His stare is wicked, smoldering with misguided hatred. But now, I’m filled with hatred of my own.
“Tell you what,” I seethe, feeling my teeth grit as I speak. “If you can somehow find that short dick of yours, we’ll see where things go from there, asshole.”
He’s practically panting in my face, fury burning in his eyes.
“You’d love that wouldn’t you?” he bites back, leaning in even more, until his lips graze the rim of my ear. “But fair warning: the only thing short about me is my fuse. Test me if you want to.”
My breath quivers and I know he feels it, which I hate. I’m not afraid of him, but I’m afraid for me. The semester has yet to begin and I cannot start the year proving them all right, proving that where I come from automatically means I’m trouble.
I’d seen the pull West has here, the reverence everyone who passed us held for him. What if that power extends further than just the students, to the staff?
I’ve seen enough of the world to know how these things work. These kids’ family’s checks are the foundation on which these schools are built. The rich, the powerful, they defend their own. It’d be his word against mine and I couldn’t take that risk.
“Thaaaat’s right. Settle down like a good little bitch,” he growls against my neck. His deep timbre is low and even, calm, because he knows he has me right where he wants me.
“I’m not breaking for you,” I choke out. “I’ll never break for you. You have my word on that.”
This brings a dark laugh out of him and his weight presses into me more completely now, until I feel all of him.
“Never say never. We’ve got a whole year ahead of us. Anything could happen.”
He’s right and I know I’m outnumbered here, but it’s not in me to give in. My pride is the last thing I have left that’s worth anything.
I feel his long, hot fingers slink around my throat. Then, just as they tighten over my racing pulse, he lets go.
“See you around, Southside.” A deceivingly sweet smile tugs at his lips as he backs away, adding a sinisterly spoken, “…Welcome to Cypress Prep.”
@QweenPandora: Rumor Confirmed. Cypress Prep has a new blonde bombshell on campus. NewGirl was first spotted several months ago at the Bellvue Bonfire. According to my sources, she was seen again today, sporting a Cypress Prep school ID. The speculation doesn’t end there. She was also seen being escorted by the Golden Trio and one brother seemed particularly smitten. Could this finally be the year the king settles down? Let’s not get our hopes up too soon.
Later, Peeps.
—P
Chapter 6
BLUE
Turning the radio up does nothing to clear my head, and I’m certain Ms. Levinson would agree. She’s been watching me shoot around from her patio, and while I don’t look to confirm she’s scowling about the loud music, I don’t need to. She is.
Normally, I’d be a bit more considerate, but I’m still fuming. Just as much as when I stood face-to-face with that bastard. All three of those bastards, actually.
It’s unbelievable that people like that exist in the world.
The ball rolls off my fingertips and ricochets off the rim. West has even messed with my shot.
Another reason to hate that dick.
“Damn, Blue. Your finger still busted or something? That was ugly.”
Without turning, I know that voice. When I sigh, it draws a laugh out of him.
“What … do you want, Ruiz?”
“You only call me that when you’re mad, but that’s not possible. I haven’t had the chance to piss you off, seeing as how you’ve been dodging me for months.”
I shoot again and … miss again, mumbling a few choice words under my breath.
“You clearly didn’t get the hint,” I say aloud, dribbling the ball between my legs. The weeds sprouting through the cracks in the cement make this more challenging than it has to be, but I’ve got a good grip. Hopefully, I’ll find my rhythm soon.
“Well, what if I told you I come bearing gifts? Would that change your mind?”
Curious, I almost turn. “Depends on what it is.”
I should’ve just told him to kick rocks, but I’m not myself today for obvious reasons.
“Told my aunt I was stopping by today to talk, and that I needed to soften you up first. So, she made you these.”
Ugh … he knows his aunt Carla’s food is my weakness. Back when we were kids, she used to make all my birthday cakes, because Ricky never forgot when it rolled around.
Deciding to grant his request, I turn to face him, immediately regretting it. One look and I’m reminded why I’ve kept him away.
Out of sight, out of mind.
I’m also reminded why I let him into the house that night a little over a year ago. He’d stopped by to see Hunter, but I was the only one home. It wasn’t unheard of for him to stick around to keep me company, so I still let him in. However, at some point in our otherwise innocent friendship, things between us got … weird.
The brief sibling-like hugs we shared on occasion since elementary school started lasting a little longer. Then there was the ‘accidental’ kiss when I was fourteen and he was sixteen. Then, the other accidental kiss two years later. The next thing I knew, my v-card was in Ricky’s pocket, and after the first time, it happened with him a lot of times.
Like … a lot of times.
Yep, definitely shouldn’t have turned around.
He’s every bit as attractive as when I first started avoiding him. The shadow of his dark, buzzed hair is freshly lined up, and he’s rocking a low goatee now. It suits him, which makes me uncomfortable to acknowledge.
A fitted tee and dark jeans look as new as the crisp-white sneakers on
