This is Going to Hurt: Now a major BBC comedy-drama

“UN-FUCKIN-BELIEVABLE!” I grit out as Crew begins to untie me from the fucking pole. And yeah, I’m still butt-ass naked, so naturally Scar and Jagger have their backs to me while they crack jokes. “I can’t believe she left me here.”

“What can I say, my girl’s got some balls,” Scar says before a giggle sputters out of her mouth.

“I’m gonna need you to be more specific,” Jagger retorts. “Are we talking big balls, small balls, or Maddox-sized balls?”

All three of them burst out in laughter, including the jackass untying me.

I shake my head in a mixture of annoyance and humiliation. “Real funny, guys. Glad we can all be mature about this.”

“You’re right,” Scar says. “It was a little premature of us to make you the butt of our jokes.”

They all laugh again, and I’ve had enough. I pull back as hard as I can, slipping my fist out of the rope Crew was in the process of loosening. “I’ve got it from here.” I growl as I twist around and untie my other hand. “I’m glad I could make you all laugh today.” I straighten my back, feeling a little light-headed as I get to my feet. “Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to go find my fucking girlfriend.”

“Dude,” Crew says, and I pin him with a hard glare, “might wanna put some pants on first.”

Fuck. I sigh heavily as I go over to my pants and boxers and sweep them off the floor angrily. My eyes roll as I stomp one foot in, then the other. I glower in their direction the entire time, until I’m fully dressed. Then, I pay them no attention at all and head for the ladder.

“Whoa. Whoa. Whoa,” Crew sings. “Do you even know where the hell you’re going, or what’s been going on out there while you’ve been playing king of kink underground?”

I stop halfway up, the scowl on my face even more prominent. “I’m going to find my fucking girlfriend.”

Scar scoffs and heads to the ladder. “Not without me.”

“Not so fast, baby.” Jagger pulls her back. “We came and let him go like you asked, but you’re not getting yourself mixed up in this mess.”

“I’m doing this alone,” I say as I grab the ladder. “I appreciate your help, but Jagger is right, you guys need to stay out of this. All of you.” I’ve got no problems with Scar. In fact, she’s a good friend to Riley and she can be fun when it doesn’t involve me being tied up naked. But the last thing I want is anyone holding me back or chirping in my ear. I need to have a clear head so I can think strategically.

I continue up the ladder and just as my head pops out of the opening, Scar shouts, “There’s been another murder.”

I gulp, eyes wide in surprise as I stoop down. “Who?”

“Cade’s dad,” she says. “Hit-and-run on campus.”

“Damn.” My fingers graze my chin.

There’s only one person I can think of who would take out Cade’s dad, and that’s his deranged nephew, Lev.

“Any suspects?” I ask. None of these three know about Lev’s fucked-up history with his uncle, so I don’t bother sharing my suspicions.

“Honestly,” Crew says, “I don’t think anyone even cares. Pretty messed up, but everyone is so hell-bent on finding Riley that there hasn’t been much said about Austin Pemberley.”

That’s both good and bad news. Good for Lev because he’s likely out there living his best life, thinking he gets away with everything. Not that I should judge—after all, my friends think he killed Cade when I’m the guilty party there.

This is bad for Riley, though. I imagine the search has expanded for her and it won’t be long until she’s caught. I have to find her and I have to take her far away from this town—hell, maybe even this state. If it comes to it, I’d flee the damn country with her. We’ll live under assumed names and start a new life together. I’d do anything for her.

“All right then,” I grumble. “All the more reason for me to get the hell out of here and find Riley.”

“Please,” I hear Scar say as my feet leave the ladder, “we have to help.”

Keep her back, guys. She’ll only be in the way. 

I don’t say it. Instead, I bolt out the front door of the cabin as fast as I can before any of them can catch up to me. As I’m jogging down the trail, I pull out my phone and power it on.

My feet don’t stop moving while I bypass all the unread messages and missed call notifications. I tap my dad’s name and hold the phone to my ear.

It only rings twice before he picks up. “Maddox Crane, where the hell are you?” His tone is laced with anger. “I’ve been calling every fucking hour for the last twenty-four!”

“I’m fine, Dad. Thanks for asking.” My sarcasm is apparent and I hope he caught on to it.

“Obviously, or you wouldn’t be calling me. Now, where the hell is that Cross girl? I know you and your friends are hiding her, and the punishment of your involvement is already up for debate by The Elders. No son of mine will be banished as a member. You hear me?”

“Loud and clear, Dad. As for the Cross girl, I can honestly say I have no idea where she’s at. That’s not why I’m calling, though. I need your help.”

“You need my help?” He barks out a laugh. “I’ve been asking for your help since the school year started and all you’ve been doing is going against me, your assignment, and your role as a Guardian.”

“Yeah, Dad. I’m a fuckup. We all know it. Are you gonna help me or not?”

“Where are you?” he deadpans.

“Boulder Cove Academy.”

“Boulder Cove Academy?” he shouts. “What in God’s name are you doing there?”

“It’s a long story. But I need you to come pick me up and we need to have a nice, long chat on the way back. Meet me at the gate as soon as possible.” I end the call before he can ask any more questions. If he wants answers, he’ll come.