Broken English (Broken Lives Book 1) (28 page)

I gaped at him. I knew he had a dark side,
but nothing like this, not even close.

He continued, “I also enjoyed killing his
bitch of a mother. My auntie told me what she did to my father. She used to
date him when they were teenagers. She cheated on him with Happy Meal’s father,
then set him up to get a beat down from the Devil’s Crew. She deserves to be
six feet under just as much as Happy Meal. They’re
exactly
the same.”

I put my hands to my head. “Does anyone
know they’re dead?”

“I have no idea, and I don’t really give a
shit, other than when Phelia finds out, cos I ain’t holding back anymore. I
want her and you’re gonna help me.”

“I can’t force her to like you. She goes
for muscular, fit guys. She won’t want you, no matter how much you say bein’
fat ain’t a problem.”

He grimaced. “She’s gonna be upset when
she finds out Happy Meal’s dead. I’ll be there for her, lettin’ her cry on my
shoulder.”

“She’s more likely gonna cry on mine.”

“Then, invite her here. We’ll double-team
her.”

I shot up off the bed. “I told you, I ain’t
having a threesome!”

He glared at me. “I killed for you, so you
will
get her here, and if you don’t—”

I took a step towards him. “Yeah, what?
You gonna cap me too?”

“Of course not, but I will do one thing.”

“What!”

He leaned his face close to mine. “Tell
your dad you’re fucking your teacher.”

“You wouldn’t dare.”

“I just killed two people, do you think
runnin’ my mouth off will keep me awake at night?”

“Firstly, I’m not fucking her, and
secondly, mates don’t rat each other out.”

“
Firstly
, your dad won’t know that,
and
secondly
, mates help each other out.”

“Not outta their clothes.”

“I’m not gay!” he yelled. “I want Phelia.
You bloody know that. I wank myself blind thinking ’bout her.”

“I’m still not fucking her for you.”

He pulled a face. “I really don’t get you.
She’s the hottest thing in school, yet you whine like a li’l bitch ’bout doin’
her? Why do you hate her so much? Cos I really don’t get it.”

“I don’t hate her, she just can’t suck cock
or kiss to save herself, and there’s no way I wanna stick my dick where Happy
Meal’s been.”

“You already did, so you can do her
again.”

“I only fucked her mouth, and as I said,
she sucked in a bad way.”

“Then close your eyes and think of Mrs.
Hatton.”

I tensed at his words. “You’re just like
your bitch auntie,” I snapped, what he’d said reminding me of what I had to do with
her.

He frowned. “What do you mean by that?”

I went silent, not meaning to let it slip.

“What do you mean by that?” he repeated,
his voice now a growl.

“She’s always making me do shit I don’t
want,” I said, trying to think of something I could use as an example.

“Like what?”

“Cleaning my room,” I lied, realising it
sounded lame, but not knowing what else to say.

Jasper pulled a face. “You sound like a
whining li’l kid.”

“I’m still not having a threesome with you
and Phelia.”

“Then, fuck off! Cos, what I do for you obviously
means shit.”

I did just that. I stormed out of his room
and bounded down the staircase, throwing his auntie a glare, the bitch hanging
around the bottom of the stairs. I yanked open the front door and bolted
outside, ignoring her question, the woman asking me what was wrong. I didn’t
have enough time in the day to answer her, what she’d done to me now the least
of my worries.

27

CLARA

I could barely look Dante in the eye the following
day, and although he came to my English class, he ignored me, until I called
out his name for the roll. He looked up and said, “Toy boy,” then dropped his
gaze and resumed what he was writing in his book, not reacting to the other
students’ laughter, his jaw set in a hard line of anger.

Jasper also didn’t laugh, his dark eyes
going to mine. Goose bumps rose across my flesh, a feeling of unease making me
look away. Wishing I was anywhere but here, I forced myself to continue with
the class, fairly certain that Dante had told his best friend about what I’d
done. Even though Dante had insisted he wouldn’t talk, I knew he would. I just
knew it.

A phone started ringing, snapping me out
of my troubled thoughts. Phelia removed a cell from her bag and answered it. I
went to tell her to put it away, but stopped at her startled cry.

“What’s wrong, Phelia?” I asked.

Instead of answering me, she started shaking
her head, saying “No, no, no,” continually into her phone.

I headed around my desk, going to her. She
looked up at me with big eyes, the girl obviously in a state of shock. I took
her phone out of her hand, Phelia not even fighting me.

I placed it to my ear. “Who’s this?” I
said into the phone.

“No, who is this?” a hard voice answered.

“Phelia’s English teacher. So, again, who
are you and what did you say to her?”

