more threats. No more elaborate pranks. I want you to forget I exist.”

“But you stole everything from me,” she spat. The fire reigniting in her eyes.

I let out a bitter laugh. “I didn’t steal anything, Caitlin. You lost it all by yourself.”

Her lips quivered, but I didn’t give her time to speak. “Stay away from me, stay away from my family. Or you’re done.” I turned to walk away. Adrenaline humming through my veins. But Caitlin couldn’t let it go. She had to be the last one to get a word in.

“You don’t get to—” Her hand curled around my arm and it just happened.

I spun around bringing my fist up and drove it straight into her face. I wasn’t a fighter. But the second my knuckles connected with her nose, I felt vindicated, maybe even a little bit smug. She yelped, staggering back with her hand covering her face, blood gushing between her fingers.

“What the fuck?”

Kyle chose that moment to appear at my side, mouth hanging open, eyes flicking from me to a hysterical Caitlin and back again. I felt his heavy stare. The unspoken questions. The pride mixed with confusion. But this wasn’t his fight. It was just something I needed to do alone. 

For me.

I ignored him as I looked Caitlin dead in the eye and said, “Consider that your final warning.” I walked away and didn’t look back. Caitlin Holloway was my past.

I refused to let her be part of my future.

~

“I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU broke her nose,” Laurie said for the third time.

“I can’t believe I missed it.” There was an undertone of disappointment in Kyle’s voice and I let out an exasperated breath.

“Kyle, I hadn’t planned on doing that. I just... ugh. She is so infuriating.” I locked eyes with him. “I’m sorry you missed it.” My lips curved a fraction.

“But it felt good, didn’t it? Come on, you can tell us.” He grinned, waggling his eyebrows, and I looked down at my tender knuckles. “Come on, Cous. Tell us.”

“It felt amazing.” My smile grew. It didn’t feel so good now, but thanks to a bag of frozen peas, the swelling had reduced. The school nurse didn’t think I’d broken anything.

“And Principal DeLauder didn’t say anything?”

I shrugged. “Not so far.”

“Everyone knows Caitlin had it coming. I’m surprised Principal DeLauder didn’t give you extra credit for your public service.”

“Kyle, it wasn’t like that. I didn’t do it to win a popularity contest.” It had just happened. All the pent-up frustration. The constant looks and whispers and games. Everyone had their line and I guess mine had been crossed when Caitlin tried to come between me and Maverick and then got me fired from my job.

“Well like it or not, Cous, you just earned celebrity status.”

“Give it a week and everyone will have forgotten all about it,” I grumbled. But I knew better. I’d publicly gone up against Wicked Bay’s Queen Bee. It wasn’t just going to blow over, but hopefully Caitlin had received my message loud and clear.

Kyle dropped down beside me and slung his arm around my neck. “Wait until Rick hears about this, he will—”

“He already knows. I spoke to him earlier.”

“And?”

I shirked free and put some space between us. “He was impressed.”

“Damn straight. It was epic. I keep picturing her face all bloody and—”

“Kyle,” Laurie and I said in unison.

“Let’s hope she finally got the message.”

He gave me a pointed look. “Oh, I think she did. I heard she called Daddy and wanted him to press charges, but he refused to get involved. Said it was time she fought her own battles.”

Well that was something.

“I’m proud of you, Cous. Real proud. It’s like you’re back.”

“Back?” I frowned.

He blanched. “I, hmm, I just mean—”

“What Kyle is trying to say is, we’re glad you’re okay. And he’s right, we’re proud of you, Lo.” Laurie’s expression softened.

“Guys,” I said. “What is happening right now?”

“I don’t know but I think it calls for one thing.” Kyle grinned. “Babe, get over here. Group hug.”

Laurie leapt up and launched herself at the two of us and they wrapped me into a hug. Although it was awkward and uncomfortable and on any other day I would’ve shuddered at the over-the-top PDA, this time I let them have it.

Because Maverick wasn’t the only person who had saved me last year.

