“I’m going to rip you apart with my bare hands,” the wizard yells.
Oh my God . . . this kid is cramping my style.
“You have to go,” she whispers. “This is not the time, Tris.”
Bang, bang, bang echoes through the solid door.
For fuck’s sake.
“That’s it.” I get up and storm to the door and open it in a rush. He falls in because he was leaning on it. “What are you doing, you psychopath?” I bark.
“Tristan,” Claire warns me.
“What are you doing in here?” Harry yells.
“Getting my keys.” I look around. “Nope, can’t find them. Not in here.” I march out and down the stairs, away from Claire.
That kid is a fucking cockblock.
I go down and snatch the overnight bag I’d brought in from my car and walk toward the bathroom.
The wizard steps in my way. “I’m warning you,” he sneers, “stay away from my mother.”
I glare at the self-righteous little shit in front of me. “I’ve got two words for you.” I hold up two fingers.
“What are they?”
I lean in real close. “Boarding. School.”
He narrows his eyes. “You’re going down, pretty boy.”
I grit my teeth. “Bring it.” I storm into the bathroom. I have no idea how to handle this little shit. I’m going to have to try to talk to Claire when I can get her on her own. There’s no point staying here with him carrying on like this. If I lose my shit with him, that’s it—I can kiss her goodbye for good.
Although, kissing Claire and her house of horrors goodbye would be the much smarter option right now. What the fuck am I even doing here?
I clench my hands together as I imagine myself wringing the little fucker’s neck. Finally I throw on some clothes and walk back out to find Claire in her dressing gown. She has the kettle boiling and is standing in the kitchen.
Calmness sweeps over me, and I smile. “What are you doing today?” I ask her.
“Mom stuff,” the wizard snaps from behind me.
“That’s enough, Harrison,” Claire snaps back.
Fuck this.
“I’m going to get going.” I sigh. This pit bull of a kid is chasing me out.
“Okay.” She forces a smile.
“Are you sure you can’t escape for a lunch date?” I whisper.
“We’re very busy today, Mom,” Harry interrupts.
I clench my jaw. I wasn’t joking—boarding school could be in this kid’s very near future.
She smirks. “Does it look like I can do lunch today, Tris?”
I stare at her deadpan. “Fine . . . I’ll see you later?”