Glass Heart Hero: A Dark High School Romance by Lindsey Iler (free ebook reader for iphone .TXT) 📕

“He’s just grumpy because he hasn’t gotten any in a while. All that built-up cum is starting to directly affect his attitude,” Marek jokes, parking at the football field.

“Don’t worry about me. I’m sure my luck will turn around very soon.” Byron swings his arm over my shoulder. When I hear the low purr of engines, I press against his hold.

A caravan of luxury cars trails in one after the other. It’s us versus them, and they know it. Hollow Hill is known for their theatrics. Unlike them, we don’t need an audience. We tend to keep it a bit low-key.

Tripp climbs out of the driver’s seat of a matte black G-Wagon. His eyes immediately find Delaney across the parking lot. She’s a few steps away, her feet planted on the cement. His face morphs from zero emotion to a slimy, over-accentuated grin. He lifts his hand and wiggles his fingers in a wave.

“He’s fucking kidding, right?” Marek says, coming up next to me to shield Delaney.

“He said some things to her.” I glance at him.

“Let’s shut it down then. What do we have to lose?” He shrugs it off like there’s nothing at stake. For them, there isn’t.

If we are dealing with my father, then I have a lot to lose. Whatever decisions I make tonight may directly affect my sisters’ lives.

“I’ll wait for Madison out here.” Byron grins, toying with the blade in his hand.

“I know this doesn’t need to be said, but, Byron, don’t hurt that girl.” Palmer barges in between us. “I mean it.”

“I’m not going to,” Byron says. “Have a little faith.”

Is he kidding? Have a little faith?

“Let me make it easier for you.” Palmer squints, staring right in his eyes, as if she’d figure out the truth of the world if she allowed herself entry into his warped mind. “Nothing that requires hospitalization, Byron.” A slow smile spreads across her face, and she smacks him on the chest.

“That’s fair.” Byron rests against the passenger door of the Escalade. “Now, get in there.”

“You’re risking a lot here,” I say to Byron.

“If it’s important to you, then it’s worth it. Plus, I’m rich as fuck. What are they going to do, fire me?” He glances away, a happy, sinister grin on his face. “Teach him that even the softest of us aren’t meant to be messed with, Breaker.”

In our group of friends, I’m perceived as soft. That label is understandable. I refused to lay a hand on Palmer when the rest of them were so damn adamant it was necessary. I’m considerate, for those who deserve my consideration. The word soft isn’t an insult. Amongst them, I’m the one who keeps us level. I’m the cushion.

But not tonight.

Tonight, I’m the sledgehammer, and destruction is necessary.

Delaney waits for me, her hand held out, ready to walk into the fire beside me.

“You ready for this?” I ask as we enter the corridor the players use to get onto the field. Delaney nods. Fear is scribbled over her face like tattoos, visible for me to admire. “I promise, nothing will happen to you.”

On the nearly pitch-black field, the crowd is gathered at the fifty-yard line. Delaney and I get closer and hear Marek’s thunderous voice, raising higher and higher.

“Don’t ever say her name again. Do you hear me, Tripp?”

“No one gives a fuck about your whore, Marek,” Tripp says, laughing while searching the crowd for validation.

Marek punches him straight across the jaw. Palmer grabs Marek and jerks him away.

“The only whore I know is your baby sister, Tripp. Heard she spread her legs pretty quick for my boy!” Marek shouts over Palmer’s head. He looks at me and grins. Nice. “Oh, shit, that’s right. You already know all about that, since you’re the piece of shit who spread the rumors all over both campuses after it happened.”

“That’s my sister you’re talking about,” Tripp says. I’d almost believe his plea, if I didn’t have sisters of my own. No good brother sits idly.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper to Delaney. She nods, already knowing what’s about to be said isn’t meant to hurt her in any way. “Your sister.” I tsk my tongue, entering the middle of the crowd, putting myself between Marek’s rabid teeth and Tripp’s khakis. “So sweet.” I lick my lips. “And you know, the crazy thing is I only fucked her because I knew how pissed off you’d be. To you, I’m trash.” I lean in, pressing into his space. “Want to hear something funny, though? I may be exactly what you think I am, but I’m the kind of trash you’re scared of.”

“There isn’t a single thing about you that intimidates me,” Tripp scoffs, pointing at me in some sort of incredible manner. He honestly believes what he’s saying.

“No.” I hold up my fingers. “Not even a little bit?” I lower my hand. “Because this trash stole your sister’s virginity and stole your girl.” The energy in the crowd shifts enough to feel it, oohing and awwing at Tripp’s back. “That last one, though? I think we can both agree she never belonged to you. You want to know why?”

“Because she’s a dumb bitch?” Tripp’s eyes track Delaney as she walks up next to me. They soften for a second. Maybe Tripp wouldn’t have ended up the way he is, if it weren’t for his family. Each of us may have grown differently if we hadn’t been born into the crooked world our families have created.

“No, asshole, because girls like Delaney can’t be owned. That’s where you went wrong. You thought you’d swoop in, do your daddy’s work like a good little boy, and she’d get down on her knees to suck your cock.” I wave my hand at the circle around us. “These girls have given you a sense of comfort through their complacency.”

“Oh, why am I not surprised Breaker Davenport is acting holier than thou?”

“Speaking of holier than thou.” I break the circle around us, staring hard at the top of the