I shook my head, and half-glanced at her sister who flinched at Jasmine’s suggestion. I wouldn’t touch Jaeda to save my life. I’d heard how Jasmine made Jaeda do one guy with Jasmine at the same time and Jaeda cried through the whole thing. I didn’t need that kind of drama.
Pushing past her, I glanced at Chris who stared after the new girl with adoration in his eyes. I almost growled at him to keep his eyes down. He didn’t have the right to stare at a woman like that with her petite frame pulsing with power. Power I hadn’t given her.
My boys fell into step alongside me. Brock moving with tension in his limbs. “Do you think she’s going to give us problems?”
Gunner scoffed. “She can give me problems. I can think of all kinds of ways I’d like to teach her a lesson or two.” His movements were looser, more relaxed as he joked about the girl.
I didn’t comment. I didn’t need or want to. As my cousins talked back and forth across me, I gritted my teeth together, trying to ignore the image in my head of the sassy girl’s butt as she walked away. She worked out. You couldn’t miss the control in her movements or the twitching of her muscles.
She wore a thin shirt and I’d noticed. All three of us had noticed the shape of her breasts and the tightening at the peaks from the cold. I wanted to slam Chris’s head into the ground for being in the same area she was.
There was no question what had happened and it made the newcomer even more of a curiosity. Jasmine had a habit of picking on Chris. She’d always done it, ever since we were all little. Chris rubbed her the wrong way and she took her frustrations out on him.
Overall, though, Jasmine was nothing. She tossed herself around and slept with whoever, whenever. She thought she fit in with us, but she wasn’t a Jameson. She was a Steffes. That name didn’t mean anything and she knew it.
She could never be a Jameson and we wouldn’t touch her.
No one else could be one of us. We didn’t allow that.
Maybe Jasmine’s position at the factory let her think she was Queen Bee, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. She could be replaced. They all could.
The front doors to the school opened as someone went inside. We strode through and I realized that if the new girl continued standing up to Jasmine, but did it in front of more people, we might have a problem with the balance of things. Jasmine and her little group kept the girls in line and out of our way. Recruiting wasn’t easy and Jasmine did it in such a way it wasn’t any effort for me or the boys.
We kept the rest of the school – and town – running like it should. Nothing worse than someone coming in and destroying all the order and creating chaos.
Judging by the startling blue in that girl’s eyes, she was nothing but chaos. I ignored the thrill in my bones at the thought of what she could do. I bet she didn’t even know her potential.
If I wanted to keep things in order, I had to make sure she never found out.
***
Gray
I thrummed my fingers on the surface of the counter in the office, waiting for the woman with the wild silver and brown curls to move a little faster. I held my polite smile on my face. I had to remember my father worked there. I couldn’t escape him so there was no reason to make things harder for all of us.
Plus, I had a tendency to people-please since Mom left. Before that… I cleared my throat. No point in letting my thoughts run down that trail. Mom wasn’t coming back and no amount of self-pity or self-blame would bring her back. I just had to accept the fact that my mother was a selfish whore and leave it at that. I would have to ignore the inkling thoughts that she’d left because of me.
“Okay, dear. You’re going to have a full schedule. It looks like Timbercreek kept you busy with all of the honor roll classes. You have the same options here, but you’re already ahead of the game, so just stick with your schedule and you’ll do well.” She smiled kindly at me and I worked to quash the anger that she would treat me like an idiot.
No. It wasn’t her fault. She thought I was just a frail girl. They all did. I hadn’t been there long enough to make an impact. Not yet. So far, I was just a girl to them. A newcomer that really was a nobody.
I almost didn’t mind being a nobody. Except once I started to make waves, I wouldn’t be able to hide who I was. I smiled tightly and grasped the paperwork she slid across the counter to me.
I glanced down at the paper. History was first. I hated history but whatever. The only classes I liked had to do with math and science. Oh, and gym. I glanced down the sheet and winced. “Yoga? What is yoga doing on here?” Yoga? Who in their right mind thought stretching was a healthy exercise?
