I look at him incredulously. “Did you just growl?” I spit out.
He snorts next to me and again I look at him like he’s crazy. It’s the most awkward lunch I’ve ever had and I’m actually relieved when four girls walk up and start talking to the guys. They’re the girls I see falling all over themselves anytime Raf, Henry, and Ashton are nearby.
“Raf, you should have a party this weekend after the game since your dad’s going out of town. We can have a bonfire by the water,” Ashton says.
Raf is digging into his food like he’s starving. “That can be arranged,” he says and takes another huge bite of his cheeseburger.
“I’ll be there.” A tall redhead leans over Ashton so she can show him and Raf her cleavage.
Ashton clears his throat. “This is Amber.” He points at the others one at a time. “Heidi, Melanie, Jen.”
The table goes quiet.
I hold up my hand and don’t bother smiling at any of them when they don’t acknowledge me.
“Gabriela should come too.” Ashton peers around me to Raf then grins at me.
“She isn’t invited,” Raf says, pushing away from the table.
Ashton frowns. “Raf, man. Don’t be an asshole.”
They both have balls, I’ll give them that.
Raf’s tense as he stands up. But when a slow smile flits across his lips, that scares me more than his typical scowl. “You know what? I don’t think we can trust you to keep your mouth shut, can we, new girl? You’re gonna run home to Mommy and tell her there’s a party going on, aren’t you?”
“It’s Gabriela, remember?” I mutter under my breath. “And I won’t say a word. I wouldn’t go to your party even if I was invited.”
I wonder what happens at his parties that he’d be concerned about my mom finding out about it.
“We’ve already decided you’re not good enough for us.” Heidi’s lip curls up with disgust. She’s the one I’ve seen hanging on Raf the most. I wonder if they’re a couple. “You’re a charity project and we don’t want to take you on.” She laughs and her girlfriends all fall in line, laughing along with her.
I shrug. “I live in the same neighborhood as Raf, so I must not be too bad off.”
Her head whips around to Raf. “Is that true?”
He rolls his eyes and grabs my arm. “Word with you.”
I follow him into the hall after I take care of my tray. He’s out there already and when I step out, he cages me in with his arms.
“Here’s how we’re going to do this. You owe me.” He waits for me to respond, but I just fold my arms across my chest and wait for him to finish his nonsense.
It seems to throw him off when I don’t say anything.
“You pay up and I’ll let you come to my party.”
“I said I’d take care of the car and I will. I don’t need a pity invite to come to your stupid party.”
He leans in closer and there it is—that swirly feeling in my gut again, damn him. He’s so close, our lips could touch if he just leaned in a teensy bit closer. My heart gallops away and I feel like I’m going to hyperventilate. I want him to kiss me more than anything. No, don’t be an idiot, I reason with myself. But my body isn’t paying any attention to reasoning.
“You’re my toy to bat around so you’re coming to the party.” The seduction in his voice doesn’t match what’s coming out of his mouth and I frown, wishing I knew what this guy’s problem is. “Ashton wants in your pants, pure and simple. And you look at him like you wouldn’t mind.”
“He does not,” I scoff but wonder if he’s right. I have seen Ashton checking me out several times. “Why would you care who wants in my pants?”
“I’m trying to decide how I’m going to make you pay first…and he doesn’t fit into my plans. Tell him you’re not interested and I’ll see you Friday night.”
“There’s no way I’d ever come to your party.” I say it without thinking and then wish I could suck the words back in.
His face goes through a series of expressions that have me wanting to both console and slap him. It settles on thunderous and I take a step back but the wall won’t give.
He leans by my ear and I feel his lips brush against it, sending goose bumps scattering across my entire body. “Dare on,” he whispers.
My face heats and I swallow hard. I just want to go to school in peace, make decent grades, maybe have a date or two here and there. Is that too much to ask?
Raf’s arms drop and he walks away, gloating. I can’t go to that party, and I need to make sure my mother is as far from home as possible on Friday night so she doesn’t call the cops if it’s loud. I can’t count on her to be as cool as I want her to be.
When Ashton walks into calculus, Raf turns to see if I’m paying attention. Two girls are flanking Ashton and he’s smiling at both of them appreciatively. One of the girls leans in and whispers something in his ear. She hands him a piece of paper and he puts it in his pocket. Looks like both Raf and I misread Ashton’s attention toward me, which, I have to say, is a relief. The last thing I want is come between friends and this rivalry with Raf doesn’t seem like it will ease up any time soon.
But when Ashton sees me, his eyes light up. “Hey, there you are.”
He lifts a hand up to the girls and I see their shoulders fall when he looks at me. The one who gave him
