Devour

by E. K. Blair

  Adam had been watching me with an odd look. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine,” I bit out. I forced myself to relax. Sometimes being mean right off the bat wasn’t good. And Adam had started to be one of the two people still there for me after my debacle with Jeff/Lydia/Jessica.

  And speaking of, as I turned to Adam, I saw my two ex best friends at Jill Flatten’s locker across the hall. All three of them were watching me with frowns on their faces. When they saw me, Jill giggled and leaned closer to the two. She whispered something and both of them started laughing.

  Jeff stopped beside them, saw me, saw the exchange, and kept going.

  Adam chuckled. “I think he’s finally learning.”

  I rolled my eyes and started towards my first class. When Adam walked with me, I asked, “So what about you getting out of practice early?”

  “I was thinking we could try that dinner again.”

  I saw Becky at her locker ahead. She dropped her bag. Books and papers fell out of it and she knelt beside and lurched to grab everything before people kicked her things away. A few laughed and did what she tried to prevent, but one other girl helped her gather her stuff.

  I sighed. “I can’t.”

  “Why not?” Then he saw where I’d been watching. He stopped me with a hand on my shoulder. “Becky and I are never going to date. We had a heart to heart last night after the movies.”

  “You did?”

  “Yeah.” He nodded. His eyes skirted over my face, scanning me constantly as if he were looking for something. “She’s really okay with you and me...” He hesitated. “Getting to know one another?”

  I smirked. “And do I get a say in this?”

  “Well, yeah, of course.” But his cheeks got red, just a bit, and he scratched the back of his head. “So do you want to have dinner tonight? I was thinking you could even eat the food this time.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, sure.” I waited a beat. “Can I bring Becky?”

  He froze and I moved ahead, laughing. Then he called after me, “You’re not funny.”

  I shook my head and kept laughing. I was funny enough.

  I had Lydia in my first two periods and she kept giving me weird looks. Jessica was in my third and fourth period. She refused to look at me. Then at lunch, when Becky dropped across from me and Adam went to sit with his football team, Jill joined their table along with Lydia and Jessica.

  Becky looked over her shoulder and her eyes got wide. “I can’t believe them.”

  “What?” I was cautious as I opened my bag lunch. Then I relaxed. Inside were an orange, a bag of chips, and a peanut butter sandwich. I gave her my chips, tossed the sandwich in the trash, and started to peel the orange.

  “Jill Flatten. She’s all over Jeff at the table. And I can’t believe she’s friends with your friends.”

  “They’re not my friends.”

  “They were,” she retorted and sent them a glare. Lydia had looked, but ducked her head down. “It’s like Jill Flatten wants your life.”

  I sat back and fought off a yawn.

  “Aren’t you bothered at all by her?”

  I shrugged. “Truthfully, no. It’s sort of the last thing on my mind these days.”

  She gave me an incredulous look. “What else is going on in your life?”

  If only she knew... I lifted a careless shoulder. “Jill Flatten does not bother me.” Mason and Logan on the other hand... My mother... I shuddered. My whole life had fallen apart. Finding one good friend like Becky erased all the other friend drama.

  “She bothers me.” She peeked over her shoulder at them.

  I looked this time too and saw all three of them had been staring at us. Lydia squeaked and looked at her food. Jessica’s head whipped away and Jill only narrowed her eyes, but she held my gaze.

  I narrowed mine back and stood.

  Becky gasped, “What are you doing?”

  I was tempted to shrug her off. I didn’t know, but something propelled me across the lunch room. I stopped before their table and heard a lot of conversations hush. The football team sat at the ‘popular’ table, but most of the really popular girls sat at the other end where Adam was with the other varsity starters. Jill, Lydia, and Jessica sat at the far end where Jeff was, along with the other second string guys. Jeff was third string, actually.

  Becky bumped into my elbow, and then apologized under her breath. She was panting from her hurry.

  “Sam!” Adam called over and waved at us.