“All the girls do yoga while the boys lift. It’s a great way to relax your mind.” She simpered at me and then turned toward more paperwork. “You’ll want to get going. The first bell is about to ring and Mr. Ellison makes a point of spotlighting anyone tardy to his class.” She didn’t glance up as I grabbed the paper and swung my backpack onto my shoulder.
Great. My first day would be full of embarrassment as it was as the student that didn’t fit in. I didn’t feel like adding to it. I also didn’t look too closely into the vice-principal’s office with its glass paned door. I knew Dad was in there and I didn’t want to see him. Not in school.
The bell was going to ring and I had to hurry to class. Irritation obviously was going to be my constant companion. Joy.
I pushed out of the front office, eyes down as I studied my schedule. History. Fine. Calculus followed by Physics and then lunch. My afternoon had English, Strategical Logic, and Yoga. I was fine with everything except Yoga. That was going to have to go. I didn’t stretch and I didn’t hang out with girls.
Wham. I slammed into a wall. Since when did walls grow in the middle of a hallway?
I glanced up, suddenly staring into those silver eyes but from a lot closer. Stryker stared down at me; his expressionless features hotter than the situation outside had let me see.
He probably expected me to back away, move on, but I didn’t move from where I’d run into him. My chest touched his and I was acutely aware of the heat pulsing off his skin. His pupils dilated, the only sign he knew I stood there.
I should be thinking about Blaze. I shouldn’t be aware of the other two men moving into place on either side of me, their warm bodies pushing in close as if the three of them were going to swallow me whole.
Those types of things didn’t intimidate me. I could handle being crowded. I could handle being surrounded by people.
Rather than back down, I lifted my chin, meeting each of their gazes with my own. I returned my eyes to Stryker’s and cocked my head to the side. “Is this supposed to scare me?”
He didn’t move as he continued staring at me. Then, as if pouring whiskey over lava rocks, his voice sent shivers down my spine. “Why, are you scared?” A smirk curved the edges of his perfectly shaped lips and I almost groaned. He was going to be one of those guys – silent, delicious, and full of himself.
Over-confidence did something to my insides, but I wouldn’t let it affect me. He was a jerk and I wasn’t going to let him get to me. None of them. Not one.
I released the strap of my pack with one hand, leaving the other hooked to hold it in place with my left hand. Mimicking the way Jasmine had caressed him, I slowly lifted my eyes up the broad expanse of Stryker’s chest with the trail of my finger. After a second, I smiled and met his gaze with mine. “Sweetheart, it’s going to take a lot more than that to intimidate me.”
In a fast swipe, Stryker’s fingers wrapped around my wrist, his touch scorching and tight. He pulled my hand back, something flickering in his eyes that I wanted to explore more fully.
The auburn-haired guy pressed in on my side, his own muscles apparent against my bicep. Keeping his voice low, he didn’t try to hide the contempt in his tone. “You’re new here, so we’ll give you a pass this time. Leave Jasmine alone. Attend your classes and go home. Don’t cause problems. You’re not wanted, Timbercreek.”
Not wanted. Timbercreek. How did they know I was from Timbercreek? And who did they think they were, making any demands on me? They didn’t know me.
They had no idea who I was or what I was doing there.
My chest lifted as I took a deep breath, brushing the front of my tits against Stryker’s folded arms. I ignored the sharp pang of desire and grinned with a hungry slant to my lips. Reaching out, I patted the red-head, squeezing the muscles in his upper arm like I was appreciating the size. Stryker’s eyes darkened and his lips pressed together.
“Don’t worry about me, big boy. I don’t need a babysitter and I don’t need you hulking around me. I suggest you step back before something happens.” I grinned sweetly, making sure all three of them understood where I was coming from.
The bell rang overhead and yet they didn’t move. Inwardly, I groaned. Late. On my first day. Lovely.
