by Jordan Ford
“You okay, man?”
I nod.
Kade nudges me with his elbow and grunts like a caveman, asking the same question.
“I’m fine,” I mutter. “Ivan’s just pissing me off.”
Riley looks over my shoulder, his expression darkening as he runs his finger over the bruise on his cheek.
I wince.
He probably thinks Chris deserves all the hell she can get. But he doesn’t know what she’s battling. I press my lips together, fighting the urge to spill the truth. I tell my brothers everything. Hiding a secret this big is going to be near impossible.
Chris comes into my line of sight. She walks to the back table, Ivan still dogging her. She’s taking it like a champion, barely flinching until he says something that makes her stop. She spins around, her eyes on fire, steam spurting from her nostrils.
I read her lips. She tells him to F-off and he just laughs at her, lightly shoving her shoulder. Her upper lip curls with a snarl and before I can yell out for her to stop, she flips her tray and dumps it straight into Ivan’s chest.
His arms pop wide with horror while his goons all take a step back so as not to get splattered with orange juice and smashing glass. He turns slightly to check out his posse. Oatmeal is oozing down the front of Ivan’s shirt, droplets of orange juice gliding down his pant legs. Everyone in the cafeteria is now staring at the scene, a few guys snickering.
I’m still gaping at Chris. The instant regret on her face is being whitewashed by fear as Ivan slowly spins back to face her.
The second they’re eye-to-eye, she lets out a breath and bolts from the room. Ivan doesn’t hesitate…and neither do I.
Lurching out of my seat, I dump my banana on the tray.
“Where are you going?” Kade mumbles around a mouthful of food.
“I gotta help,” I mutter.
“What?” Riley shakes his head. “No way. This’ll be your strike three, man. Don’t do it.” He grabs my wrist, pinching it tight while he stands to get in my face. “That kid can fight his own battles.”
I flick him off with a growl. “You don’t get it.” Kade and Riley give me the exact same frowns and I shake my head in frustration, wishing I could tell them. “Look, I won’t do anything stupid, okay? Just stay here. I don’t want you guys risking strikes. If we all go, you know we’ll get the blame.”
“But…”
I ignore Riley’s protest and run for the door. The clueless duty teacher enters the buzzing cafeteria just as I’m leaving.
It won’t take him long to find out what happened, but by then Chris will be beat up and limping. Pumping my arms, I follow the sound of pounding feet.
“You’re dead, little pig!” Ivan shouts.
There’s a terrified scream followed swiftly by a sharp cry of pain. Putting on an extra burst of speed, I round the corner to find Chris on the ground being pummeled by Ivan while his crew forms a tight circle around them.
I shove them aside and muscle my way into the middle. Wrenching Ivan’s shirt, I throw him away from Chris.
She gapes up at me and wipes the trickle of blood from her nose. I’m about to bend down and help her up when I’m forced away.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Ivan seethes in my ear before shoving me back against the wall.
I could take him out in a heartbeat. A swift right hook to the cheek, an upper cut to the chin and he’d be on the floor crying. But I can’t do that.
Riley’s right about the third strike and now that I know about Chris, I’m not doing anything to get kicked out of school. If I have to take a hit, so be it.
Ivan’s buddies grab my shoulders and pin me against the wall. I keep my breathing even, hoping a teacher will bust around the corner any second now. Ivan makes a big show of wiping his mouth and then slowly forming a fist. A rocket punch to my side makes me flinch but I take it with a soft grunt, my fiery gaze not leaving his.
He’s never gonna see fear out of me. He’s never gonna be able to hit me hard enough to stop me. I won’t let him.
My muscles strain against his jittery buddies. They’re trying to play it tough but they know the consequences of going after me. Kade and Riley will not let this slide and if Ivan doesn’t back off soon, there’s gonna be an all-out war at Eton.
It won’t happen in the alcoves and corridors where strikes can be issued. It’ll happen on the ice with body checks and slams so hard they won’t know what hit ‘em. Practice on Monday is gonna be brutal.