  I ignored him.

  Becky took my arm and hissed in my ear, “We can sit by him.”

  I shrugged her off and glanced up. I didn’t know what made me look, but my fake father had entered the lunch room. He was dressed in his coach’s apparel, a professional looking running suit with Fallen Crest Academy printed on his left shoulder underneath our school’s crest.

  “Yes?” Jill snapped at me. She tried to sound bored, like I was annoying her, but I heard the apprehension underneath it.

  At the sight of David, everything hardened in me again. I was growing used to that feeling and I looked back at her. There was an added edge to me when I stepped close to their table and placed a hand right in front of her.

  “Sam?” Jeff leaned forward and whispered. “What are you doing?”

  Jessica still refused to look at me. Lydia had both her hands over her face, but her fingers were spread. She watched from behind them and I saw that she was holding her breath.

  “You’re wasting our lunch time,” Jill snapped. “What do you want, Sam? You’re pathetic.”

  Then Adam was beside me and his hand held my elbow. He pulled me back against him and spoke into my ear. As his lips moved, they brushed against me and I shivered from the teasing touch. “Sit with me. Let this go. Trust me, it won’t be worth it.”

  “Fine.” I released everything in me when I surrendered with that word.

  He nodded and started to pull me away. I saw the looks of relief on Jessica, Lydia, and Jeff’s faces. Jill looked disappointed, but David stepped in front of me. He gave Adam a polite nod. “Do you mind if I have a word with Samantha?”

  I stiffened in Adam’s hold and he cast a concerned look at me. Then he reluctantly nodded. “Sure.”

  David gestured towards the hall and I followed at a slower pace. I glanced back and saw that Adam had pulled Becky to sit beside him, but she watched me. Her eyes were small and she was biting her lip.

  Then the door was pushed open and we stepped out into the empty hallway.

  David gestured ahead. “My office?”

  I rolled my eyes. “Is this about your car?”

  “My office?”

  I heard the forced politeness and followed. Everything in me was cement. I didn’t care, not one iota, but I followed anyway. I was more curious to what he had to say and then when we were in his office and he shut the door, I knew he meant business. He indicated the couch across from his desk.

  I perched on the end.

  He took his seat and folded his hands on the desk. He looked at them.

  I waited.

  No one spoke.

  Then he cursed under his breath and looked up. His eyes were bleak again.

  I frowned. I didn’t care why he looked like that. It made no difference to me now...

  He started, “Do you know how much trouble you could’ve been?”

  “If you had called the cops?”

  “Yes,” he snapped out. “Samantha, this is not a joke.”

  “I’m not laughing.”

  “If anyone else would’ve seen and had called the cops, I wouldn’t have been able to protect you. The cops have the right to press charges, even if the offended party doesn’t want them to.”

  “So you’re saying you don’t want me charged?”

  He sighed and leaned back in his chair. “I didn’t call the cops for a reason.”

  “Why’s that?” I was in shock at my own voice. I sounded so bored.

  He bit out a few curses.
The hostility of them drew me upright again and something stirred in me. It was like I was coming awake again.

  He glared at me. “Of course, I don’t want you hurt. Why would you think that? I raised you, Samantha.”

  “Even though I’m not your daughter.”

  His chest heaved up and down and he looked like he was fighting for control. His voice was strained a second later. “I loved you, all your life, like you were my daughter. And what happened to you wasn’t your fault—”

  I shot to my feet, though I hugged myself. “According to Analise, it was both of your faults.”

  “I loved her.” He laughed to himself. The sound sent chills down my back. “Because I don’t make millions or because I’m not handsome like him doesn’t mean that I didn’t love your mother. I loved her very much.”

  I blinked. And everything was gone in the next moment. My anger vanished. My sarcasm, my self-loathing, my hatred for him—all was gone. And I collapsed down on the couch again. My face was buried in my hands.