They still didn’t move. Why weren’t they moving?
I barely adjusted my head as I shifted my gaze between them. They weren’t moving and I had to go. Fine.
They thought they were going to scare me into complacency? They thought they could intimidate me? Bull. I didn’t take crap from anyone. I certainly wasn’t going to start now.
A few people rushed around the hall, some in more of a hurry than others. A few people paused to watch the three guys and myself. Just what I needed. An audience. My first day was turning into hell right before my very eyes.
“You’re not going to move.” I said it as a statement. I could tell by the way they stood that they weren’t going to move until I agreed or backed up. Well, I wasn’t giving into the tyrannical way they were treating me and I certainly didn’t back down from anything.
I took a long breath, imperceptible while I clenched my fists together. In one combined motion, I dropped my pack and ducked, elbowing the blond just below his diaphragm. I swung to the side, delivering a side punch to the red-head’s appendix area and then moving into an uppercut swing toward Stryker.
While I’d taken the other two by surprise, Stryker seemed ready for my attack. He blocked my swing with his forearm. The other two barely grunted as they moved in tighter, fury overtaking their calm features.
I wasn’t cornered yet. I was trained to use my fists, but that didn’t mean I didn’t know other ways to protect myself. Stomping forward, I ground the heel of my Converse into the top of Stryker’s foot. I got no reaction except for him reaching out and gripping my biceps in his hands as he moved me back an inch.
He actually picked me up and moved me back.
My jaw dropped as I stared at him. I wasn’t light. I lifted like a crazy person and my muscle mass made me solid. A fact Blaze constantly pointed out.
“Is everything okay out here?” A familiar woman’s voice made me close my eyes for a brief moment.
When I opened them, I found Stryker studying me with curiosity he’d do well to smother. I glared at him, more than ready to tell him where to shove his questions.
The blond stepped from my side. “No, Mrs. Perkins. We’re just welcoming the new girl.”
“Gunner, you boys are late. I’ll take care of the new girl.” The dark-haired woman stepped into my view and I took a steadying breath, avoiding Stryker’s gaze as I stared toward the top corner of where the wall and ceiling met. Mrs. Perkins continued talking. “I’m looking forward to the season, Brock. Let me know how things are going with your uncle. I haven’t heard from him in a while.”
The guys didn’t say anything as they turned, their image intact with the vice-principal but as I glanced around at the students still in the hall, I realized they were staring at me with weird expressions on their faces. Great. Had I painted a target on my back before I’d even made it to my first class?
The woman stepped into place, blocking my view of the backs of the three guys who had just tried scaring me into conforming. I didn’t conform. I wouldn’t conform.
“Gray, you can’t come here and cause problems. You need to fit in. You need to try at this school, honey.” Mrs. Perkins drew my attention to her face. She hadn’t changed a bit in the few years since I’d seen her last. Even her spite wasn’t hidden well as she studied me.
Family gatherings were few and far between in my family, especially with the sister of the mother who abandoned me. I’d forgotten how much Aunt Danielle resembled Mom.
“When did you start working here?” I clenched my teeth together. Dad had to know. He’d brought us there under the guise that he had gotten a job. I had no doubt that he had, but I thought it was under his own merits and not because he called in some form of nepotism.
“I’ve been here for a few years. Now, Gray, let’s talk about what you are and aren’t going to do.” The lines around her eyes tightened as she turned forward, reaching out and turning me to walk beside her.
Everything in me wanted to pull back and run as far away as I could, but I didn’t. I couldn’t. She reminded me too much of Mom. My dad needed the job. I knew that. I needed a chance to take on my dreams. As long as I played it her way, I might just be able to get what I wanted. I could swallow my pride for a few minutes.
I didn’t speak which was a silent way of announcing that I’d listen to what she had to demand.
“You’re going to attend your classes, do your homework, and fit in. You don’t need to stand out. You don’t need to cause problems. Have fun. Make some friends. That’s all you need to do. You’re not going to make waves. Do you understand me?” She stopped beside a door with another window, the glass holding the number 213.
