Read Collateral Damage (From the Damage) for Free Online Page A

moving on and I’m still stuck. You know? It would be nice if I bounced back before he did.”
    “You did, remember? You put yourself out there with Gage.” Her speech slowed as she realized how that had turned out. “And besides, it isn’t a competition.”
    “I know.” Kelly reached out and took one of the chocolates as Meagan offered the tray up. “Maybe it’s just me. Maybe I’m undateable.”
    “That’s not true,” Meagan insisted, giving her a scolding look. “Either one of them would be lucky to have you. It’s not your fault they can’t see what’s right in front of their faces.”
    “The Alex thing…I can shrug it off. I’ve learned to be without him by now. Gage is the one who gets to me. I understand, given everything he’s been through, but I wish he would let me in. I just keep wondering what it would be like if he did.”
    “Maybe it’s just not the right time yet,” Meagan offered. Perking up, she added, “I know exactly what we both need.”
    “You do?” Kelly asked suspiciously.
    “A girl’s night. Complete with makeovers and chick flicks, maybe even some junk food.” Smiling, she tilted her head. “You in?”
    Kelly nodded and grinned. “That sounds perfect.”
    ***
    Ryder
    ***
    Carrying a bucket of water and basket of cleaning supplies, Ryder followed Principal Wood around to the side of the school. Behind them, Shane Rivers followed, dragging his feet with his hands stuffed in his pockets.
    “Thank you for volunteering to help us out on such a sunny Saturday,” the principal said with a smug smile.
    “Wait, this a volunteer thing?” Shane spoke up. “See ya.”
    “Not so fast, Mr. Rivers,” Wood said, grabbing Shane by the shirt as he tried to bail. “I was only joking. You’re stuck here until five o’clock.”
    Shane groaned, jerking out of the older man’s grasp.
    Stopping in front of some graffiti painted on the side of the school building, he said, “I trust neither of you know anything about this artwork.”
    Ryder shook his head. “They’re gang symbols is all I know.”
    Shane merely shrugged and leaned against the wall.
    Principal Wood sighed wearily. “Gangs. School shootings. What’s next? Back in my day, Southport used to be a sleepy little town. Now the whole place is going straight to hell.”
    “Let me guess,” Shane said around a sleepy yawn. “It’s all because of today’s misguided youth.”
    “Something like that,” he replied. “I want it all gone. If soap doesn’t work, get some paint from the janitor. Find me when you’re finished and we’ll find something else for you two to do.”
    He left the boys to their work, and Ryder dropped the bucket of water and cleaning supplies to the pavement. He grabbed a sponge, soaked it in some water, and started scrubbing. After a minute, he looked over at Shane.
    Still leaned against the wall, the slacker looked out across the courtyard. Ryder grabbed a sponge and tossed it to him.
    “Come on, man,” Shane groaned. “It’s your fault we’re even stuck in here on a Saturday.”
    “My fault?” Ryder scoffed. “You started the fight and you know it.”
    “You threw the first punch.” Shane started scrubbing at the symbol painted on the wall.
    “Doesn’t mean you didn’t start it.”
    “Right, I forgot. The Hero never does anything wrong.”
    “I’m no hero.” Scrubbing harder, he managed to make the paint fade a little. “I wish everyone would quit saying that.”
    After about a minute of work, Shane dropped the sponge to the pavement and sat down. “That paint ain’t going anywhere, man.”
    Still, he kept trying. What else was there to do?
    Shane reached into his pocket, pulled something out and lit it. After a second, the smell of pot grabbed Ryder’s attention and he turned a disbelieving glare to the guy.
    “Are you kidding me? You brought a joint to detention?” Ryder turned away. “You’re going to get us both expelled.”
    “What, you’re not doing it,” then