by Rina Kent
“Don’t want your face getting stuck that way, Angel.”
My eyes snap up and track Briar as he saunters past my table. For a heart-stopping moment, I think he’s going to sit behind me. But he winds his way through the aisles and takes his seat in the far back of the class without making eye contact with me again.
I sink back in my seat and run Addy’s conversation through my head. When the second bell rings, I almost jump out of my fucking skin. As soon as Ms. Parsons starts reading out the announcements, I smuggle my phone out of my pocket and send her a text.
Do you have evidence against Briar?
I wait, glancing up every millisecond to make sure Ms. Parson’s doesn’t catch me on my phone and decide to confiscate it.
My message sends but, by the end of homeroom, it still hasn’t been delivered to Addy’s phone. It’s not even half an hour’s wait, but those minutes could have been an eternity. A very special kind of hell that I barely survive.
As soon as I’m out the door, the bell for the next period still clanging in my ears, I’m on the phone to Addy.
My call goes straight to voice mail.
What the fuck?
I might be gone for a while…
My mind races back to everything I heard Briar and Marcus discussing last night at the church. Is her family’s business really in jeopardy? She never said she was having problems—
What, in the handful of days you’ve known her? Shocking how private people can be about money.
I laugh quietly at myself as I head for Psychology. I’m so lost in my own thoughts, it takes me a full minute to realize someone’s following me like a second shadow.
When I glance over my shoulder, Briar gives me one of his smirky grins. “What up, Angel?”
I face forward and speed up, but I’m a cat trying to outrun a cheetah. Briar skips ahead and stops in front of me. When I try to detour around him, he slides an arm out to stop me. When I try to go the other way, he does the same with his other arm.
Boxing me in with my back to the wall.
Students stream past, and none of them seem the least bit interested in my predicament.
“What do you want?” I ask, and realize my voice isn’t anything approaching sexy or seductive, which is a problem. I don’t have enough information to change tactics, not yet. Until I can get hold of Addy again, I have to keep up pretenses. I try fluttering my lashes, but I’m not sure if it works.
Briar leans in a little. “You’re joining me for lunch.”
I tamp down an automatic protest, and give him a coquettish smile. “Oh, sure. Wonderful.”
His smile cracks a bit, but then he hitches it up even higher. He grabs my chin, tilts my head back, and plants a chaste kiss on my mouth.
Even that brief contact ignites my body like a fourth of July firework special.
I’m still blinking at his retreating form when I realize I must look like a complete moron, and push away from the wall.
Lunch. Perfect. I can study Briar in his natural environment, perhaps figure out who else in his crooked brood may have had a part in Jessica’s murder.
I hardly feel stoned anymore, but as I’m about to step into Psych, I feel eyes on me again.
I want to dismiss it as paranoia, but it’s too strong. I pause outside the class, take a step back to study the number above the door as if checking if I’m at the right class. Then I slowly pan my gaze left and right, taking another step back.
I don’t think my theatrics fool Marcus though. For one, he doesn’t seem to care that I know he’s watching me.
Secondly, when our eyes lock, he gives me a smile that makes my skin crawl. He purses his lips and pantomimes a kiss before turning on his heel and walking away.
I’m so shocked I can’t move.
What the hell was that? Why would he—?
A hand closes on my shoulder. I gasp and whirl around in fright.
Mr. Veroza studies me for a moment. When he opens his mouth, I’m sure it’s to ask how my relationship with my father was.
“Class has begun, Ms. Virgo.”
I nod and hurry inside. As I turn to take my seat, my eyes just happen to lock with Briar’s.
No, it wasn’t an accident. He was glaring at the door, waiting for me to come in.
And when I sit, I can still feel his eyes on me.
Why do I suddenly regret poking the tiger?
