Whatever It Takes (Bad Reputation Duet #1)(56)

“Fuck you.”

Loren interjects, “It’s true.”

Ryke glowers at Lo. “I know how to use Facebook.”

“Facebook is stupid, man,” I say. “It’s like the ugly stepchild of Tumblr.” But right now, I’m not feeling great things about Tumblr either. It’s easier liking the internet when it isn’t cruel to you, and I’ve seen Willow and her family pressed underneath the weight of it. Like everything, I just think maybe there are good and bad parts of it.

Ryke wears a confused I don’t know what you’re talking about expression like I just spoke an intergalactic language. Loren laughs.

“Honestly,” I say, “did you stumble on it or something?”

“Or something,” Loren replies. Fuuuuck. That could only mean one thing.

I glare at the sky. “Daisy showed you?”

Ryke scowls. “Leave her fucking out of it.”

“Whatever,” I say into a big breath. “Look, it doesn’t matter. I don’t feel great about where I left things with Willow when she was in Philly.”

Loren drills me with one of his iconic glares, a hell of a lot sharper than Ryke’s. Which only confirms my suspicions.

“Great. She told you.” That we had sex.

“Yep,” Loren says.

Ryke adds, “And don’t you dare fucking yell at her about it. We’re her brothers.”

That hurts. “I’d never…I wouldn’t yell at Willow for anything…” I’m not that guy.

Ryke’s eyes soften.

Loren is still glaring.

“If you’re that fucking worried,” Ryke says, “there’s a solution right in front of your face.”

“What?” I ask.

“Visit Willow,” Ryke suggests. “Go to London. You don’t have to fucking move there. Just see her for a week or two weeks.”

Loren nods. “You’ll both feel better.”

They must not know that Willow and I have an agreement that I won’t visit her until next semester. I worry about being the needy boyfriend, the one that doesn’t give her space to succeed on her own. Anyway, she’ll be back in Philly for Winter Break, so if I fly out before then, I will, one-hundred-percent, seem like the overbearing one.

So the best I can say is something noncommittal. Because that’s how I feel right now.

“Yeah. Maybe.”





*



Ten minutes later, we’re headed towards the second maze, up on a steep hill. The entrance arch is decorated with flashing bulbs like a carnival. Creepy music that I recognize echoes. It’s American Horror Story themed. I’m not sure the others understand the references or if they’ve even seen season four, but excitement surges as we approach.

Suddenly, a rumble of chainsaws revs from the hill, and an abrupt wave of clowns rush towards us. But that’s not the immediate threat. I turn around to see a taller, thinner clown with makeup stretching from cheek-to-cheek, gripping a fake sword, and approaching Ryke.

It’s even faster than the chainsaws.

The clown screeches in Ryke’s ear.

Ryke whips around, without even thinking or pausing or assessing the situation, he slams a fist into the clown’s jaw.

Holy shit.

“Fuck,” Ryke curses, realizing what he just did. He raises his hands like he comes in peace. But, kid you not, the clown stumbles back and falls on his ass.

Note to self: do not get accidentally sucker punched by Ryke Meadows.

I take out my phone. This needs to be recorded.

For Willow. Not for anyone else. Definitely not for the internet.

Connor and Rose start nearing us, probably to do damage control, but the damage is seriously already done. There is a rule about touching the actors. Don’t.

A few clowns on the hill yell, “Security!” like their friend is dying on the cement. Another heavier-set clown charges Ryke for vengeance.

I’m near laughter.

I probably should be helping, but I consider my presence here helpful towards one person. Willow. She’s not going to miss this.

Lily clutches onto Loren’s back, and Connor increases his pace and sprints to Ryke.

Connor extends a hand to the heavier clown. “It was an accident,” he says in a calm business-tone. “My friend reacts before he thinks.”

The clown suddenly stops but his lip still curls, pissed at Ryke.

“The clowns look mad,” Lily whispers to Lo, but I’m close enough to hear. “Like real anger.”

Connor must hear, too, because he replies, “That’s generally the sentiment that appears after someone is punched.”

Ryke doesn’t hear, since he’s busy apologizing profusely. “I’m so fucking sorry.”

The bodyguards surround us, and they take over, trying to deescalate the situation with the clowns. Creating barriers between us and them. Bystanders have their phones out like me.

Loren spins around like he’s trying to count heads.

His eyes land on mine.

I nod. I’m here. I’m alive. Willow gets to see this. Tonight isn’t so bad. Rose even holds a can of pepper spray, aimed like she’s about to douse any clown that approaches her. Classic Rose. I make sure to get a video of that for Willow.