Chapter 40

“Well, look at you, standing up for yourself. I bet your drunk daddy would be real proud.” Zayd steps away from me before I can figure out how to react and tugs a pack of cigarettes from his pocket.

“At least my dad showed up,” I whisper, and as soon as the words leave my mouth, I regret them. It’s okay to defend myself, but I don’t ever want to make someone feel the way I did in junior high. Nobody deserves to feel that low. Zayd’s jaw clenches, and his nostrils flare, but then he smirks and lights up his cigarette with sharp, jerky motions.

“Nice one, Charity. Guess even girls like you can come up with a clever retort every now and then.” He smokes his cigarette and stares at me, still scowling. “If you’re done dicking around, we gotta go. I don’t like being late to Club shit.”

“I’m sorry about your dad,” I say instead, and he pauses, like I’ve just slapped him. Zayd turns away and kicks open the door to my dorm, stepping out into the hallway. I can only pray the