Chapter Twenty-Six
Briar
I smile to myself as Indi takes her seat in Psych, looking flustered as fuck. Would never have thought a simple invitation to have lunch would have put such uncertainty in those green eyes of hers, but I guess there’s a lot I don’t know and can’t fathom about her. Like how on earth she thinks her attempts at playing dumb are going unnoticed.
It’s hilarious that she thinks fluttering her eyelashes at me will make me forget who she’s friends with, or how much I’ve told her. How much she knows.
I don’t get the point of this elaborate cat and mouse game, but I’m willing to play along until I grow bored enough to end it. And since I can’t get hold of Addison, Indi might be the only way I can figure out how damning the evidence is against me.
I watch her through the rest of the lesson, and from the way she keeps squirming and doing her best not to look around, I know I’m getting under her skin.
I don’t want to chat with her in class, not unless I know a teacher won’t interrupt us, but it’s taking everything I have to keep my cool until lunch.
By the time that bell rings, I feel ready to run a goddamn marathon. I throw my stuff in my locker, watching for Indi to come down the hall, but I don’t see her. I linger for a minute or two, and then head for the cafeteria.
Fuck it, I’ll wait for her there.
Ten minutes into lunch, it’s obvious she’s not coming.
Chicken shit little bitch. Honest to God, I didn’t peg her for such a coward.
“…haven’t R.S.V.P.’d, Briar?”
My attention swarms back to the present as I turn blank eyes to Dylan. “What?”
“My party, man. You gotta like—” Dylan waves a hand “—RSVP and shit.”
I almost roll my eyes, but manage to stop myself. He always takes these things too damn seriously. “Yeah, don’t think I’ll make it.”
“What? Why?”
I shrug, and start scanning the cafeteria again.
“Looking for someone?” Marcus asks. I glance over at him, and then down at his food. He hasn’t touched it and, judging from the way he’s toying with his fork, there are no immediate plans in his future involving the consumption of that congealing Al Fredo.
I shrug. “Wondering if Addison was gonna show.”
I’d texted him earlier about Addy’s new message, but he’d never even responded. Maybe he meant what he’d said about letting me sort my own shit out. I’d hate to have to remind him that what he did, he did on his volition. He’s been in a pissy mood again lately. Could be more shit at home — wouldn’t surprise me in the least. I have a feeling if I ask after his dad he’ll just fly off the handle. I don’t want to straight-up invite him for a sleepover — we’re fucking dudes, we don’t do that shit — but he needs to know he’s welcome to crash, even if we’re spitting mad at each other.
“Wanna get a drink this afternoon?”
Marcus shrugs, and eventually gives up on his food. He pushes away his tray and leans back, stretching as he surveys the cafeteria. “Sure, why not.”
I slap him on his shoulder, and he gives me a vague smile.
Well, since my little virgin decided to abscond, I might as well dig in to my sandwich. There’s one bite gone when everyone around me suddenly goes quiet.
I finish chewing, swallow, and turn in my seat.
Indi’s standing a few feet behind my side of the bench, her eyes flittering across all the guys seated around me.
Chicks are trouble, so I don’t make a habit of keeping company with them anymore.
Until now.
Until Indi.
I’m breaking all my fucking rules for her, and I still have no idea why. She’s a liar, friend of the enemy…and the most interesting person I’ve ever met.
Even now, inches shorter than every guy at this table, completely out of her element, there’s nothing approaching uncertainty in her eyes. Instead, she’s looking at my crew like she’s trying to pinpoint who will crack the first joke at her expense, and take him to task before he opens his mouth.
But no one does. Because I stand up, climb over the bench, and walk up to her.
This wasn’t part of anything I’d planned. I’d invited her over here to get her guard down, to see if I could ferret out any juicy morsels Addison might have mentioned in passing.
Now all I want to do is taste her again.
Indi’s my new coke. One kiss was all it took to get me hooked, and now I can’t go a few hours without experiencing withdrawal.
Fuck that.
