always loved you

chapter nine

k i e r a n

As I stride across the parking lot towards Marcus, anger boils within me, turning my blood to fire. His smug grin only ignites the flames further, fueling my fury with every step I take. He has lied to me, and his truth cannot be greater than my own. I know he has bad intentions for Tailor.

"Hey Marcus," I call out, my voice sharp with accusation. "Lemme talk to you for a second."

He turns to face me, his demeanor casual, but I can see the tension lurking beneath the surface. "Yeah, sure dude, what's up?"

I waste no time mincing words. "What's going on between you and my girl?"

Marcus's confusion is as transparent as glass, but I refuse to be swayed by his feigned innocence. "Your girl – Priscilla?" he stammers, his tone dripping with false innocence. "Nothing's goin on between us. Why, did she say something?"

I scoff, my patience wearing thin. "No dipshit, Tailor. What the hell is going on between you and Tailor? I thought I told you to stay the hell away from her."

His facade cracks, revealing the scheming liar beneath. "We just got to talking during the trip," he offers, his words dripping with deceit.

I advance on him, my fists clenched at my sides. "Talking? Is that what you call it? I know your game, Marcus. Don't play dumb with me."

He refuses to back down, his arrogance shining through. "You're just jealous, Kieran. You had your chance with her, but you blew it."

My temper flares, a white-hot rage consuming me from within. "Jealous? You think I'm jealous?" I snarl, my voice laced with venom. "You're delusional, Marcus. Tailor deserves better than a lying snake like you."

Marcus sneers, his facade slipping further with each passing second. "Oh please, Kieran. You think you're so high and mighty, but we both know the truth. You couldn't keep her satisfied if your life depended on it."

The words hit me like a physical blow, igniting a blaze of fury within me. Before I can stop myself, I lunge at him, my hands curling into fists as I prepare to unleash my pent-up rage.

But Marcus merely laughs, his mocking tone ringing in my ears. "What's the matter, Kieran? Can't handle the truth, Mister Bad Boy?"

I grit my teeth, struggling to rein in the overwhelming urge to pummel him into submission. "You're not worth it, Marcus," I growl, my voice low and dangerous. "But mark my words, if you so much as lay a finger on Tailor, you'll regret it."

He continues to taunt me. "Dude, let it go. She wants me now."

It is taking every single muscle in my body to not rip his fucking throat out right now.

"You're missing out. She's grown into that hot body of hers."

I grab his shirt collar and slam his body against his car. Our pact of no girl coming between us flashes in my head, but it doesn't matter now. "What did you do?"

"Oh, watch out!" Marcus taunts me again. "Mr. Bad Boy is angry again!"

"Shut up or I'll let Tailor see you for who you truly are." The grip on his shirt is growing tighter where I can almost hear the fabric slowly tearing. "You have skeletons in the closet too."

He snickers, pausing for a minute to try and catch his breath. "Let's make a bet."

"Not interested." I push him again. "I'm not falling for that shit."

"You don't even know what I'm going to say!"

"I don't have to know that it's probably twisted as fuck." I reply.

Marcus chuckles. "The old Kieran would have listened."

"Well, I'm not that kid anymore." I argue.

His eyes flicker down to my hands on his shirt and then back to my hateful gaze. "Are you sure about that?"

With heavy hesitation, I drop him. My knuckles have turned red, and my fingers have dug a print into my palms. "What're you trying to say?"

He straightens himself up. "You love her, but she doesn't. I want her, and she wants me."

"Get to the point before I run you over with my car." I bark.

"She's a virgin, right?" His question burns into my mind.

"Why does that matter?" It's none of his business.

"Whoever fucks her first gets to date her."

His choice of words makes me sick. "What the fuck, Marcus?"

"Do you forfeit? I know you better than to back out on a bet, Kieran." He crosses his arms.

"You are putting the life of my girl at stake all because you're a horny bastard? I'll pass." I think about what to say before interrupting him. "If what you say about her wanting you is true, then you're an asshole. You are who she trusts and is going to for confidence and you're going to turn it into a fucking game for your pleasure?"

"Who cares? This is high school." Marcus fights.

"No, this is Tailor fucking Holliday you're hurting, and nobody hurts my girl." I argue back.

"Yet, you keep doing it." Marcus finishes. "Who is the asshole now, Kieran?"

I look behind me, noticing how much of a crowd we've attracted, and then glare back at Marcus. I point at him and growl, "Touch her and I fucking kill you." I release my hands, thankful that I didn't have to break his bones and make him bleed in front of everyone, but in my mind, the bastard is already dead.

With that, I turn on my heel and stalk away, leaving Marcus standing there, his smug grin wiped clean from his face. Anger pulses within me like a living thing, driving me forward with a newfound sense of purpose. Marcus may have won this round, but I refuse to let him win the war.