My schedule had said 213. I didn’t say anything as I opened the door and swung it open. Aunt Danielle reached out and gripped my shoulder, her fingers biting into my muscle. “I’m serious, Gray. Don’t come here and cause problems.”
I shook her off as I strode into class, ignoring the teacher at the front of the room as I claimed a seat in the back without looking around. I slumped into the chair, more than aware of the image I was already assigning myself.
So far, I’d gotten into a standoff with the twin witches, tried punching my way out of a gang of hot jerks, and was being threatened by the vice-principal who I hoped no one knew was my aunt. Things were definitely not going the way I had envisioned.
I took a deep breath as the teacher returned to his topic and ignored my tardiness or even my presence as a new student. There was one mild win going for me.
As I sank back into my seat, I took a quick glance around, looking to my left last. I froze.
Brock studied me from the seat beside me, his elbow bent as he leaned on his hand and stared. Frank appreciation darkened his green eyes and I had the sudden impression that he could undress me with his gaze and not even move a muscle.
The last thing I needed was to start my mornings with a strong dose of those guys. Especially with one in my morning class. What I needed to do was ignore him. Move about my day. The novelty of the new girl would wear off. It always did. How many schools had I been in over the last three years in search of my goal? Timbercreek was the one I’d been at the longest, had even planned on it being my last. Plans changed. I had to go with that.
If this one didn’t do what I needed, I’d go to a different one. I had to. There was no other option. Even if I had to leave Dad behind.
I ignored the churning in my gut that there might not be any other option if Jameson High didn’t work out. Hadn’t Dad said we were at the end of our choices? At least as far as fighting was concerned. If I wanted to box, I had to stick with this school. I could do it.
I faced forward, ignoring the heat of Brock’s eyes on me. I could do this. I didn’t have any other choice.
Chapter 3
Gray
I hid from everyone during lunch in the library. The dimmest, most unused corner did what I needed as I curled up with my brown bag of cucumber slices, tuna, crackers, and pickles. I had to keep my protein up, so I would eat some chicken breast and cheese sticks right after school.
Thoughts of my day so far weren’t enthusiastic and I had a feeling it didn’t matter what Dad said about that afternoon. If I wanted to survive Jameson High, I would have to have the tradeoff for the team or I’d never make it.
I forced myself to get through the rest of the day. Even the teachers lacked passion and it showed. They went through the motions and my last two classes before the dreaded yoga passed faster than I wanted and not because they were interesting. I just didn’t want to go to yoga. I hadn’t even brought gym clothes appropriate for yoga. I didn’t think so anyway.
I’d seen yoga classes before and the girls always wore tights and body suits. I definitely hadn’t come equipped for that.
Ringing, the bell marked the end of my last academic class and I gathered my things together. The only class with one of the disturbingly gorgeous guys was history in the morning. I could handle that. Brock was hot as sin, but I could focus and ignore his distractions. I could do that. I would have to do that. If it had been Stryker, I would have been screwed five ways from Sunday.
I followed the stream of people out into the hallway and wandered toward the gym. Signs were all over the building on where rooms were located. The school itself was less than half the size of Timbercreek. I wasn’t sure why signs were up. There weren’t that many rooms and it wasn’t confusing in the least.
Blue, orange, and white coloring covered everything. Blue lockers with one single orange stripe running from top to bottom on each locker door lined the walls. Pristine white paint covered the rest of the walls, marred only with orange and blue paw prints in random paths.
Timbercreek’s colors were green, black, and white while their mascot was a bear. Jameson had wrapped itself in brighter colors, the tiger a strong bearer of the orange and white coloring. I couldn’t say I hated it, but I wouldn’t say it out loud and certainly not to anyone who had taken on the role of pointedly ignoring me.
Her Challengers: A high school bully romance (Bad Boys of Jameson High Book 1) Page 2