Indi
That’s a shit load of eyes on me all of a sudden. I shift my feet a little, and do my best to stare down every guy at the table. I can’t wither up like a wallflower now — if I don’t show them some backbone, they’ll walk all over me.
Briar stands and comes over to me. There’s a soft light in his eyes like he’s thinking back on some fond memory, and I don’t like it. It’s not what I’ve come to expect from him. Then again, he’s about as predictable as a goddamn tornado.
Before he can reach me, I take a step back. “I have to study,” I blurt out, lifting a hand as if I would stand any chance at stopping him.
But surprisingly, he does. A frown touches his face, but in an instant his smug smile slips back on. “So why the fuck did you come all the way over here to tell me that?”
The condescending tone of his voice brings heat to my cheeks.
Motherfucking prick.
I turn on my heel, but his voice halts me a second later. “You know what, forget it. You weren’t that good a fuck anyway, virgin.”
I whirl to face him, eyes almost popping from my fucking skull. “What?”
All around me, students start laughing. Most of the guys at Briar’s table are openly smirking at me, and he turns back to them to accept a round of high-fives.
I stumble over my feet in my rush to back up and get the fuck out of this place. Why the hell would he say that? We never—
But he probably told all his friends we did. That’s what dickheads like him do, isn’t it? They lie and they exaggerate…
And they rape and they murder.
I stop in my tracks. My cheeks are on fire, blood pumping so hard through my veins I barely hear the laughs and the catcalls. I haul in a huge breath, fist my hands, and turn back to Briar.
He’s about to sit again, but when he happens to glance over his shoulder and spot me, he pauses and then slowly straightens again.
All that smugness melts from his face, leaving only wary anticipation behind.
Congratulations, you fucking psycho. You landed yourself a wild card.
I cross my arms over my chest, and cock my head. My cheeks are still warm, but I ignore them just as hard as I ignore the murmurs around me.
They grow quiet, and it seems like the entire cafeteria is straining to hear what I’m about to say.
Better make it good.
“Really? You didn’t enjoy it?”
Briar’s head dips. Now there’s open challenge in his eyes, a tiny smile teasing his lush mouth.
He’s waiting to see where I’m going with this.
I’m filled with an overwhelming sense of pride in myself. Fuck you, Prince Briar. You don’t scare me.
I shrug expressively, even lifting my hands a little. “Maybe next time you should be on top. Might last longer than a minute.”
I drop my eyes to his junk long enough that everyone can see where I’m looking. My heart’s pounding like a fucking drum, but I feel more alive than I have in a week.
Briar smirks at me and opens his mouth, but I pivot and head for the cafeteria door before he can get a word in.
The hushed silence lasts all of one second before the entire cafeteria erupts into gales of laughter. That sound puts a swagger in my step, and I’m even tempted to whistle a little as I step into the hallway.
But my excellent mood dissolves in a second when I see Mr. Denard heading in my direction. I turn around, but I’m not fast enough — he’s already spotted me.
“Ms. Virgo.”
Dammit.
I turn and give him a measly little smile. “Sir.”
“Don’t forget about detention this afternoon.” His smile is wide and full of joy. I bet he jerks off to the thought of handing out detention slips.
I hitch up my frosty smile until it feels like my face is gonna crack. “Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
His eyes narrow at my open sarcasm but he doesn’t call me out for it. Lifting his nose into the air, he strides past me without another word.
Two in one day? Damn, Indi, you’re on fire.
Briar
This is fucking bull shit. I don’t know how she’s doing it, but it has to stop. I take the jab as best I can, but she got a solid fucking hit in. I tear out a bite of my sandwich, barely chewing before I force it down my throat.
Fucking bitch.
“Hey, can I invite her to my party?” Dylan asks.
Conversation had barely picked up again, but at his question, it stalls like a car badly in need of new spark plugs.
“You wanna what?” I manage through a growl.
