Shit. Maybe he’s been acting so off because he feels guilty about all the things we have to do to bring him back to life. I’d probably be devastated if I had to watch any of the guys fall apart like I have simply to save me.
“It’s going to be okay,” I assure him, wanting to reach out to comfort him, but unsure if it would help. He hasn’t attempted to touch me since that night.
“I know,” he replies. Looking up at me from under his lashes, he flashes his sweet smile. The one that turns my heart soft and mushy every time I see it.
Now I want to touch him for completely different reasons. My cheeks burn as I recall the dream I had in Phoenix and all the ways I pretty much had my way with him. I’ve been trying not to think about why I imagined him with no experience, as if my subconscious demanded him to only be mine. Which is a little shitty of me since all the other guys were in my dream too.
And we’ll be unpacking all of that later.
I know I’ve been staring at him too long when my bladder reminds me why I was headed this way to begin with. Awkwardly, I motion to the bathroom door, hoping he doesn’t notice that I’m somewhat breathless. “I, uh, have to go, so if you want to hang out with one of the other guys now, that’s, um, fine.”
He blinks and clears his throat, his gaze bouncing around the hall again. “I can just, um, wait out here for you, if you want. Unless that’s creepy. Is it creepy?”
“No, it’s fine. We can walk to Study Hall together,” I offer with a laugh while shaking my head, and strands of my hair fall from my messy bun. The bell announcing the start of class rings. “And the halls should be clear.”
Quickly, I escape into the girl’s bathroom before I say something dumb, and shove my phone into my back pocket with a silent prayer I don’t drop it in the toilet. I would’ve put it in my backpack except Connor nabbed it, insisting that he carry it to class for me.
He’s also been a barrel of fun this week since I still have absolutely no idea what to do with him. I love him—but also love the other guys. I kind of understand why he did what he did, but it was still very much not cool. I’m seventeen and have a mate bond. What am I supposed to do with that?Side note—no one has experienced the true, devastating power of puppy eyes until they’ve had an Alpha wolf shifter look at you like you’re literally the center of his world.One thing I haven’t done is tell anyone, because I’m pretty sure that would be a disaster.Especiallyif my Aunt Mildred finds out. Just the thought of it has a shiver running up my spine.
I head into the farthest stall to do my business, and right before I flush, I hear two girls walk into the bathroom gossiping loudly.
“All I’m saying is bitch must have some type of magic pussy to leash four guys at the same time,” says the first girl, her shoes clacking against the tile floor.
Two mean girls talking trash in the girls’ bathroom? I must have wandered into a CW show when I wasn’t looking. Mentally, I groan. Is it too much to ask that they could possibly be talking about another person that’s rumored to be in a relationship with four guys?
“Who would want to? So gross,” comments the other girl from somewhere near the sinks. “Especially since two of them are Nolan Campbell and Donovan Alvarez. They’re like walking petri dishes for every STD out there. Only sad, pathetic girls that have no self-respect sleep with them.”
Nope. They’re talking about me. Also, WTF, slut-shame much?
“You’re just mad because Donovan left you at the Whitaker party,” Girl One teases, standing near the stall beside mine. “You know if he asked, you’d be on your back in seconds.”
“But I wouldn’t date him,” Girl Two scoffs, tapping her foot. “Those two are like a right of passage. You fuck them because everyone has and then move on.”
“Mmm, I might risk it for Nolan Campbell. He’s hot and his parents are loaded,” Girl One states with heavy mirth in her otherwise boring voice and then walks into the stall.
Listening to them, my blood starts to boil, and my hands curl into tight fights. In my mind I can still hear the lifeless tone in Nolan’s voice when he confessed what Gina had done to him. How his whole body went rigid talking about how she’d touched him without his consent. How he sneered that guys are supposed to always want it. I think about how Donovan is reluctant to get close to people, knowing he’ll have to leave them soon. How he already embraces death. And these two talk about them like they’re just bodies to be used without feeling. That they’re not worth knowing.
“Do you think she’s done it with both of them at the same time?” Girl One giggles while doing her business.
“Like at thesamesame time? As in all three of them… Ewwww,” Girl Two squeals, her feet pattering in place.
“Rumor is that Nolan swings both ways, so it may not be her they’re double teaming,” Girl One jeers, while Girl Two makes retching noises.
“Never. Not in a million years ever,” Girl Two insists bitterly. “Any guy I date better be into me andonlyme.”
My anger starts to gain teeth, dipping into the well of my magic. It senses my distaste for these girls. My outrage that they’d dare judge, and it’s because of this kind of closed-mindedness that likely leads to why Nolan and Donovan hide their relationship. And my magic wants to help.
They have no right to judge. How dare they talk about wanting a one-night stand with either of them, gossiping that Nolan and Donovan aren’t worth developing real relationships with, but then have the audacity to criticize how they choose to share themselves with their girlfriend! I mean, I’m not actually their girlfriend, and none of what they’re talking about has actually happened, but these two twat-waffles don’t know that.
Finishing in the stall, Girl One walks out to wash her hands. “You know the real surprise is Kaleb. Mr. Perfect is a freeeeeak,” she sings and laughs again.
Shut up!
“Everyone is saying that’s the real reason he broke up with Rachel,” Girl Two shares smugly. “That he’s some kind of pervert that likes to watch, and she refused to sleep with his friends.”
“Poor, sweet Rachel. Never had a chance,” Girl One mocks, and they both chortle like the raging bitches they are.
Shut up! Shut up!