“I work for her boyfriend’s father, Jonah
McDonald. I’m ringing to let Phelia know that Ronnie and his mother were
murdered.”

I blinked, stunned by what he’d said.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t tell her in person,”
he continued. “I’ll ring her with the funeral details when I have ’em.” He hung
up.

I returned my attention to Phelia, telling
her what he’d said about the funeral, adding, “Would you like me to phone
someone to come get you?”

“N-n-no one’s home.” She covered her face
and burst into tears.

Pushing out of his seat, Dante went to
her, placing his hands on the back of her chair, his expression upset. “I’ll
take her home.”

Jasper bounded out of his chair a second
later, going to her other side. “I’ll also help.”

I nodded, not wanting to say no. And even
if I did, I didn’t think they would listen to me. Jasper was already pulling
Phelia up, wrapping a large arm around her.

He nodded at her desk. “Grab her bag,
Dante,” he said, steering her toward the doorway.

Keeping his eyes down, Dante swiped up
Phelia’s bag and followed them out of the classroom, Phelia’s friends tagging along
behind him. As soon as they’d left, the other students started talking amongst
themselves, their chatter tinged with excitement, rather than sorrow over
Ronald’s murder. Leaving them to talk, I slipped into my small office, which
was attached to the classroom. I grabbed my phone, calling the principal to
tell him what had happened.

“I’ve just heard,” he replied. “If any of
your students need someone to speak to, please send them through to the
counsellor’s office.”

I
replied with an affirmative, returning to my class a moment later. None of the
students took up the offer, the only ones caring about Ronald’s death already
gone.

***

The next day Dante, Jasper, and Phelia
didn’t show for class. Phelia stayed away for the rest of the week, while the
two boys returned the following day. As expected, Dante ignored me. I refrained
from calling his name out, deciding not to push my luck.

And when rehearsals came round the week
after, he turned up with a sombre Phelia, something between them having
changed. I watched from the seats below as they practiced, Dante acting
affectionately towards her, touching her arm every so often, coaxing out a
smile from her. I wondered whether he was doing it to be supportive of her or
to make me jealous, because at times I caught him looking at me, probably wanting
to see my reaction. And to my shame, it did make me jealous. Immensely. But I
pushed it down, knowing it was selfish of me to think that way, especially
after Phelia’s boyfriend had been murdered. I’d found out that both Ronald and
his mother had been gunned down in a home invasion, the two of them getting in
the way of a robber. It was all over the news, the lead story both on TV and in
the newspapers. It drummed home to me just how dangerous this area was, that
anyone could die at any given moment. Whether they were a high school kid or a
middle-aged mother, no one was safe.

The following day, Phelia started sitting
in front of Dante and Jasper. Her friends shifted with her, the group coercing
the other students who’d been there to move. I didn’t make them shift back, although
I had to constantly tell the girls to stop talking.

A week later I walked into class, finding Phelia
sitting on Dante’s desk. Her legs were on either side of him, with her feet
hooked behind his chair, trapping him in. Jasper was twisted in his seat,
facing her, his large hand holding her much smaller one. But it was Dante she
was focused on, her eyes locked onto his beautiful face, totally entranced by
it, so much so that I wondered whether she even realised Jasper was holding her
hand.

She leaned towards Dante, looking like she
was going to kiss him. Jasper yanked at her hand, causing her to stop.

“Jasper!” she snapped, pulling free. “What
is wrong with you?”

He pointed a finger at her. “
You
. Don’t
try to kiss him again, you’re mine.”

“No, I’m no
t
—”

“You wanna bet.” He grabbed her head and
yanked it down, planting his lips against hers. She tried to jerk away, but
Jasper held on tight.

I went to yell at him to stop, but Dante
got in first. He smacked the back of Jasper’s head, barking, “Let her go!”

Jasper let go and whipped his head around
to Dante. “Don’t fuckin’ touch me. I told you—”

“And I told
you
not to touch her
unless she agrees, so back off!”

Jasper shoved out of his chair, sending it
crashing to the floor. Without a word, he grabbed his bag and stalked down the
aisle, leaving the class with a loud bang of the door.

Phelia slid down into Jasper’s seat, the
girl thanking Dante. But he wasn’t looking at her.

His eyes were locked onto me.

I dropped my gaze and headed around my
desk, calling out the roll. When I came to his name, I skipped it again, just
marking him as present.

