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

Matthews asks, walking hurriedly behind me as I make a mad dash towards the door.

“Nothing. All G. Mr M. See you in a couple of days.”

I don’t hang around to hear what Mr Matthews says next because I’m out the door and down the hall in the blink of an eye. I should go home, but I don’t. I send the boys a message to meet me where Rhys hangs out at recess, and I sneak up to the back of the school and wait it out.

The bell has barely gone when I see Ayden round the corner, his eyes locking onto mine.

“Are you okay?” He doesn’t give me a chance to answer when he reaches me and claims my lips. My panic starts to subside a little, and I know it’s from the drug that is Ayden Mitchell.

I nod when he pulls back and cups my face to look into my eyes.

“I need to come clean,” I whisper, and Ayden’s eyes swim with concern.

“It’s only a rumour, Lex.” He whispers back.

“You know it’s not Ayden.”

He frowns, “So? You don’t have to tell anyone else. It just looks like another desperate attempt by Tasha to bring you down.”

“I know. But I just feel like I need to be free of all the lies. I fucked up Ayden. Bad. Travis shouldn’t be the only one that has to pay for it.” I step back from Ayden’s hold when I hear the banter of the boy’s float around the corner.

Ayden gives me a small grin. “I get it, Lex. You do what you need to do. I’ll be right by your side.”

“You will?”

“Yes. I will.” Ayden’s support is overwhelming. I could cry if I let myself, but I won’t because I’m sick of my eyes leaking.

“Here’s our girl. This place is so boring without you, Lexi.” Simon bounds up to me and lifts me into a spin from behind, causing me to squeal.

When he puts me down, I’m met with a high five from Shaun and Garrett, a hug from Jared, and a playful shoulder bump from Marcus. Rhys and her crew haven’t made it here yet, so now is the best time to get this conversation over and done with.

I give the boys a quick rundown of the night I broke into the school with Travis and watch a mix of emotions flit across their faces. By the end, I can’t look at them. My shame is too much and seeing it in their eyes will surely kill me.

“Okay, then. We should still redirect the focus to Tasha. No one will believe the crap she is trying to spread, anyway.” Marcus says, and the other boy's nod.

“Only it isn’t crap, is it? It’s true.” I counter, and Simon catches my eye. He’s smiling.

“It’s our secret. They don’t need to know that. Fuck Tasha. She’s been nothing but a vindictive cow to you. It’s time to take her down.”

“I think I’m in enough trouble already.” I can’t afford to get busted for anything else.

“Nah, not you Lex. We should get Rhys to handle this.” Marcus says, just as the crazy chick in question appears behind us.

“Get me to handle what?” Rhys asks.

“Tasha,” Marcus says regarding Rhys. Their eye contact gives away that they are more than just friends with benefits, but that’s the only sign that there’s something more going on between them.

“Ooooh, Yes. I’d be happy to bring her down.” Rhys rubs her hands together, and everyone laughs. Everyone but me.

“No.” All eyes turn to me. “I really just want to ignore her. She will hate that more. I don’t want to make a big deal about Tasha, and I also don’t want anyone else getting into it with her either. People can see who she really is. She’s digging her own grave. Let’s just leave it to karma.”

“Oh, poo. That’s boring.” Rhys stomps her foot, lightening the mood again.

The rest of my new friends arrive then, and the conversation quickly disperses. Ayden is just about to take my hand in his when it’s snatched up by Jared.

“I need a moment with Six.” Jared glares at Ayden, who returns it but doesn’t try to stop Jared when he leads me away from the group into the trees.

“What was that about?” I ask Jared once he stops walking and turns to me. He doesn’t drop my hand.

“What?” His innocent reply makes me roll my eyes.

“The glare you shot Ayden. What’s your deal Jar?”

He is either swirling his tongue or biting the inside of his cheek right now. It’s hard to tell. But his blue eyes, which aren’t quite as bright as Ayden’s, roam my face and search my eyes.

“So, you guys are back together now?” He asks, his tone cold.

My shoulders drop, and I sigh. I don’t need this shit from Jared right now. But he’s my friend, so I guess we have to sort this out.

“Yes, we are.”

“So, you just forgave him for the way he treated you?” There’s venom in Jared’s tone, and I hate hearing it from him.

“Let’s get something straight. I forgave him immediately because the situation was fucked, and I’m not going to have you judge him since you weren’t even there to witness anything. I didn’t take him back when he returned because I thought he deserved better.”

“Lex, I wasn’t there because you shut me out. For months you have done that, and you keep springing surprises on me. I could have fucking helped you every step of the way!” Frustration sees Jared drag his hand through his ash blonde hair, messing up his styling. “Why the fuck would you think Ayden deserves better than you? If anything, you deserve better than him. Much better. Fuck Six! I thought we were friends?”

Jared’s words sting. I hadn’t meant to shut him or anyone else out. But I had until Ayden came along. I could argue that Jared didn’t fight hard enough to make sure I was okay, but that’s not fair. He didn’t know, and what’s done