Deep (Heavy Hearts Book 2) by Sarah Duncan (reading tree txt) 📕

still in my bedroom, though. Maybe I should move them down to my mum’s room? At least until she gets home from the hospital. Whenever that will be?

At first, I didn’t know why I came back to the house that holds all of my nightmares. I knew I had to come back to Fox Pines because that’s where my life is. I had intended to stay in the town’s only motel, The Foxy Pine. I was wrong. Once my feet left the train, they led me back here. This house may hold memories I’d like to forget, but it used to feel like home, and it’s the only home I have. Mike’s attempt to break me failed. This is my house, and that fucker better not think he can come back here ever again.

“Lex?”

Marcus startles me out of my thoughts, making me jump. I hadn’t realised that I was staring at myself in my dresser mirror, and I don’t know how long I’ve been like that, or how long Marcus has been witnessing it. I do that sometimes now. Lose time. I think I just fall so deeply into my thoughts that I don’t pay attention to what I’m doing. Who knows? My head is screwed up worse than it’s ever been.

I turn to Marcus, trying to appear normal, so he doesn’t see how embarrassed I am.

“The doors.” Marcus looks over his shoulder towards the bathroom. Not only haven’t I been back in there, but I avoid looking through the open doorway because the shower is the first thing I see. I also avoid looking at the brownish-red bloodstains on the carpet in the hall, which Valarie’s mum obviously couldn’t successfully scrub out.

Marcus turns back to me, looking uncomfortable, raking his hand through his thick brown hair. “I’ll fix them this weekend. Or maybe tonight. Do you know where the doors are?”

“In the back shed.” My voice sounds dead, and my heart feels cold.

Marcus frowns at me, worry etched across his face, “You okay?”

I give my head a single shake before moving past him out of my room.

“You can shower in my mum’s en-suite if you need to before you leave.” I keep walking, descending the stairs, and Marcus calls out.

“That’s okay. I’ll sneak back home and shower there before school.”

Going upstairs always succeeds to push my rage to the surface. It’s all-consuming, and I make no attempt to push it down. It’s as if I need to feel the anger. I can’t say that I like it, but I just know that I need it right now.

Marcus leaves for school after following me upstairs and trying to make conversation with me. It’s no good, though. I’m in a dark place again, and he can’t reach me.

I spend the day the same way I have every other day since getting back. I go for a run on my mum's treadmill that she used twice before using it to hang washing on. I pound the shit out of Mike’s boxing bag in the garage and use his weights to push the limits of my weak girly muscles until the burning gets too much. I troll the internet while eating lunch to see if there’s any news on my dad or Mike. So far there’s nothing. Both of those fuckers are still out there, just waiting for the right moment to pounce. I can feel it in my bones. I haven’t heard from either of them, but I know it’s only a matter of time before I do.

As with every other day, I call the hospital where my mum is staying, only to be told that she’s still not accepting calls. I try to reach out to Abbey again via email since that’s what worked the other time. Still nothing from her either.

Just when the loneliness and isolation start to overwhelm me, I get a message from Marcus in our group chat that includes Simon, Garrett, Jared and Shaun.

Marcus Grady

Heads up, Lexi. We’ll be over around 5pm.

Lexi West

Who’s we?

I know he means the guys in the group message, but what can I say. I’m lonely and want a conversation, even if it’s brief.

Simon Hastings

All you need to know is that I’ll be there. No one else matters.

Shaun Bossier

Dude. She won’t care about you once I walk through the door.

Garrett Cole

Marcus man, maybe you should have sent Lexi a PM.

Having these idiots in the chat isn’t a good idea!

Marcus Grady

I’m beginning to see that!

Shut up, dickheads!

Jared Crowley

Don’t worry, Lex. Stick with me. I’ll protect you from these idiots.

Simon Hastings

Who are you calling an idiot? Idiot!

Garrett Cole

That’s it, boys, keep showing Lexi how smart you are!

#digyourowngrave

Simon Hastings

Did you just use a hashtag on me, Cole?

Marcus Grady

I’m pretty sure Gaz used a hashtag on all of you.

Jared Crowley

How are you anyway, Lex? Ready for a night of gaming?

If I recall correctly, you owe me a rematch of Fortnite.

Wow, he has a good memory. We spent an entire weekend playing it at Simon’s months ago.

Lexi West

Firstly, you’re all idiots!

Secondly Jar, isn’t Fortnite like, so last year?

Simon Hastings

Ha! Burn!

Jared Crowley

Shut up, Hastings!

Lexi, Lexi, Lexi. Fortnite will never die!

Shaun Bossier

Fortnite is totally dead!

Jared Crowley

Says the tosser who still pulls himself over Mario Kart and his ancient Nintendo console!

Lexi West

All right, guys. Piss off and do your schoolwork. Stop interrupting me.

Garrett Cole

What are you up to anyway, Lex?

Lexi West

Homework.

It’s a total lie. While I have been keeping up with the work, my teachers have emailed me, it’s not what I’m doing now. I’m not about to admit to them that the rage consuming me is sending me down a dark and lonely path, and today I’m plotting my revenge against Mike in my head.

Simon Hastings

Of course, you are Lex. You’re always the A-grader.

Not for a while now, but he doesn’t need to know that.

Garrett Cole

That’s great, Lex!

Simon’s sour because you haven’t been around for him to copy work off.

Simon Hastings

Shut up, idiot! I don’t need to copy anyone. I’m a genius.

Marcus Grady

If you’re a genius, then I’m a fucking