  He continued in a distant voice, “I loved my marriage how it was...” His chair squeaked and his voice was clearer now. “Stop hanging out with the Kade boys.”

  I looked up.

  He watched me intently, his eyes never wavered away. “They are not good for you. They are dangerous to you.”

  It all shut down again and I stood. “I thought you said to make friends?”

  “I was hoping for the best then. Now I’m preparing for the worst.” His face was clouded. “Stay away from them, as much as possible. Please, Samantha.”

  I gave him a wry look. “If only it were that simple.” And then I opened the door and went through the boys’ locker room. The bell rang as I got to the hallway and I took refuge in my last three periods.

  No Becky. No Adam. No one who cared was in those classes.

  I was able to breathe easier knowing that.

  After my last period, I escaped easily.

  When I got to the mansion, I was surprised to find Logan in the dining room. He had books and papers spread out over the table and he glanced up idly. When he saw it was me, his focused snapped to attention. He gave me a lopsided grin, but my back straightened.

  I wasn’t fooled.

  “We’re doing a charity thing with your school this weekend.”

  I shrugged and went to the kitchen.

  “It’s another football game.”

  My hand paused when I reached for a water bottle.

  “Your dad’s going to be there.” He’d gotten up and leaned against a counter close to me. “What are you going to do?”

  I shut the door and watched him. “What do you mean?”

  “Who are you going to cheer for? Your loser school or your new soon-to-be stepbrothers?”

  “And why would you assume I’d be there?”

  He shrugged, but I caught his cocky grin. “It’s for charity. Your whole school will be there.”

  “When is it?”

  “Saturday night.”

  “Why not Friday night?”

  He rolled his eyes and pushed off from the counter. I tensed when he reached around me and opened the fridge. His arm brushed against my shoulder and he pulled out a container of juice. “Because we have our normal game that night. We play Collins. You should come, cheer us on.”

  “I think not.” I pulled away and remained at a safe distance.

  His eyes seemed to laugh at me. “Whatever. You’ve gotta come to the charity thing.”

  “And why’s that?”

  “Because we’re going to win.” He made it sound like it was the most obvious thing to do.

  “Why do you think I care?”

  “Because...” He chewed on his words. “Because Mason and I are the best. Why wouldn’t you come?”

  “Because I don’t care about that?”

  “Well, you should.” He sounded miffed, like I had hurt his feelings.

  I lifted a careless shoulder in the air.

  He narrowed his eyes. “You’re a bit odd in the head, aren’t you?”

  I couldn’t hold back my grin. “What do you mean?”

  “Most girls would blast it on the internet that we’re your new stepbrothers. You act like we’re your dirty secret.”

  “I like my privacy.”

  He shook his head. “We’ve got a couple parties this weekend too, if you want to go?”

  “I’m good with my friends.”

  His eyes narrowed and he opened his mouth, but Mason came around the corner that instant. Logan clamped his mouth shut, but he continued to give me a puzzling stare.

  “Let’s go.” Mason punched Logan in the shoulder as he bypassed us.

  I looked over and held Mason’s gaze before he went through the front door.

  A different shiver went over my body at the sight of him and something left me when the door closed behind him. I refused to think it was anything more than hate...right?

  ***

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  That night I met Adam for burgers and he surprised me by bringing Becky. Everyone was happy until Jeff and Jill Flatten came in for their date night. They chose a booth across the restaurant so it was semi-easy to ignore them. When they left, Jeff gave me a once over and Jill gave me a glare.

  Sigh.

  I could’ve been a part of that.

  Or not.

  I shuddered at the thought of being with Jeff again, not to mention the deceit from Lydia and Jessica.

  And since Becky must’ve been psychic, she shot forward and slammed a hand down on the table. “I heard Lydia telling Melissa Baker that Jeff asked about you.”

  Adam sat back.

  “What are you talking about?”

  She jerked her head up and down. “Uh huh. And Nancy Morrow overheard it too. He asked Lydia and Jessica about you, at Jessica’s locker.” She spoke like it was a hush-hush controversy.

