Scar takes a step back and I put an arm around her waist, guiding her a few feet away, in case they start throwing down.
Neo, being much stronger than Crew, pushes him, which gives them both some space. I remove my arm from Scar’s waist and use the opportunity to step between them. With my hands spread, I shout, “Both of you, quit this shit! You’re friends, remember?”
“Fuck that nonsense,” Neo scoffs, stepping around us, “he’s not my fucking friend. Not lately.”
Crew doesn’t even look at me as he takes Scar’s hand and leads her down the hall. As they go, she glances at me over her shoulder, giving me a sorrowful look, then turns into Crew’s room, leaving so many unanswered questions in my head.
ChapterFour
SCAR
Crew closeshis door and begins pacing the room. My heart beats rapidly in my chest because I’m not sure what’s going through his head. Is he upset with me because of the Jagger situation, or is he upset with Neo because…well, he’s Neo?
He’s on his fourth lap across the room when I reach out and grab his arm. “What’s wrong, Crew?”
Fuming, he jerks away and keeps on his path. “Everything is fucking wrong.”
I’m not sure what I can do to help the situation. Honestly, I’m not sure there is anything I can do. The last thing I want is to put myself in the middle of their quarrels, even though they usually do center around me. If it weren’t for me, these guys would be having the senior year of their lives.
No.They brought me here. I didn’t ask for this, they did.
“Would you fucking stop?” My voice rises, much higher than I intended it to. It grabs his attention, so I’m not that regretful.
Crew stops in front of his unmade bed, his posture lax. When he doesn't say anything, I do all the talking.
“If this is about Jagger, you need to quit being so jealous. I’ve told you time and time again—”
He rapidly fires a response. “It’s not about him.”
“Okay, well, if it’s Neo, then I don’t know what to say because there probably isn’t anything that will fix this unless you start treating me as shitty as he does.”
He sits down on the end of the bed, legs dangling over the cherry oak footboard. “He’s such a fucking asshole.”
“You guys are like brothers. He’ll get over it eventually.”
Turning his head, he looks at me. “I’m not so sure about that.”
“Why, though? I don't get it. It’s been so long and I still don’t understand.” I walk over to where he’s sitting and position myself between his legs. “Make me understand, Crew.”
His eyes lift to mine. “I wish I could.”
My head bobs slowly. “The rules? The Lawless? The secrets?”
He nods.
“Look. There’s a lot that happens that we are sworn to secrecy on. Pacts and oaths were made and it doesn’t excuse the shit I’ve done, but they’ve stolen my voice.”
“What kind of pacts and oaths?”
“A brotherhood pact with the guys and an oath to The Blue Bloods.”
I’m not surprised by any of this. I’ve always known the guys had oaths to The Society that the girls didn’t. I’m just wondering why it’s an issue all of a sudden. "Does every Lawless group have this pact?”
He nods again.
That explains why my dad is so faithful to Neo’s asshole dad. His other Lawless brothers are not terrible human beings; in fact, Jagger’s and Crew’s dads are pretty decent, but Sebastian Saint is the worst, and I’ve always wondered why my dad puts up with his shit. Now I know—he has to.
“This is why I never wanted to be part of this shit. The Blue Bloods have stolen our lives, Crew.”