“You should come with us,” Easton tells her, and I groan loudly.
“Jesus Christ, E. Read the fucking room.”
My eyes lock with Delaney’s, my stare silently telling her to go the fuck home. No words are exchanged, but I can tell she knows exactly what I’m trying to say. As if her only goal is to piss me off, she smirks.
“Don’t,” I warn, but it’s too late.
“Sounds like fun.”
My jaw ticks at her answer, and I’m so close to punching Easton in the fucking face for even inviting her. The guys all smile triumphantly while I’m straight up ready to snap. I grab the bag from the ground and head for Zayn’s car before I do some shit that I regret.
MRS. VANDALAY’S HOUSE IS the perfect canvas—all white siding that looks like it’s recently been power washed. The lack of a car out front and the lights off inside tell us that she’s most likely not home, but we still need to be quiet in case any neighbors decide to see what the commotion is.
Stone grabs a can and shakes it up, instantly writing BITCH across the front of the house. Gage follows suit before Easton and Tessa join them. I stand back, leaning against Zayn’s car and watching it all go down. My best friend steps beside me.
“You think she’s actually going to do it?”
I steal a glance over at Delaney; she’s still got that glint in her eyes but her feet stay planted to the sidewalk.
“I don’t know. That girl is surprising me at every damn turn.”
He chuckles. “So I’ve noticed.”
“Fuck off. It’s not like that.”
“I never said it was,” he says, and goes to take part in the festivities.
I take a cigarette from my pack and light it, inhaling the smoke and hoping to hell it calms me down. Even the fact that she’s here has me on high alert. She should be at home, doing what valedictorian prospects do, not hanging around a bunch of delinquents while they vandalize a house.
“Laney,” Gage calls as he jogs up to her. “Come on. You’ve got to try this, it’s such a rush.”
The second he puts his arm around her, a level of rage so strong that it blurs my vision rushes through me. There isn’t a thing in the world that could keep me in place. I may not be the jealous type, but for her, I’m a possessive monster ready to kill anyone who gets in my way. I throw my cigarette to the ground and stomp it out with my foot before all but shouting his name.
“Gage!” He stops, as does everyone else, and they watch as I storm up to him. Even Delaney’s eyes widen. “Get your fucking hands off her before I break every bone in your goddamn arm.”
He does as I say, but doesn’t back down the way I expected him to. “What the hell is your deal lately?”
To be honest, I don’t have an answer for him. I’ve never felt the need to be so protective over anyone before. Shit, even Hailey has slept with half my friends. All I know is that Delaney is different, and the mere thought of anyone touching her but me is grounds for homicide.
Red and blue lights fill the night sky and dread floods my stomach in a flash. “Shit!”
“What do we do?” Delaney questions, the fear in her voice is evident.
“Run.”
I spin her around and shove her forward, forcing her to take off with me and the rest of my friends. We all book it down the street, turning corners in an attempt to lose the cops but they stay hot on our tails. We turn into an alley and see a fence in the distance. Everyone else climbs over it with ease, but as I approach, I see Delaney struggling to get over. I glance behind me, noticing how close the officers are, and make a split-second decision that surprises even me.
Gripping Delaney’s waist, I lift her up and practically throw her over the fence just before I’m pinned against it by the weight of two grown men. My eyes meet hers as they put me in handcuffs and her sister pulls her away. Everyone else might be confused by what just happened, but not us. For her and me, it’s crystal clear.
JAIL CELLS ARE BY far one of the most disgusting places on earth. The amount of people who have pissed in these just to get back at the officers is enough to make anyone cringe. It didn’t take long for them to book me, having been through the process before and not requiring any explanation on how things work.
After that was done, they sat me in a chair, where I saw a judge through a computer screen. She lectured me about my behavior, set bond in the amount of an unreasonable ten grand—cash only—and sent me on my way. I didn’t even bother calling my mom. She doesn’t have that kind of cash. So, I used my one phone call to let Zayn know I’m going to be in here at least until my arraignment in a few days.
I’m lying on the paper-thin mattress, staring up at the disgusting ceiling and replaying the events of tonight in my head. Fucking Bambi. If she had just gone the hell home like I wanted her to, she wouldn’t have risked getting herself put in here. Just the thought of her in a place like this puts a heavy pit in my stomach. I know I’m going to get shit from my friends for saving her and taking the fall, but I’d do it a million times over if it meant she never had to step foot in here.
“Vaughn!” My name echoes throughout the small cell as an officer unlocks the door. “You made bail.”
My brows furrow, but I don’t ask any questions as I get up and follow him out. They give me my belongings and send me on my way. I’m almost positive they’ve made a mistake—until I get outside. Delaney is standing only a few feet from the door, fidgeting with her sleeve nervously. As soon as I let the door close behind me, she l