28

DANTE

The police came to my house, not because
they suspected me of Happy Meal’s murder, but because I’d been attacked by a
‘burglar’ too. They thought the person who’d attacked me could be the same
person who’d broken into Happy Meal’s house. I continued with my bullshit
story, saying that I didn’t get a look at the guy’s face. They left me alone
after that, although I’d heard from a source that the Devil’s Crew thought
Happy Meal’s death was gang related. Their members were asking around about it,
a few Skins getting roughed up in the process. But nothing, other than minor
skirmishes, had come from it. Yet, it didn’t mean I had gotten off scot-free,
because I knew they weren’t going to stop until they’d found Happy Meal’s
killer. Not only that, every time I saw Phelia I was racked with guilt. Despite
her wanting me more than Happy Meal, she’d still cared for the prick, her grief
real. Grief caused by Jasper—in my name. And I did feel responsible. Although
I’d hated Happy Meal, I knew how much a loved one’s death affected the people
left behind. My mother’s passing had hurt for so long, still did, twisting my
insides every time I thought about her, and now Phelia was experiencing
something akin to that. It might not be as fierce. Losing someone you liked as
opposed to a loved one wasn’t in the same league, but she still cried, mourning
the loss of Happy Meal.

And right now, as we walked down the corridor
to rehearsal, she looked like she was close to tears again, her chocolate-brown
eyes glossy. She was probably thinking about Happy Meal, since it was the day
after a memorial service held in his name.

I grabbed her arm and pulled her over to the
wall just outside the hall. “If you need to skip the rehearsal I can walk you
home,” I offered.

She shook her head. “I don’t want you
losing your part cos of me.”

“I’m sure Mrs. Hatton will understand if
you needa go home.”

She smiled, her mournful look disappearing
in a second. “Okay. Go tell her. I’ll wait out here for you.”

I frowned, the sudden change in her behaviour
suspect. But instead of calling her out on it, I nodded and pushed through the
double doors.

As usual, Mrs. Hatton was sitting a few
rows away from the stage, minus Lindy, who was normally superglued to her side.
Up on stage, Jasper was rehearsing with Annabelle. As I headed down the aisle,
Mrs. Hatton looked over her shoulder, her face steeling into the blank
expression I was sure she’d patented just for me. It made me think she hated
seeing me, which hurt, but I continued forward, stopping next to her. I blanked
my own expression, mirroring hers, not wanting her to know how much she
affected me. She looked even more gorgeous today. Her honey-blonde hair was hanging
loose around her shoulders, framing her perfect face, while her silver-grey
eyes were reflecting her blue summer-dress, like the moon reflecting the ocean.
A pathetically soppy description, flowery shit not my thing, but it really did describe
her eyes.

She frowned. “What do you want, Dante?”

I tensed at her harsh tone, reinforcing
her newfound dislike for me. “Phelia’s upset over Ha ... Ronald’s death. Is it
all right we skip rehearsal so I can take her home?”

A loud thud came from the stage before she
could reply. I looked over, finding Jasper heading my way, my mate probably having
left an indent in the floor where he’d jumped down.

“I’m practically finished my rehearsal,”
he said. “So, I’ll take her.”

I shook my head, not liking how Jasper was
trying to force his way into Phelia’s life. He was becoming too aggressive; to
the point he was starting to scare her. “I promised I’d go with her.”

“Well, too bad, you have rehearsal.”

“With her.”

“Practice with Annabelle, she’s her
understudy.” He gave me a slap on the back as he headed for the doorway, a
warning to stay put rather than a friendly pat. Plus, he was still pissed off
with me for the slap I’d given him when he’d forcefully kissed Phelia.

I followed him. “Jasper, she’s not
interested in you, no matter how hard you push.”

He spun around, getting his face into
mine. “While lately you seem to be a bit
too
interested in her. Have you
changed your mind ’bout Phelia?”

“No. I just feel—” I stopped myself before
I could say guilty.

“You shouldn’t feel anything.” He leaned
close to my ear. “This is all on me,” he whispered into it, obviously knowing
what I was about to blurt out, “so stop acting like a twat and back off. I told
you I’ll look after her, while you can go fuck Mrs. Hatton.”

“Nuthin’ is happening between us.”

“Nor will there be anything happening
between you and Phelia. Got it?”

“Don’t do anything she doesn’t want.”

“I won’t.”

I frowned, not sure if I believed him.

“Don’t look at me like that,” he snapped.
“And the only way I’ll let you come with me and Phelia is if you soften her up
for me.”

“I’m not—” I stopped talking as Phelia
poked her head through the doorway. “Can we go, already?” she asked.

Jasper turned around. “I’m takin’ you
home.”

She shook her head. “No, Dante promised me
he would.”

“He said I can take you.”

Her panicked gaze shot to me. “Dante, you
promised.”

