Tryst Six Venom by Penelope Douglas

I sit down on the couch and prop my elbows on my knees as I lean over
my bowl on the coffee table. “And I didn’t let them get away with anything.”
I look up at Macon. “I took away their entertainment. I won.”
“That’s not how they see it.”
He steps into the living room, approaching me, and I look away, scooping
up some chili. So this is about his pride. Got it.
“We’re not letting it go this time,” Dallas tells me.
“And you’re going back to school,” Macon adds.
“Not likely.” I blow on my food.
Macon advances, tossing his phone to a chair on my right, but Trace
inches in. “Just leave her alone.”
“You shut up,” Macon growls.
I put the spoon into my mouth, ignoring the fire in my brothers’ eyes.
Except Trace’s, because he always takes my side, and Iron’s, because he
doesn’t ever get mad at me.
Army picks up Macon’s phone again, studying the screen. “Is this that
assistant coach?” he asks, peering over at me.
I eat another bite, everyone’s eyes and ears trained on me, and I’m so
damn tired of putting out fires that I didn’t start. Damn her.
“Is it?” Macon asks when I don’t answer.
I shake my head, smashing the beans as I mix up the chili and crackers.
“Don’t.”
“Livvy…”
“Just let me be!” I shout, glaring up at them. Jesus! This doesn’t have to
be a family-fucking-meeting, Macon. I shoot daggers at him, tired of
everyone on my back. Even at home, I’m not safe.
They have no idea what it’s been like for me. What every day is like for
me in this town. I made a decision. Just support me. Please!
Macon blinks, hesitating. The last time I’d yelled at him I was ten, in
tears, and thrashing. He’d hugged me until I couldn’t hurt myself anymore.
When he speaks, his tone is gentler. “You are the only one ever getting
out of here,” he tells me. “Don’t you think I’ve always known that? You have
three months left. If you let them win now, it will follow you forever.”
I scoop up more chili. “Clay Collins won’t feel like she’s won anything
six months from now.”
“Clay Collins,” he says. “That’s who did this.”
He holds up his phone, smart enough to know someone had to take the