  “Come on, Becky. Jeff’s not stupid.”

  “Yeah, he is.”

  “He knows that he’s made his bed.”

  “My cousin is a jerk-one douche bag. I bet you fifty bucks that he’s going to start talking to you again by the end of the month. And Jill knows it too.” She pointed at the door with a French fry. “That’s why she’s upped her game against you.”

  “Since they got together, she’s been like that.”

  “Yeah, but it’s worse. I think she hates you.” She glanced at Adam from underneath her eyelids. “And I think Ashley DeCortts is scared of you.”

  “Does she hate me too?” I hadn’t done anything to anyone. Why did anyone care about me?

  “No.” Becky gave me a small smile. “It’s not in Ashley to hate someone.” She looked at Adam. “Right?”

  He placed two hands against the table and pushed his chair back. When he stood, he plucked the bill from the table and went to the register.

  “I think that’s his answer for ‘I don’t care and let’s get out of here.’“

  Becky groaned. “I think he’s mad at me.”

  “Why?”

  “Because he brought me on your date, because he thought you wouldn’t go without me, and now I’m bringing up Ashley.” She leaned across the table and whispered behind her hands, “He still loves her, Sam.”

  When he started back to us, I stood. “Becky, you’re just being you. Don’t worry about it. You’ve got nothing to feel bad about.”

  She jumped to her feet and smoothed her hands down the front of her pants while she gave me an unsteady smile.

  Adam stood behind me and asked in a low voice, “Sam, do you need a ride to school tomorrow?”

  Becky’s eyes got wide. She squeaked, but slapped both her hands over her mouth and jerked away.

  As she hurried out the door, I couldn’t stop a laugh. “Why are you like that to her?”

  The corner of his mouth lifted. “Because she’s so interested in everyone else’s business. I don’t think that’s good for her.”

  “Let her be. That’s just her being her.
”

  “Yeah.” His voice was wry. “I heard what you said to her.”

  I shrugged a shoulder. “That’s how I feel.”

  As we both turned for the door, his hand cupped the back of my elbow. “You never answered about that ride.”

  I shook my head and pushed open the glass door. The evening had cooled and I knew I’d need a sweater soon.

  Becky was already in his car, but I knew she could see us.

  “Samantha?”

  “My whole name?” I teased him before I gently twisted my elbow out of his hold. “I can give myself a ride. Thanks for the offer. That was sweet.”

  He tugged on the back of my pants when I was about to step down for the car and held me back. His voice was close to my ear. “I could give Becky and you a ride tomorrow.”

  I could imagine their reactions when they pulled up to the Kade mansion. And I chuckled dryly when I removed his hold from my pants. “That’s okay, Don Juan, but I think Becky would appreciate a ride.”

  He laughed, huskily, and brushed against the back of my neck. “Maybe I’ll do that then.”

  I gave him a curious look as I opened the front door and he rounded the car for his, but as he slid behind the steering wheel, his face was clouded. A wall had been put in place and from the little I knew Adam, I knew I wouldn’t get that wall back down for a while.

  When he drove us back to Becky’s house where my car was parked, the ride was quiet. Even Becky was silent and I knew this was the right thing to do. He kept trying, but it wouldn’t happen. It shouldn’t happen. And he should give Becky rides. They were neighbors. A part of me felt he might start to like her, if only he’d get over whatever fascination he had for me.

  I was broken. I didn’t need to break anyone else with me.

  When Adam pulled into his family’s driveway, he didn’t say goodbye. He got out of his side, shut the door, and strolled inside his family’s house.

  Becky gave me a sad smile as we were slower to get out. “He’s mad. What’d you do?”

  “Nothing.” That was the truth. “He’ll get over it.”

  “Yeah.”

  I sighed. How had I gotten into more drama? “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “See you.” She waved as I went to my car and drove off.