The Rebel of Raleigh High (Raleigh Rebels #1)(91)

Just…fucking…awesome.

I haven’t had a hangover in a long time. The effects of all the tequila I drank yesterday might have worn off by the time I sank into bed last night, but was I smart enough to chug a liter of water before I fell asleep? Nope. I was not. I’m so dehydrated, my tongue feels like sandpaper as I peel it from the roof of my mouth.

“I’m coming in, Sil,” my mother calls from the other side of my bedroom door.

“No! Mom, I’m not dre—”

She enters before I can complete the protest. She's fully dressed, way smarter than usual in a full suit and salmon pink silk shirt. Her hair's tied back into an intricate braid, and her makeup is on point. Generally, at this time of morning, she's still rushing around in her pajamas, trying to locate her keys, or a report, or one of her shoes.

She’s holding a tumbler in her hand with what looks like a raw egg inside it. She crosses my room, shoving the glass in my face, and says, “Down the hatch.”

“Thanks. I’m good.”

“Don’t be a baby. Just pinch your nose and swallow it in one. It’ll make you feel better.”

“Or make me hurl,” I counter.

“Either way, you’ll feel better.”

I take the glass, hoping she’ll leave, but she doesn’t. “Fine. Have it your way.” I nearly wretch when I force the raw egg down the back of my throat, gagging on the texture. She takes the glass from me, folding her arms across her chest.

“You’re only gonna get so many hall passes, y’know. Don’t think I’ve forgotten about the guy in the boxer shorts at the cabin.”

“You mean the guy who carried you inside, covered in mud and soaked from the rain, because you were having a nervous breakdown? I haven’t forgotten about him either. Dad wants him to come for dinner tonight.”

Mom’s expression falters. She came in here with the tough parent act, ready to try and reassert her position of power over me, but now she’s back to Worried Mom Keeping Secrets again. “That might not be a good idea,” she mutters.

“Tell me about it. Don’t worry. He won’t mention the fact that the two of you have met before.”

“Silver, this can’t go on. There has to be some sort of—”

I don’t want to hear it. Not from her. Not this morning. I hold a hand up, cutting her off. “Why are you dressed like that?”

“I have an interview at nine. I didn’t think it’d be appropriate to keep working at the firm after…”

You had an affair and slept with your boss? I glower at her, daring her to try and play it down. She clears her throat uncomfortably.

“Anyway, I gave my notice yesterday. I applied for an auditing position at the mayor’s office. If I get the position, it’ll be a big step up. Better all ’round. More money. More time off.” She smiles hopefully, rolling the empty glass between her hands—I think she’s waiting for me to say something positive.

“Well congrats, Mom. Failing upwards. Great job. I suppose I should be grateful Mayor Reid’s a woman, right? At least I won’t have to worry about you fucking her.”

The sound of the slap registers in my ears before I feel the sting of it against my cheek. Mom’s face is a picture of rage. Her expression quickly transforms into one of shock, though. She covers her mouth, taking a step away from my bed. “I’m sorry, Silver. Shit, I shouldn’t have done that.”

“No. You shouldn’t.”

“Let me grab some ice—”

“Why, so you can avoid having to explain the huge red welt on my face to Dad? Don’t bother. I’m gonna be late for school.” I storm into my bathroom, sliding the lock closed behind me, quickly turning the shower on. Mom calls my name through the door, but I don’t answer her. Standing in front of the bathroom mirror, I clasp my hand to my cheek, letting out a shuddering breath. There’s no stopping the tears. I sob silently, staring at myself in the mirror, my heart breaking in two as I try and figure out who I hate more this morning: My mom, for hitting me, or myself, for being such a spoiled little bitch.





“Thanks for dropping the car off again. And picking me up. And for listening to me rant,” I groan. Alex isn’t even slightly hungover—a fact that I’m incredibly jealous of, since I still feel like I’m going to throw my guts up any moment.

We're already at my locker, having made it successfully into school and through A.P. physics without encountering Kacey, Jake, or any of their minions. The bell's about to ring for second period any moment. “You're welcome,” Alex says, leaning against the locker next to mine as I rummage around for my English textbook. “And I'm happy to listen to you rant. Families are tough. Moms are tough.”

“You think I should go easier on her, don’t you?”

He thinks about this. “No. She betrayed you and Max too, when she cheated on your dad. She probably deserves a rough week or two. But you think you should go easier on her, don't you?”

How? How the hell can he read my mind like that? I shove my textbook into my bag, sighing heavily as I slam my locker door closed. “I really hurt her this morning. I saw it on her face. And I wanted to hurt her so fucking bad, but…”

“But she’s your mom, and you love her,” Alex finishes. “It’s okay to forgive her, y’know. The world won’t stop turning.”