Bring it on.
I’m trying to convey all this with my eyes, but Ivan’s clueless to what awaits him, hammering me with another punch to the stomach that makes me double over.
“Quit it!” Chris screams, pulling Ivan’s shoulder. But she’s not strong enough to budge him.
I open my eyes in time to see her eyes fire with rage. Grabbing his hair, she yanks it until his head snaps back and he lets out this pathetic little whine.
He spins and punches her in the side. I wrestle against the guy’s holding me, desperate to help her before she’s pounded again. I need Ry and Kade, but I also don’t want them getting involved.
With a grunt, I strain a little harder. Ivan’s got Chris pinned to the ground now. He’s about to drive his knuckles straight into her face.
I swear I’m gonna lose it if he does.
Screw the third strike. He’s not hitting her anymore!
“Ivan!” a deep voice bellows down the corridor.
Everyone freezes.
It’s Dean Hancock.
Ivan’s fist is midair, his intentions clear.
But before the dean reaches us, he drops it and starts helping Chris to her feet. “Are you okay?” He rubs Chris’s shoulder, acting like he’s come across the scene and is trying to rescue her.
She shoves him off and wipes her mouth with quivering fingers.
The guys have already let me go and are straightening my shirt and tie. I push their hands away, my glare enough to make them back off.
The dean clips to a stop. “What is going on here?”
“Well, sir, Chris fell over, bumped his face on the concrete. I was just helping—”
“Save it,” Dean cuts him off. “Fighting is not tolerated at this school. You all know it, so I don’t know why you even bother!”
His dark glare hits me, his right eyebrow peaking. “Why am I not surprised?”
“But, sir…” Chris steps forward to defend me. “He was just trying to help.”
Dean points a silencing finger at her. “You’re already on in-house suspension. I’d keep my mouth shut if I were you.”
“Just don’t give him a third strike. He doesn’t deserve it.” Her face is so earnest…beautiful.
Damn, I want to kiss her again.
No one ever stands up for me, except for Riley and Kade.
They’re hovering behind the dean. Kade catches my eye and gives me a wink. I can’t believe it. They got the dean involved? Of course they weren’t going to stand by and let me battle it out alone.
I shake my head and mouth, “You’re so lame.”
Kade grins and flips me the bird while Riley nudges him and snickers.
The dean spins at the noise. I can’t see his expression but Kade and Riley both look the picture of innocence while they wait for the dean to dish out whatever punishment he has planned.
Whipping back around with a dubious frown, he eyes me again and grumbles, “Your roommates here came to find me. Said there might be trouble. From what I saw when I came around the corner, I think they might be telling the truth.” He clears his throat. “Miracles can happen, I guess.”
I bite my lips against a smile.
“I didn’t see all the events unfold, but I can tell you right now that you’ll all be spending the weekend in your rooms—no hockey, no off-campus trips.”
There’s a chorus of instant protests, which he shuts up with a wave of his hand and another stern growl. “I can make it the rest of the season if you p
refer.”
I can’t help but let out a disgusted huff.
“Mr. Calloway?”
I bite back a snarky reply and shake my head. “No, thank you, sir.”
Satisfied with my tight-lipped answer, he turns to Chris. “Young man.”
“Y-yes, sir.”
“You and Trey head to the nurse. I want you checked out before classes start for the day.”
“I’m fine.” She shakes her head. “Really. It’s just a bloody nose.” The dean tips his head, his no-nonsense expression making her shrink back. “But I’ll take Trey for you, sir.”
He nods, then turns his glare on Ivan and his jerk buddies. “The rest of you, with me. There’s a certain Code of Conduct assignment I’d like to give you for extra homework tonight.”
With stifled groans, the guys follow the dean who is already clipping down the walkway. I slump back against the wall while Ivan throws me a hot glare before turning it on Chris.
“This isn’t over,” he mutters before shuffling after the dean.
