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“Jesus Christ,” Rose muttered as she looked up and saw us

I ignored her I wasn’t there for her Not pausing, I made my way toward Lily

“Hey,” I said, searching her face I’d been so concerned with getting to her, I hadn’t planned on what I would actually say to her when I got there I stood there, duht mouth and terrified eyes

“You came,” she said, her voice flat

“Of course I did,” I said, reaching out to runout, and I—”

“I know it isn’t fair,” she said slowly “I know it isn’t your fault But I can’t deal with you right now”

I could’ve dealt with anger I could’ve handled vindictive words and spite I’d been braced and waiting for them The unemotional way she dis inside me to hide how badly it hurt

“You should go,” Rose said from her place beside Mack

I glanced toward her and saw Tommy’s unsympathetic look and Heather’s sy step backward

“You can’t deal with her right now?” Mark said, his voice low and scary

“Don’t,” I ers hard around his

“What exactly can’t you deal with?” he asked, ignoring me “Your sister’s concern for you? The fact that she showed up here, knowin’ how you’d treat her, and she came anyway?”

“Mark,” I hissed, staring at the ground, wishing it would s me

“Maybe you can’t deal with the fact that if she hadn’t used her body to shield your ht now?” he said, his voice still loith fury

“What?” Lily asked in confusion

“Oh, nobody told you that, huh?” Mark said nastily “Surprise, fuckin’ surprise Instead of runnin’ away, like a fuckin’ sane person would do—your sister ran into the ot shot in the back for it”

“Enough,” I ground out, pulling at Mark’s hand “Let’s just go”

“None of it would’ve even happened if she hadn’t co back to us for protection,” Rose pointed out, co forward

“Don’t get“You and your ame—”

“This is ued