The Bet (Book 1 in The Deception Series)

Chapter 8: horrific memories and losing

Garrett

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"She Likes Another Boy"- Oscar Lang

What the fuck?

I stare at Brennen, who had his arms all over Taylor. What is he doing?

I feel anger creep through me. He was getting in the way of my fucking bet. He's doing it on purpose, I know he is. So he wins and I don't. It was taking everything inside of me not to freak out and beat the shit out of him.

I had the biggest temper, I hate to admit it but I knew it was from my father. Growing up, I'd always get into fights at school and it never ended pretty.

I sit in the passenger seat of the car, my father sitting in the driver seat. My heart was racing, pounding against my chest. I was certain that he was able to hear it. I couldn't let him sense my fear, it'd give him more power than he already has. And I wasn't gonna let him get that.

"Suspended for a week? Are you fucking serious?" He shouts as he turns into our neighborhood.

I don't say anything. I just look down at my bruised up knuckles that I got from beating up a kid in my math class. He was talking shit about my friend and I wasn't here for it. So I gave him a piece of my mind.

"I can't believe I had to leave work early to pick up your sorry ass." He snaps as we pull up onto the driveway of the massive house.

He parks the car but I don't move. I was afraid to, because if I moved, he'd lose his shit. But I don't think any of that mattered.

"Look at me, dipshit!" He shouts.

I hold my breath as I finally look over at his angry face. I hated that I looked like him, it made me sick to my stomach. I didn't want to be anything like this man in front of me. But I was. And I hated myself for it.

"The fights at home weren't enough? You just had to go to school and start some there too!" He yells at the top of his lungs.

I felt my anger build up as his voice grew louder and louder, "Where do you think I learned it from?" I snap.

He looked at me and I knew I should've kept my mouth shut. But that wasn't who I was. I was him. I fought back.

"You wanna get smart with me, boy. Let me teach you something else!" He snaps before his fist meets my face and my head slams into the window.

I push back the memory of that day. I didn't want to let myself go back there again. It was dark and scary. I wanted to avoid it at all costs.

I looked at Brennen and Taylor before I walked up to them and tapped on Brennen's shoulder.

He lets go of Taylor and turns around to look at me, "I got Taylor's drink." I tell him.

Brennen smirks and nods as Taylor looks at him and smiles. I wanted to punch Brennen in the face. She never smiled at me like that. What did he do to deserve a smile like that?

Taylor finally looks at me and for some reason all my anger just disappears.

"Here, gorgeous." I say as I hand her the beer bottle.

"Thanks." She says as she takes it.

"Let's start already." Jake complains.

I gulp down half of my beer before we all begin to play. After about 3 beers, Brennen and Taylor are like best friends. I'm on my 4th beer right now and I'm about ready to beat the shit out of him.