She swallows and blinks rapidly, running her hand down her tie.
I want to hold her again. To tell her he’s full of shit and I won’t let him touch her.
But I can’t.
Because Riley and Kade are right there.
I force my eyes away from her and glance at my brothers. “Seriously, guys? The dean? Since when did you decide to take up tattling?”
Kade lightly punches my shoulder. “Shut up, you big douche. We just saved you a major beating.”
“Whatever.” I shove him away from me. “I was just giving them a few free shots before I let rip.”
“You are so full of shit,” Riley mutters as we start walking down the corridor.
I sigh. “Sorry about the game tomorrow. Coach is gonna flip when he finds out.”
“Dean outranks Coach.” Kade slaps my shoulder. “Don’t worry, we’ll make up for it.”
I snicker. “You better play your heart out. The chances of winning without me are slim.”
“You arrogant prick!” Riley laughs. “We should have just kept our mouths shut and let Ivan pound you losers to a pulp.”
I glance behind me, hoping for some cocky retort from Chris, but she’s still standing back by the pillar, just watching us walk away.
Spinning around, I walk backwards and shout to her, “You coming?”
She throws a nervous look at Riley, then looks back to me. “I’m good. Thanks for helping me out.”
She means it; I can tell by the look in her eyes. If the guys weren’t here right now, maybe I’d be scoring another hot kiss. The idea makes me smile.
“Yeah, well, what are friends for, right?” I shrug and spin back around, calling over my shoulder, “Now, hurry your ass up…unless you want to be late to class.”
It feels weird talking to her that way. Walking off like I don’t really care if she follows or not.
Yesterday, I probably wouldn’t have.
But now I know.
And everything’s different.
#21:
A Highly Addictive Distraction
Christiana
I nibble my lip, pacing from my window and back to the wall. Lightly kicking the wall with the toe of my shoe, I wonder how much longer I can resist.
Why hasn’t Trey snuck over?
It’s Saturday morning. Right now, the Eton Wolves will be battling out the last ten minutes of their hockey game…and Trey’s not playing. It’ll be killing him. I figured he’d come over as soon as Kade and Riley left. I could be the perfect distraction for him.
The corridors are quiet for the moment. Dean Hancock came to check that I was in my room before heading for his office. I heard muffled chatter with Trey and then the sound of his shoes clipping into the distance.
That was a century ago and still Trey hasn’t surfaced.
I walk to my door, grab the handle and then force myself to back away. Trey probably hasn’t come over for a reason. He’s not a Mr. Goody-Two-Shoes. If he wanted to be in my room, he would. Which means he doesn’t want to be here.
Is he pissed with me that I got him messed up in this? That he’s missing a game because the fight was my fault?
I close my eyes, hating the fact I’m obsessing over it.
I’m ashamed to say I can’t even remember what Ivan said to make me dump my food on him. I think he may have called me a pussy or something. Whatever it was, it pissed me off and I figured I might as well act like a guy and throw my food on him.
Do guys even do that?
Whatever. It humiliated him. I try to convince myself that the split second of satisfaction I got was totally worth it. But then he chased me down like a rabid dog.
And Trey came.
To save me.
The girl in me wants to swoon, but then I get annoyed when I think about the fact he probably wouldn’t have helped me at all if he didn’t know my true gender, which turns him from a hero to a sexist pig. Why should he fight for me when I’m a girl but not when I’m a guy?
I let out a frustrated curse and kick the wall again.
I’m not really annoyed about him standing up for me. I’m annoyed because he hasn’t snuck over. I’m annoyed because I shouldn’t even want him to come over.
I can’t stop thinking about him. Everything about him—the way he smiles, looks, tastes. It’s a constant tease in the back of my mind. I shouldn’t want to hang out with Trey Calloway! It’s too dangerous. The last guy I kissed was murdered. Would being near Trey put him in danger too?
I squeeze my eyes shut against the question, hating that it even popped into my head.
