“You think I’m scared of your street rat brothers?” Steve sneered.
“You looked pretty fucking scared when you were running, screaming from Kyle at Charlie’s party.” Matt cut in, making me smile a little as I thought of Steve running for his life when Kyle had said he was going to kill him.
“Whatever, Garcia. You were laid out like a bitch, so you don’t know shit!” Steve spat, clearly annoyed to be called out.
“Don’t fucking start something you aren’t man anough to finish, Ellis. You haven’t got your posse to back you anymore.” Cole growled. Grant had succeeded in having all six of the guys who jumped on Matt and Cole, expelled, so Steve Eliis was now completely on his own if he tried to start something, and I knew either of my guys would pummel him pretty quickly. Steve may be a big guy, but he was untrained and sloppy. I’d seen it firsthand when I leapt at him the night of the party. My guys were lethal.
Clearly worried by the threat, Steve looked around Cole to me. I knew he was looking for an easier target, and that would be me. Oh goody!
“I didn’t realise your line of work paid well enough to get you a place here, sugar. Must be a fucking good lay, to be earning this kind of money.” He leered at my body as he spat his words, and I fought hard to sit up straight and not cower before him. No way I was letting him think he could scare me.
“Shut your fucking mouth right now, before I shut it for you!” Matt raged, as he jumped to his feet and stepped right up into Steve’s face. They were close in height, Matt just an inch or so shorter, but looking seriously deadly in that moment. There was no doubt he could put a serious hurt on the mouthy asshole before him in a matter of seconds if it came to it.
“I see how it is, she’s whoring herself out to your trailer park family in return for school fees. Makes sense, not like anyone would touch any of you scumbags without payment.” Steve laughed, and I knew if I didn't move, this was going to end badly, for Steve, physically, and with the guys getting in trouble. The cafeteria had gone very quiet, everyone watching the exchange and waiting for some excitement to break out.
As Cole and Matt both clenched their fists and moved to lunge forward I leapt up and grabbed them both at the shoulder from behind.
“Don’t!” I yelled. “He’s not worth it. Do not lower yourself to his level.” I said firmly. They stopped, but didn’t turn away from where they crowded Steve. I looked between them to the asshole. It was clear he was looking for a fight, and I knew the best thing we could do was just walk away.
“We should go.” I told the guys and was relieved when they both relaxed under my grip a little.
“Stay the fuck away from us, and from Olivia, or next time, we’ll finish what you started here today.” Matt hissed in Steve’s face, then he and Cole turned and walked back to the table.
I still stood opposite Steve, far enough away to feel safe. He was looking at me with hatred, everyone around us still watching.
“Watch your back, whore. They won’t always be around.” He hissed, his eyes filled with hatred, It scared me, knowing he was seriously out for my blood, but I kept my face calm and my back straight as I looked him dead in the eye.
“Just try it dickwad, and see how far you get.” Yes, I had been picking some very colourful language up from the guys, but it was warranted here. I needed to look tough, not a person to be trifled with. “You were the one left bleeding last time you came at me and you know it.” I didn't mention I was bruised to hell and was only saved by Kyle at the end, but that was semantics. I’d been training every day since then with Kyle, and I was stronger. I doubted Steve would ever get me on his own to try, but if he did, I’d fight like hell to protect myself. The look that crossed his face told me he knew it too. He wasn’t scared, but I think he realised I wasn’t the easy target he first thought. I’d take it.
Without waiting for his reply, or any more poison from his mouth I turned to the table and grabbed the untouched granola bar and my backpack. The guys were waiting, watching the exchange that I just had with what I was sure was pride. It made me feel good, and I was smiling as I slid under Cole’s arm and let them both usher me out, and toward my next class, feeling pretty damned pleased with myself.
Cole had biology with me next, so we left Matt at the staircase and headed up. We walked into a classroom with tall tables and Cole led me to a seat near the back. The class was still quiet, only a few students sat chatting to each other in the opposite back corner.
“That was so badass, Brains. I’m so fucking proud of you for standing up for yourself like you just did.” Cole whispered once we were sitting down. He held my hand on his thigh between us, and I blushed at his comments, not good with taking praise.
“I just needed to show him I’m not a pushover.”
“Oh, believe me babe, you did that.” He chuckled. I kind of liked it when he called me ‘babe’.
