Bill continued. “You wanted to prove yourself—am I right? And I said watch Gabriel Merrick, and you—”

Hunter was out of his chair. “That’s exactly what I was doing!”

“What did you just say?” said Gabriel. A new feeling was coiling in his chest, something bitter and frightening.

But the room had fallen into a stricken silence.

Gabriel stared at Hunter. “That’s why you were following me that night.”

“Nice,” said Becca. She was glaring at Hunter, too. “So you misled everyone around you, huh?”

Hunter shook his head. “No, it’s not—it wasn’t—”

But Gabriel was already storming back down the hallway, heading for the front door.

Michael caught him, grabbing him by the arm and shoving him up against the door before he could open it. “You are not leaving.”

Gabriel struggled against him. “Let me go, goddamn it.”

“No.” Michael shook him, hard. “You’re not leaving. Do you understand me? I will tie you up if I have to.”

Gabriel stared into his brother’s eyes, seeing the same exhaustion and fury he knew were reflected in his own.

He wanted to fight, but he was just too tired.

“Fine,” he said. “I’ll go to my room.”

Michael let him go.

And Gabriel walked up the stairs.

Alone.

CHAPTER 38

CHAPTER 38

Gabriel had thought people were talking about him when he couldn’t try out for basketball.

That had nothing on walking through school the Monday morning following an arrest.

People actually went silent when he passed. Kids he didn’t even know were staring at him.

“You want me to walk with you to first period?” said Nick.

“I’m not four,” said Gabriel. He slammed books into his locker, pulling out the ones he needed for morning classes.

Like it mattered. Like he’d be able to concentrate.

He hadn’t wanted to come to school, but he’d needed to get the hell out of the house. Michael had practically boarded his bedroom door shut. Trying to escape for a run had turned into a grand inquisition.

Probably for the best, really. He couldn’t run without thinking of Layne, of the last time he’d tackled the four-mile trek to the horse farm.

How he’d saved her life.

How he had no idea if she was okay.

Nick was still standing there, watching him—the same way he’d been watching him since he’d gotten home from the hospital.

“Go,” said Gabriel. “You’ll be late, and I know you hate that.”

His twin didn’t move. Gabriel yanked the zipper closed on his backpack. “Go, Nicky. I’ll be on my best behavior. I promise. I even did all my homework.”