~

“LO, THERE’S SOMEONE here to see you,” Dad’s voice drifted down the hall and I pushed my textbook aside wondering who it could be. I’d left Kyle and Laurie earlier at Kyle's house, and Maverick had practice with the team.

“Lo?” He called again just as I appeared.

“Liam?”

“Liam?” Dad said coolly, glancing from the guy standing in the doorway to me. “Liam-from-work, Liam?”

“What do you want?” I said.

“I, hmm, can I have a minute?” When I made no move to reply, he added, “Please.”

“Quite some balls you have, young man,” Dad squared his shoulders.

“Okay, Dad, I’ve got this.” I moved around him, sending him a reassuring look. After another couple of seconds glaring in Liam’s direction, he finally squeezed my shoulder in silent support and left.

Gripping the door, I snapped, “Five minutes.”

He didn’t deserve it. He deserved a slammed door in his face, but I had to remember he was pulled into Caitlin’s games... because of me. So while I wasn’t looking to forgive and forget anytime soon, the least I could do was hear him out.

“Shit, Lo, I’m sorry, okay. I didn’t... I wasn’t...”

“Save it, Liam.”

“But I came to apologize. Caitlin made me do it. She and I... we...” He stared at me through regretful eyes. “We got together, right after you started working here. I didn’t realize, I didn’t know she was using me to get to you. I swear Lo, if I’d have known I would never have touched her. She said if I didn’t help her, she’d tell everyone I—”

“Liam, stop.”

“But—”

“Caitlin is toxic. I know that firsthand. But Caitlin didn’t make you do anything. That’s all on you. You could’ve told me the truth. You could’ve asked for my help. But you didn’t. You sold me out.”

“I... fuck, I really screwed up, didn’t I?”

“Yeah, yeah you did.”

“I set things straight with Gus. I told him everything.”

“Yes, I know.” Gus had already called me to apologise and offer me my job back. But it was too late. I couldn’t work there anymore. He'd not trusted me, and that hurt.

“So you’ll come back?” He looked so hopeful. “If you come back everything will be alright.”

“No, Liam. Everything will not be alright. You told me my boyfriend—the one person who has been there for me through a pretty shitty year—was with another girl. You said that. You. Then to kick me when I was down, you told Gus I stole from him. You labelled me a thief.”

The blood drained from his face as he hung his head. “I’m a fucking idiot.”

“Yeah, you are.” I let out an exasperated breath. “Look, what’s done is done. But I can’t just forgive you because Maverick scared you into coming clean. I’m sorry, but you did a really shitty thing and I don’t need that kind of friend in my life. Goodbye, Liam.”

I closed the door in his face and inhaled a deep breath.

“I’m proud of you, Sweetheart.”

“Dad?” I gawked at him as he poked his head around the hall. “You were listening?”

“Will you hate me if I say yes?” He stepped closer.

“No.”

“I am so proud of you, Lo. Of how you handled that. How you stood up for yourself.”

“I am fed up of being a pawn in peoples' games.”

“Gentry called. He spoke to Rebecca who overheard an interesting conversation between Kyle and Laurie.” His eyes dropped to my hand. “Want to talk about it?”

“I punched a girl today,” the words spewed out and his gaze widened.

“Well, okay then. Did she deserve it?”

I smirked. “Without a doubt.”

He shrugged. “Sometimes words just don’t have the same impact.” Mischief danced in his eyes, and I stifled a laugh. “Does that apply to me too?”

I frowned, and he clarified. “You said you’re fed up of being a pawn. I can’t help but wonder if that statement includes me.”

“Maybe.”

He sucked in a sharp breath but nodded slowly. “I want to fix it, Sweetheart. Fix us. If you’re willing to let me try. How about if I don’t do better, you have my permission to lay one on me. But not my nose. It’s crooked enough already.”

This time I didn’t hold back the laughter, and neither did he. We stood there, two strangers who lost their way, sharing a moment. For the first time in a long time, I felt like we might be able to find our way back to one another. Though things would never be the same—too much had happened—we could move forward in the same direction and maybe our paths would cross again one day.

I was okay with that.