“Rybeck said this place was safe,” I mutter, trying to rid the dark thought from my mind and go back to being annoyed about inane things like the fact I caused Trey to miss out on hockey today. He’s probably stewing in his room, cursing my name.
Damn, I wish I could tell him my name.
I stomp to my window, then spin and pace back, jerking to a stop when I notice something new about my wall.
It’s split open.
I frown and walk over to it, kneeling down to figure out how one little kick can create such a clean, straight line. I push the wood with my finger and it rolls to the side.
“Huh.” I push it all the way across to reveal a tunnel-like gap. My mouth makes a big O and I pop my head into the dark space, reaching forward and feeling the piece of wood in front of me.
No way.
This must be how the guys have been sneaking in so easily!
My eyebrows dent into a sharp V and I crawl into the space, ripping the loose board aside and finding a solid desk. With a grunt, I use my shoulder to shove the heavy piece of furniture aside. I manage to knock over a chair and by the time I’m squeezing through the narrow wedge I created between the wall and the desk, Trey is rising from his bed.
Pulling off his headphones, he lets them dangle around his neck while he crosses his arms and gives me a pitiful head tip. “What are you doing?”
I struggle to my feet and brush the dust off my knees. “You sneak into my room through a hole in the wall? How long’s that been there?”
He shrugs and takes off his headphones. “A while. It’s the safest way to shift our stuff around. Before you came along we’d put everything into your room and never get busted during weekly room inspections.”
I frown at him, stepping further into the room before throwing another dark look at the hole in the wall. “How much stuff do you really hide in there?” I whip back to look at him. “Where do you keep it?”
“Not telling.” He slides his hands into his pockets, looking sexy as sin when he winks at me.
My frown deepens. I look away from him, annoyed by my attraction.
Dammit.
I wish I could forget how good he tastes. How strong his arms are.
But I can’t. I want more.
“Why haven’t you come over?” I blurt, throwing my arms up and deciding to do something useful with my frustrat
ion.
“Uh, we’re supposed to stay in our rooms this weekend.”
“Oh please, like a little authority has ever stopped you from doing what you want! I’m stuck over there, bored out of my mind. I wanted you to come over and hang out with me.”
A cocky smiles tugs at his lips. “Why?”
I roll my eyes. “Because you’re normally there! Taking over my space, filling it with noise and potato chips and hockey! Because I’ve just spent the entire morning pacing from the window to the wall, wondering if you’re annoyed and trying to punish me with the silent treatment.”
He frowns. “Why would I punish you?”
“Because I made you miss your precious game!”
“Helping you out was my choice.” He huffs. “I knew the consequences.”
“Then why aren’t you crawling through that wall to come and irritate me?”
He snickers and shakes his head. “Because I’m missing my hockey game right now and it’s put me in a foul mood. I figured if I came over, I’d be a grumpy shit and accidentally take it out on you, so it was better to just hang here and listen to some tunes.”
His answer stumps me. My forehead wrinkles as I replay his words.
“But yet again, I underestimated the power of your presence.” He moves around the bed, approaching me with slow, even steps.
I back away, narrowing my eyes at his playful expression.
“Who would have thought that a girl having a big ol’ rant could be so damn sexy? It almost makes up for missing the game.”
My right eyebrow cocks as I feign insult. “Almost?”
He snickers as I hit the back wall and have nowhere else to go. Closing the distance with two quick steps, he boxes me in. His forearms rest just above my shoulders. I can see them ripple as he leans against the wall behind me. His breath is on my skin. It smells like cinnamon gum. His lips are full and kissable, just inches from mine.
I glance up and catch his eye. We’re locked in a moment again.
I love the way he studies me, like he’s trying to read my soul. I let him have a piece of it, unable to hide the effect he has on me.
His sensual lips pull into a slow smile as he whispers against my skin. “Truth is, I thought if I came over, I wouldn’t be able to resist you…and that could get us into a whole heap of trouble.”