Dylan’s grinning at me. I’ll be the first to admit, he’s not the sharpest tool in the workshop, but he gets by just fine on his charm. “My party.”
I put down the rest of my sandwich, dust my hands, and put my palms down flat on the table. Then I’m about to tell Dylan to go fuck himself with a rusty pitchfork, but Marcus cuts in.
“Round two,” he says quietly, for my ears alone.
Round…?
I don’t turn to him — I’m too busy glaring at Dylan.
Marcus must know I didn’t fuck Indi. Is he seriously suggesting I get with her at Dylan’s party as revenge for her humiliating me?
I can’t deny — it won’t take much convincing on my part. I’ve been wanting to fuck her since day one. But she made it clear in Addy’s backyard that she’s not interested in sex. Apparently, the extent of Indi’s interest in me is to lead me on for fuck knows whatever nefarious purposes.
Still…Booze and Indi?
“Bad idea,” I murmur.
“You’ve had worse.”
I let out a soft laugh, and Dylan nods his head, his smile inching up as if he thinks I’m agreeing with him.
Fuck it, maybe I am. I’d like to see Indi at one of Dylan’s parties, if only to watch her squirm the entire night. She doesn’t strike me as the kind of chick that likes to play dress up.
“Sure, Dylan.”
My friend takes his phone from his pocket, but I hold up my hand to stop him. “I’ll do the honors.”
“Awesome!”
Indi’s going to smell this trap a mile away. And after the shit I pulled here, she’s no doubt gone cold on me. Lucky for me, I have until tomorrow night to warm her up.
“So you’re coming too?” Dylan shoves a few fries into his mouth, his eyes fixed on me.
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Indi
As luck would have it, I don’t have any classes with Briar for the rest of the day. And it drives me crazy, because I don’t even bump into him in the hall, and I’m on tenterhooks to see how he’ll respond to me after the shit I said at lunch. But no luck. By the end of the day, my ego’s deflated like a birthday balloon a day after the party.
I trudge up the stairs to detention, feeling more than a little apprehensive at seeing Briar again. By now, he’d have recovered and thought up something nasty for me in exchange for embarrassing him in front of the entire sc
hool. And I have no choice but to be here in this classroom while he sets his plan in motion.
Room 301 couldn’t have made a more perfect prison. For one, it’s fucking tiny. The curtains on the windows block out all but the most stubborn chinks of light. I spend a few seconds thinking crazy thoughts about Denard and sunlight before I spot an old-school projector in the middle of the classroom.
Yeah, that makes more sense. But only barely.
Briar’s all the way in the back, but the rest of the kids are all in front. There are seven of us in total, and one very righteous looking Denard leaning against a small desk near a projector screen.
As I enter, Denard pushes away from the desk and saunters over to me. He sticks out an arm, and for a terrifying moment I think he’s going to touch me.
Cold, dry fingers and long nails — the stuff of nightmares.
Instead, he flicks off the lights.
“You’re late, Ms. Virgo,” Denard says as he walks back to his desk.
I barely manage not to roll my eyes. “Sorry, Sir.”
He pulls his mouth to the side, but then flicks his fingers at the middle of the row of seats. “You can make up the time tomorrow. I have somewhere to be this afternoon.”
Coffin shopping, perhaps?
There are enough chinks in the curtains to allow a little ambiance to filter through, but I still bump my knee on one of the seats as I weave my way past the filled seats. The closest open one is only two seats away from Briar, but it will have to do. As I turn around to sit, I happen to catch his eye.
His expression doesn’t change in the slightest.
I sit hurriedly and pile my books on the tiny desk. Dammit, I thought I could use this time to study. I need to complete last weekend’s assignment and hand it in to Mr. Veroza tomorrow. Then I have five chapters of Computer Science to catch up on. But it looks like we’re about to be subjected to an educational video made in the eighties and narrated by a chain-smoking pedophile.
“So I’ve been wondering…you really a virgin, or what?”