“We’ll both take you,” I said, not liking
the relief on her face. I didn’t think Jasper would force her, but with the way
he was acting of late, I knew he’d definitely coerce her into doing something
she didn’t want—like his auntie had done to me...
No
, that bitch had
forced
me. She might not have physically held me down, but her words had
chained me to my bed, getting the same results.

I glanced behind me. “Is that all right,
miss?” I said, now even more determined to go with them.

Mrs. Hatton nodded, again, giving me the
impression she didn’t give a shit either way.

I turned back around and headed for
Phelia, Jasper walking alongside me. We exited through the doorway. Phelia
instantly latched onto my arm as I entered the corridor, the smile on her face
not giving the impression of someone who was grieving. I wondered whether she
was playing me, using Happy Meal’s death to wheedle her way into my life.

I pulled free from her grip and took hold
of her shoulders, pushing her gently against the lockers. “What do you want
from me?” I asked, looking her in the eyes.

“What do you mean?” she answered, unable
to keep my gaze.

“You know.”

“To take me home.”

“Will your parents be there?”

“No, they’re at work.”

“So, what do you want from me?”

“Just to take me home.”

“And—”

She grimaced. “Why are you making this
hard, Dante?”

“Do you really want to go home cos you’re
upset over Happy Meal or cos you want in my pants?”

“Dante!”

“Cos if you do, go with Jasper. I’m not
interested in fucking you.”

She screwed up her face. “But why? You’ve
been so nice to me lately.”

“Cos you’re upset over Happy Meal’s death,”
Jasper cut in.

Phelia’s face twisted. “Is that the only
reason?”

“For him, but not me,” Jasper answered. “I
like you for you, so quit tryna get with Dante, he’ll never be interested in
you.”

Phelia started crying, making me feel like
shit.

I shot Jasper a glare. “You don’t hafta be
such a prick ’bout it.”

Jasper shrugged. “It’s true. You have no
interest in her, so fuck off. I’ll take her home.”

“No!” Phelia cried. “You’ll try to kiss me
again.”

“And what’s so wrong with my kisses?”
Jasper snapped.

“I want Dante, not you.”

“Well, he’s not interested,
I
am,
so you’re comin’ with me.” Jasper extended his hand to grab her.

Phelia latched onto me, wrapping her arms
around my waist. I went to pull away, but stopped as the double doors to the
hall opened. Mrs. Hatton stepped through them. She froze as her eyes fell on
Phelia, the chick hugging me tight. Mrs. Hatton dropped her gaze and scurried
off. Annabelle appeared a second later. Her eyes also fell on what Phelia was
doing, upset colouring her expression as well. She headed off after Mrs.
Hatton.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake!” Jasper snapped.
“Does every bitch want you?”

I unwrapped Phelia’s arms from around me.
“Not the ones I want.”

“Dante!” Phelia said. “I’ll do whatever
you like. I’ll be good for you.”

I looked over at Jasper, who was now staring
at the floor, anger and upset warring across his face. It hurt seeing him like
that. I knew he had a hard time getting with girls, his weight hindering him
greatly. I also knew it hurt him when chicks swarmed me, while ignoring him. I
breathed out, knowing I had to swallow my pride, as well as the bile now threatening
to come up, because my mate needed me, no matter whether what he wanted grossed
me out. Plus, if I managed to get Phelia to soften towards him, maybe she would
eventually drop her infatuation with me and move onto Jasper, because it was
getting
really
old.

I returned my attention to Phelia. “What
will it take for you to go out with Jasper?”

She jerked her head back. “Nuthin’.”

“You sure ’bout that?”

“Positive.”

“Even if I let you get with me?”

Her eyebrows pulled together. “What do you
mean by that?”

I glanced down the corridor, Mrs. Hatton
long gone. I wasn’t going to get her no matter how much I wanted to, but I
could at least help Jasper get the chick he wanted.

I refocused on Phelia. “If you wanna get
with me, the only way it’ll happen is if you let Jasper fuck you at the same
time.”

“A threesome?”

I nodded.

She glanced at Jasper, who was staring at
her with big puppy dog eyes, my mate begging her without even saying a word.

She looked back at me. “As long as you’re
in front of me the whole time
and
I can do whatever I like to you,” she
said more readily than I’d expected, her quick agreement taking me by surprise.
Maybe I was wrong to defend her the other day, because out of the three of us,
I was the only one who’d resisted the idea.

“Say yes,” Jasper said, pulling my
attention to him. His eyes were now full-on pleading, the desperation coming
off him in waves. “You won’t owe me for anything if you do this for me,” he
added. “If anything, I’ll owe you.”

I looked back at Phelia, who was also
staring at me with a pleading expression. “Okay,” I forced out, knowing I
needed a shitload of drugs to get through this.