Glass Heart Hero: A Dark High School Romance by Lindsey Iler (read with me .TXT) 📗

He checks his mirrors. I don’t need to look to know a line of photographers is chasing after us.

“Not really,” I finally answer, drawing my legs up tight to my chest.

Not concerned with where Breaker is taking me, I settle into the seat. He doesn’t ask me any questions. His eyes barely leave the windshield as he drives in and out of the streets in a weird, random pattern.

“I don’t think they’re following us,” he finally says, breaking the silence.

“How could he do this?” I whisper.

“Maybe there’s an explanation.” Breaker is always the optimist.

I don’t need an explanation for my father’s indiscretions. If it’s made it to the newspapers and online gossip blogs, my guess is that everything is true. The love child is no surprise. Hiding money and assets under my name is a whole different fuck you to our family.

“What kind of father treats his own flesh and blood so carelessly?” I shake my head, kicking at the dashboard.

Breaker doesn’t tell me to stop. Instead, he allows me to release my frustration on his car.

“My father used to beat my mother,” Breaker whispers.

“What?” My tone comes across as angry, but I correct myself, grabbing his hand. “Why didn’t you ever tell me?”

“It’s not something I like to announce to the world.” He shrugs, taking a left into the state park.

“For how long?” I forget my issues and give him my full attention.

“Until the day she died.” He stops the truck beside the river.

“He killed her?” I cover my mouth, afraid of the answer.

“No, but he might as well have.” Breaker unbuckles and leans against the door but refuses to look at me.

He toys with his rings, running his fingers over the edges of each one. He regrets telling me, not because he doesn’t trust me, but because his family isn’t something he likes to talk about.

“Adults aren’t capable of handling themselves in a way that doesn’t totally screw over the ones they’re supposed to love,” I acknowledge.

“It’s why I choose my family. The boys and Palmer, they’re my family. Always will be.”

“What about me?” I ask, selfishly.

“I think that depends on you, now, Delaney.”

There’s no way to respond to that. I don’t have the answer he’s looking for.

For the next hour, we sit, sometimes in silence. Despite those minutes of quiet between us, it’s not painful or forced. We can simply be. Breaker reaches across the middle console to grab my hand. I allow him to, because, for the first time today, I don’t feel alone. Every phone call and text message are ignored. They can wait until I’m done having time stand still.

When we return to campus, that feeling will leave. Reality will rear its ugly head, and it’s not something I’m ready to face.

“You ready to head to campus?” Breaker asks. “We may be able to make it for third period.”

“I think I might bail for the rest of the day.”

“If you hide away, that’ll give them permission to talk. You did nothing wrong. Make sure they know it.” Breaker winks at me as he drives away from the river’s peaceful serenade.

As we get closer to campus, I see no sign of photographers hoping to snatch a photo of Gary Chambers’ daughter. Maybe this won’t be so difficult after all.

Breaker parks in the student lot. I face him as I open the door. “Thank you, for whatever this is.”

“Don’t mention it.” He waves me off, trying to hide the bit of sadness in his eyes by fussing with his hair in the rearview mirror.

I’m about to slam the door when I realize I’d been on a mission to talk to Breaker before I’d found out about my father. Talk doesn’t even begin to describe the plans I’d had for him.

“You need to call off the gauntlet,” I command.

“How’d you find out about it?” He leans across the console, eyeing me with concern. It’s clear he’d thought he’d be able to get away with it until the last minute, giving me no choice but to go along with it.

“It doesn’t matter. It’s not happening, Breaker. You need to call it off.” I point my finger directly at him.

“Do I look like someone who can be bossed around?” His thumb runs the length of his bottom lip, drawing my eyes straight to the plump mound I know too well.

“What do you gain from this, huh?” I hike my bag over my shoulder, ignoring the way he makes me feel. “What exactly does this do for you?”

“Are you worried for me or about me, Delaney, because I’m getting a bit of a mixed bag from you right now?”

“Does it matter?” I huff.

“You want to know what I gain from this stupid gauntlet? I get the satisfaction of pissing you off, while bringing your little boyfriend down a peg or two.”

“He’s not my boyfriend.”

“Then be my girlfriend.”

“I can’t, and you know that.”

“No, what I know is that you’re entertaining this doofus because you feel some sort of pull towards him. He happened to be there when you felt lost and weak, but don’t pretend like I didn’t try. You made your choice when you ran away. I was here the whole damn time, Delaney.”

“Yes, you were here, with a whole Rolodex of memories that I’d soon rather forget.”

“Hate to break it to you, baby, but those memories aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. I can see the look in your eyes every time I close mine. I feel your tears soaking through my shirt while I sleep. Your screams, they’re a permanent soundtrack when it’s dark, so don’t act like you’re the only one who went through something. I was there. I saw it. I lived it, so don’t you dare disregard those who fought for you.”

“Breaker.” Heavy guilt settles into my heart. He’s right. I’m not being fair.

“Get off my truck, Delaney.” He flicks his hand in the air at me, dismissing me as if I’m no one. “Now.”

I step away from the truck. Breaker’s eyes catch mine before he