“I know,” Cruz says gently. “But showing up drunk and embarrassing Frankie at school isn’t the way to get her back. And it will get you expelled.”
Marco’s head shoots up, and the brown eyes I love so much find mine. “Can I get you back? Just tell me if there’s a chance, Frankie. Give me something.…” He sounds desperate and angry, hurt and confused all at the same time—and I’m responsible.
Chief glances down the hall. “We need to get you home before anyone else figures out you’ve been drinking. When was the last time you slept, Marco?”
“I’m not leaving until I finish talking to Frankie.” Marco makes eye contact with me again. “Is there a chance?”
How many times will I have to look him in the eye and lie? “It will never work. It’s better this way.” I barely get the words out.
“Better for who?”
“Come on, son.” Chief motions for Marco to follow him. “What you’re doing right now won’t change anything. Just walk away.”
Marco whips around. “Is that the brilliant advice you gave my dad before he blew his career out of the water?”
Cruz freezes next to Chief.
“Because if that’s what you told him, I’m not surprised he threatened to screw up someone’s car.”
“Marco!” Cruz shoves him down the hall. “Shut up and come with me. Right now.”
Chief’s shoulders sag. “I tried to talk your father down. He couldn’t see past his anger. But you’re a better man than him.”
Marco’s jaw twitches, and he tips his chin in my direction. “Her dad doesn’t think I’m a better man. Nobody does. Not even the girl I love.”
Cruz pulls Marco aside. “You’ve got to stop.”
Chief puts his hand on my shoulder. “He can’t see those other doors.”
I only have one thought.…
Neither can I.
Students filter into the hallway. I spot Abel dragging himself toward us, and I forget my own problems.
“Where were you?” I demand.
Lex crosses her arms, digging her nails into her skin. “Go ahead. Dodge the question like you always do.”
He looks like crap.
“Are you hungover?” Not him, too.
“No.” He rubs his bloodshot eyes and leans his head against a locker. “I just didn’t get any sleep.”
“Frankie?” Marco’s voice makes my heart speed up.
Lex shakes her head. “He’s never going to give up.”
“What are you talking about?” Abel asks. He’s out of the loop.
“Worry about yourself,” she snaps.
I turn around and Marco is right behind me. Cruz looks at me and throws up her hands like she’s out of ideas. Chief gives him space, but he doesn’t leave. For a second, Marco just stares at me. I want to wrap my arms around him and confess everything.
“I’m sorry you were worried, Lex,” Abel says, oblivious to what’s going on between Marco and me. “Will you forgive me?”
“Not until you tell me where you were all weekend.”
Abel sighs. “I lost my phone. That’s all.”
Marco glances over my shoulder in Abel’s direction, distracted, before he turns his attention back to me. “I don’t want to upset you,” he says softly. “You and me are good together. Don’t throw it away.”
Lex steps between us. “You need to leave Frankie alone and give her some space.”
“I know, but it’s killing me.” Marco gives her a weak smile and puts his hands on Lex’s arms as if he’s planning to step around her.
Abel looks over and sees Marco holding her arms, and his expression darkens. He pushes past me and moves in front of Lex. “Get your hands off her.” Abel slams his palm against Marco’s chest, shoving him back a few feet.
Lex pushes Abel away. “He wasn’t doing anything.”
People in the hallway slow down, bumping into one another as they stop to watch.
Chief rushes over. “Okay, that’s enough.”
Marco looks at the spot on his chest where Abel shoved him. His eyes flicker back to me, and he takes a deep breath. “I’ll let that slide, Abel, because you’re one of Frankie’s friends. But if you’re such a badass, why don’t you tell your girl where you were all weekend?”
Lex’s eyes dart between them, finally settling on Marco. “You know where he was?”
“Shit!” Abel punches the locker next to mine.
She turns to him. “How does he know, Abel?”
Abel stares at the floor.
Cruz tugs on Marco’s arm, and he finally lets her lead him away. Chief sticks close to them. Marco stops when he reaches the end of the row of lockers and looks back at us. “Abel was betting on my races.”
Lex doesn’t bother to ask if it’s true. The look on Abel’s face says it all. She turns to walk away, and Abel catches her wrist.
“Don’t touch me.” She snatches it away. “I’m tired of worrying about you all the time.”
Abel flinches as if she slapped him.
“I don’t want a front-row seat when you self-destruct. The view already sucks from where I’m sitting now.”
CHAPTER 36
BLACK DAYS
By the time Lex drops me off at the rec center that afternoon, my nerves are fried, and the pain tearing me apart has morphed into another emotion—anger.
Anger at my dad for manipulating me.
Anger at myself for letting him.
Anger at Abel for gambling and lying and hurting Lex.