Chapter 0496″I delt with it,” I say, straightening my shoulders, frowning at my brother and my cousin. They both look up at me. “As best as I could, I delt with it. I did what I had to do to stay in the school, keep my secret, and keep myself protected.”

They both stare at me for a long moment before Rafe nods, tacitly acknowledging that there wasn’t much else I could do – that my route, as much as he doesn’t like it, was probably the most effective one. Jackson tightens his arms around me slightly, lending me his warmth and support.

“Okay, fine,” Jesse sighs, raising a hand and brushing it once, roughly, over his sleepy eyes. “No sense in making any of us feel guilty for what’s passed. What do we do now?”

“We tell mom and dad,” Rafe says immediately. “Get him fired.”

“Don’t you think that’s hasty?” Jacks asks.

“No,” Rafe replies, snapping his head up to glare at him. “Are you seriously telling me that -”

“Slow down, Rafe,” Jacks snaps, frowning at my brother. “You’re jumping to conclusions because you’re pissed. Just…let me explain.”