Sneak Peak #2
“Tell her about his reaction to the trial verdict,” Lily snaps from the wall behind them.
The twins nod in unison.
“Peter didn’t even blink when he heard the results of the trial,” Bo says bitterly.
Rafie’s upper lip pulls back into a snarl. “How can he accept the fact that you’ll be taking the fall for everything? You get sentenced to twenty-five years to life without the possibility of parole, and he seemed completely unfazed.”
The twins scowl so deeply that it’s like they’re the ones affected by the outcome.
I suppose they are. Their leader betrayed them just as he had me.
Peter left all the Lost Boys to fend for themselves when he should’ve been leading the charge out of there.
The ruler, the king of the Lost Boys, scurried away like a rat.
In my chest, my heart feels like it’s tearing in two.
I thought I meant more to Peter than this.
From foster siblings to best friends—we’ve been through so much with one another.
We suffered together, we’ve laughed together, and we’ve created a family together.
To me, those shared moments are something I cherish.
But maybe… maybe they don’t mean anything to Peter?
Maybe I don’t mean anything to Peter. Given that he’s thrown me away like I’m trash, I’m inclined to believe that, as painful as it is.
My throat threatens to squeeze closed. It takes a few deep breaths to force it to relax.
How did I, Isabel Foster, get the short end of the stick in all of this?
“So what you meant to say earlier,” I start slowly, as pieces begin to fall into place. “Is that Peter isn’t coming, ever.”
“On his way out last night, Peter told us all that he was sure that you have something figured out,” Rafie says grimly. “That you don’t need him. I think he believes you’ll be home soon, somehow.”
Bo leans forward, his scowl lessening as a frown pulls at his mouth. “You do have a plan, right?”
“Tink always has a plan,” Lily mouths.
All three of them look at me anxiously, waiting for me to confirm.
My fingers drum on the smooth surface once as my reality settles over me.
Peter let me take the fall—somehow I went from his best friend to his patsy. He’s willing to let me rot away behind bars for the rest of my days.
All I ever wanted was to be enough for Peter.
I stupidly thought that one day he’d realize everything he ever wanted had always been right there by his side.
That the hole in his heart was just a piece of a puzzle he hadn’t realized he’s had in his pocket this whole time.
I tried to make Peter see it through my actions.
I’ve done everything he’s ever needed and wanted of me.
Sure, I might’ve given him a little lip here and there, but hey—an attitude comes with the territory if you hang around me. Still, I’ve been loyal and steadfast.
Peter is practically a god, running the most infamous gang on the Isle of Neverland, all because I made it so. I’ve dedicated my life to his happiness because he was all I needed to be happy.
At least, I thought he was all I needed…
Peter’s free as a fucking bird right now, all while I sit here doing his job, taking the rap for his dreams and crimes. I may not be innocent, but I’m sure as fuck not the only guilty party.
This betrayal is the final straw.
A whirlwind of fury, molten hot and unbridled, barrels through my veins.
I deserve better. I can’t—I won’t do this anymore. Peter will never be satisfied, no matter what I do or how much I sacrifice. To him, I’m just a pawn on his chess board. I’ll never be enough for the man I’ve loved my entire life.
My teeth gnash together as the reality of his manipulation hits home. Inside, I feel myself beginning to crack and crumble. My heart shudders before it shatters, the sharp pieces slicing up my insides as they fall.
Fuck Peter.
Fuck the life I built with him.
And fuck the Isle of Neverland. This island just off the coast of New York City—riddled with violence, stained with blood, cursed with corruption and forgotten by the rest of the world—has been my home for as long as I can remember. But lately it’s been feeling like a cage.
Is this why? Has there been a part of me, deep down, that’s begun to realize I will never be enough for the leader of the Lost Boys? Has there been something inside of me that’s been screaming for more? Have I been allowing Peter’s dreams to drown out that little voice inside my head?
Maybe…
God, how sad is it that I’m just now realizing how pathetically engrossed I’ve been with a man who cares about me only when he needs something? I’ve been slowly dying on the inside as I tried to be content in a life where I’m not quite good enough.
I’m done feeling this way. I’m done catering to another.
The sound of my palm hitting the surface in front of me causes all other conversations happening around me to cease. Rafie and Bo freeze, well versed in my tantrums.
“Tink…?” Rafie calls out, his brows pulling together with concern.
“Peter’s right,” I tell them curtly, even forcing a smile, though it feels an awful lot like a toothy snarl. “I don’t need his help getting out of here.”
The twins look only slightly relieved. They watch me carefully while waiting for their orders.
I take a deep breath. I wasn’t lying, I do have a plan to get myself out of here before I’m shipped off to Mainland, where the law thinks I’ll be serving my time.
Still, I hesitate. Staring back into the eyes of the three most loyal members of the Lost Boys, I realize that to implement my plan means I’ll be forced to say good-bye to them.
Lily.
Rafael.
Beaumont.
My family. We grew up together on the streets after Peter whisked me away from the foster home the two of us resided in.
The five of us were the start of the Lost Boys.
I’ve never been without them. Yet, I’ve got to leave them behind to start fresh somewhere else.
I need to leave the Isle of Neverland altogether.
Maybe this will be a good thing. Peter’s going to have to step up and be there for the people that look up to him. He’ll have to be the leader he claims he is.
God, I hope this decision won’t hurt my family too much.
Setting my shoulders, I lean forward. They lean in too, as if that would help them hear any better through the partition.
“It’s time to break me out of here, Boys. You ready to do what needs to be done?”
They nod in unison.
“Tell us what you need from us,” Rafie says as Lily pushes off the wall and hurries over to hear the plan. She squeezes between the two of them and I stare at the three people I love with my whole heart.
“Whatever you need, we’ll make it happen,” Lily says just loud enough for the phone to catch.
Bo lifts a hand and presses his palm against the glass. I do the same, placing my palm against his. He grins. It’s dark and twisted, just like that little light glinting in his eyes. “Let’s get you the hell out of here.”
I smile, eager to get the ball rolling.
It falters, though, as I consider one more person in this equation.
The man whose face appears in my mind’s eye shouldn’t even be a passing thought and yet…
He is. The thing between us is as reckless and dangerous as it is exhilarating.
This impractical, absurd, and deliciously forbidden dance the two of us share is a thrill that I seek out in spite and, if I’m being completely honest with myself, for a brief moment of stillness.
He provides a peace I’ve never experienced with anyone or doing anything else.
Despite how horrifically perilous it could’ve been if either of our family members had seen him, that man risked it all to come visit me here in jail.
It was just once. The conversation was brief but intense.
He came solely with the intent to make sure that I knew, if I needed it, he’d be here to help me—no questions asked.
Then, with that promise lingering between us, he stood up and left.
The risk he took to simply see me, despite the danger it posed to him—and me—made my heart sing.
It’s here, in this moment, that I realize that my mortal enemy cares, and is willing to risk, more for me than my lifelong friend does and would. My heart cracks, and a new wave of pain washes over me.
The nausea and regret that chases the pain of heartache tells me something else. Maybe my heart never truly belonged solely to Peter. Maybe I had saved a piece of it to give to one other person.
I suck in a deep breath and push away the pain and regret. None of this matters. Not the heartache or loss. Just like with Peter, we were never meant to be.
Leaning toward the glass, I lower my voice and say, “Alright, Lost Boys, listen closely…”