Read Online Savage by Thomas E. Sniegoski - Free Book Online Page B

raced through her mind, and she was tempted to go back inside and really let him have it, but something held her back.
    Was he right?
    Sure, she had loved Cody as much as any fifteen-year-old high school girl was capable of loving somebody, but that love had changed as she’d gotten older and began to realize that the world was a much bigger place than Benediction Island. Was it sad that their love had lessened? Sure it was, but it didn’t mean that what they’d shared had been a lie. They’d loved each other once and that was great, but now . . .
    She reached up with a trembling hand to wipe away the scalding tears that were running down her cheeks. Snowy was watching her with curious eyes.
    â€œI’m all right, girl,” she lied to the dog. “Let’s go back to the Jeep.”
    She had just started to jog with Snowy by her side when she heard the car horn. A red Honda Accord was coming down the drive, and she watched as it pulled into a parking spot not far from where she’d left her Jeep.
    Rich Stanmore climbed from the car, pulling the collar up on his jacket as he approached.
    â€œHey,” he said. “Did you talk to Cody?”
    â€œNo,” Sidney started, just as Cody’s blue pickup truck pulled up in front of the marina’s office. Could things get any worse?
    â€œHey, there he is,” Rich said cheerfully.
    The door to the pickup swung open, and Cody climbed out, holding a large white bag.
    â€œHey, bro!” Rich called out, waving.
    â€œDon’t,” Sidney warned, already getting a sense that things were about to become very bad.
    Cody started toward them, his pace quickening the closer he came. When he dropped the lunch bag onto the wet parking lot ground, she realized that her biggest fears were about to come true.
    Cody had never liked Rich or her friendship with him. It had always been a sore spot in their relationship. He had even accused her of breaking up with him to date Rich. Having Rich here now was a recipe for disaster.
    â€œI asked Sidney to talk to you, but since I’m here—”
    Before Rich could finish, Cody lunged at him with a curse-laced growl, grabbing him by the front of his coat and pushing him back onto the hood of his car.
    â€œDude!” Rich yelled in surprise.
    â€œCody, no!” Sidney cried, trying to pull her ex from atop her friend, as Snowy barked frantically.
    â€œI knew it!” Cody lifted Rich up and slammed him down onto the hood again.
    â€œWhat the hell are you . . .” Rich asked, still trying to figure out why he was being attacked.
    Sidney grabbed at Cody’s hands.
    â€œThat’s enough, Cody,” she said firmly.
    â€œI can’t believe you two,” he said, lost in his anger. “Coming here to rub my face in it.”
    â€œIt’s not what you think,” Sidney said, and she managed to rip one of his hands from Rich’s jacket, slapping it away as Cody attempted to grab it again.
    â€œIt’s not what you think!” She screamed this time, thinking maybe the louder she said it, the better chance it might have of sinking in.
    He batted her hand away and she shrieked. It hurt like hell, and for a second she was afraid of him, afraid of the boy she used to love.
    It was her scream that took things in another direction. Cody stopped for a second, concern appearing on his face, giving Rich a chance to collect himself.
    Pushing off from the hood of his car, Rich punched Cody in the jaw, sending him stumbling to the right. Snowy was going wild, barking and growling crazily, trying to involve herself in the violence, wanting it to stop. Sidney grabbed the dog by the collar, pulling her away from the fight. Rich didn’t let up, following through with another punch before Cody could recover.
    â€œWhat is wrong with you?” he shouted, hitting Cody again. “I didn’t do shit to you!”
    Cody blocked Rich’s next