Page 15 of Forever Relentless

“It will always be worth it. You’re my brother, and they should never be allowed to get away with this.”

We drove silently until we reached the turnoff for our street, but Mason tugged the wheel slightly, ignoring my cry of shock as I quickly checked behind me to ensure I wasn’t in danger of causing an accident as the car swerved across the road.

“Bruno’s.”

“I’m not taking you to a bar at this time in the morning.” I slapped his arm. “And don’t ever do that again, you crazy asshole.”

“Bruno’s, Briar. Or I’m just going to walk there.”

“You’re just going there in the hopes you’ll get into a fight.” I protested weakly.

“Only if I’m lucky.” He met my worried glance. “C’mon, sis, do me a favor and let’s not argue over something that will happen anyway.”

“I want it on the record that I do not support this behavior.”

“The record is noted.”

We drove to the bar, and when I pulled up outside, I tried to reason with him again. “Mason—”

“Love you.” He got out and was pulling the bar door open before the car door even clicked shut.

“I love you too, you absolute dickhead.” I sat there a little longer, thinking about whether I should go in and pull him out, which would be pointless, or head home and listen to my mom rant about how Tiffany caused all of it and how she always knew she’d ruin my brother’s life.

My phone rang.

“Tell me you’re coming back to get me so we can go back to Wrighton.”

Or there was option number three.

I closed my eyes for a brief moment. “I’m on my way.”

I refused to make eye contact with her aunt and uncle as Diana got into the car. She gave me one look, then I locked the doors, turned up the music, and we headed back to the school that had brought ruin to both members of our family.

As I pulled into a parking lot in Halston, the main town a good few miles from campus, I looked around to make sure the coast was clear.

“Be safe and keep in touch,” I warned my friend as she got out of the car. She’d take the bus to campus. We didn’t need people to know we knew each other.

“You too.”

I watched her walk away, then drove to campus, the familiar feeling of dread descending on me as I got closer.

I hated them.

All of them.

Their school was steeped in deceit and cover-ups, and I didn’t care what Savannah Cole said about her father; he was as guilty as his predecessor. And as for Coach Bobby Ray Sutherland? Well, he should be in jail for his crimes.

After numerous unanswered letters to the NCAA, nothing had ever come from their ‘investigations,’ and they were either in on it, which I doubted, or Wrighton U was just too good at covering up their fuckery.

Parking my car, I took a deep breath and got out, shouldering my backpack, pulling my hair over my face, and assuming the role of Briar Holmes.

I kind of liked the meek and mild version of me. She was . . . timid. I sniffed with derision as I walked across campus. She was nothing like me. I was not meek or mild, and I think the only time Mason had described me as ‘timid’ was when I refused to eat spicy hot wings.

I rounded the corner, looked both ways to make sure no one was coming, and then climbed the stairs to my apartment.

Noah Matthews was not supposed to be sitting outside my door.

Noah Matthews was not supposed to be looking smug as he got to his feet while mine refused to take one more step.