Crushing Read Online Free PDF Page B

sideways away from the fire. Holden shoved back, and Gage grabbed him by the shirt. All of a sudden I was pushed to the side as Dom grabbed them both by an arm.
    “Hey, man, chill out. He wasn’t hurting her. He was just playin’ around.” Dom was trying to pry them apart, when Gage turned, hauled off, and punched Dom in the mouth. That was it. Dom stumbled back, then took a full-out run at him and tackled him to the ground. They were rolling around on the ground trying to get punches in. All the boys at the party were immediately surrounding them, hooting and hollering.
    What in the world just happened? Why were Gage and Dom fighting? I needed to get someone to break it up, but I had gotten shoved to the back of the crowd. I was trying to push through to see, but there was nothing Southern boys liked better than a good brawl, and I was getting nowhere.
    Panic started to set in. I couldn’t see how bad it was. I couldn’t see anything. Holden and Dom against Gage didn’t seem fair. What if he got hurt? It would be my fault. My hands were shaking. I had to find a way to stop them.
    I turned to see if I could find the girls or any help at all and saw Jeremiah starting toward the crowd, looking pissed off. Not sure if this was better or worse. At least he could stop it.
    He pushed through the crowd with no trouble. How did he do that? I got through behind him. He pulled Gage off Dominic.
    “Walk it off.” He pushed him toward the edge of the crowd away from Dom. Gage hesitated. I couldn’t tell if he had been hurt. He looked like he wanted to continue, but I think he realized his fight wasn’t with Jeremiah.
    He glared at Holden, bounced his shoulder off him as he went by, then pushed through the crowd and disappeared into the dark.
    Jeremiah pulled Dominic up. He was furious. “What the hell is wrong with you two? My sister was right next to you. Someone could have ended up in the fire.” He shoved Dominic and Holden toward the street.
    “Let’s go.” With Jeremiah standing six foot three and built like a semitruck, neither of them were going to argue. “You.” He pointed at me as he walked by. “Get in the car.”
    Was he serious? Ugh. This is what I get for having a caveman for a brother. If this had been my dad or even Jackson I would have attempted to argue, but Jeremiah? No way. He wouldn’t argue back. He would just pick me up like a sack of potatoes, and that would be the end of it. Not being up for any more public humiliation tonight, I went along quietly.
    #
    Complete silence engulfed the car. Holden had passed out in the back, and Dom just sat staring out the window. My brother’s jaw was set. The level of testosterone in the car was a little overwhelming. I thought about what had just happened. Gage had obviously showed up ready for a fight, and the situation got out of hand. Why had he punched Dom like that? Boys are so strange. Some little thing happens and they are rolling around in the sand punching each other, but then something big happens and they do nothing. I don’t understand, and I guess I never will.
    Jeremiah dropped Dom and Holden off at their houses, and neither said much. Holden, because he was incapable—Dom had to help him into his house. And Dom, I’m sure, because he was angry.
    Once we were alone in the car, Jeremiah looked at me. “You know that was about you, right?” Great. “I saw the whole thing from the top of the dune.”
    “I don’t know why he did that. Holden was just being obnoxious. He wouldn’t let go of my arm. I’m sure Gage just thought I was getting hassled.”
    “Yeah, that’s why he punched Dom in the mouth.” The sarcasm in his voice was clear. “Trust me—that part didn’t have anything to do with Holden.”
    “Well, boys are dumb. That’s what I know.” I nodded. “No offense, even though I’m still mad at you about earlier.”
    His lip twitched, but he still looked annoyed. I didn’t usually include my brothers in that whole