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“I don’t think I’ll ever get used to the way you guys talk. High school isn’t supposed to be like this.”
“It is what it is. You’ve got to learn to stand up for yourself.”
“Before I even knew what was happening, she’d jumped me.”
I wiped the blood away. The nosebleed wasn’t so bad as it had already stopped. “You’re going to have some lovely bruises.”
She touched her arm where the shirt was torn. “I don’t know why I bother. I ironed the damn thing last night so it looked really good.”
“I’d only iron if you got the punch to back it the fuck up,” Gael said, coming into the bathroom.
Vadik, Caleb, and River followed him.
“You shouldn’t be in here.”
“There shouldn’t be any more trouble,” Caleb said. He put his arm around my waist and kissed my temple.
One by one, all four of the guys did the same.
Ashley’s mouth turned into the perfect O. “Wait, hold on a second, are you like dating all of these guys?”
“No,” I said.
“Yes,” all four of the guys said.
Ashley smiled. “Wow, just wow.”
“Yeah, you remember that wow, and learn how to look after yourself,” Gael said. “If you think it’s only Lauren who has it in for you, you’ve got another thing coming.”
“Why?” I asked.
River had my bag and I opened it up, taking out a clean shirt. I was bigger than Ashley, but it would have to do.
“It means she’s on the football guys’ list to fuck,” River said.
I groaned.
“I don’t … that’s not me.”
“Yeah, well, if any of the football team start behaving nice, run the opposite way,” I said. I handed her the shirt and pushed her toward the toilet stall.
I didn’t know why I wanted to protect her, but for whatever reason, the Monsters were behind me, and for that, I was grateful.
Chapter Twelve
Gael
The new girl was a no one.
Sure, she was pretty and any other time pre-Emily, I’d have fucked her and enjoyed it. I’d have also been in the football guys’ position at the helm of humiliating her. Only, I had Emily. The way our girl took care of her, damn it, she turned me on. Taking care of someone shouldn’t inspire how turned-on I was getting. It was fucking wrong, but I couldn’t help it. Emily had looked like a fierce warrior.
I knew none of my friends had admitted this yet, but I loved her. Fuck, it felt good to think it.
I loved Emily Crane. I’d die for this girl.
Which was why I’d come to the library during Ashley’s free period. I’d charmed her schedule out of the receptionist. Not that it had taken much. I scared a lot of people. I had a lot of enemies with what I liked to do for fun. It wasn’t my fault women threw themselves at me.
I spotted Ashely’s study area. Her bag was left open while there were vultures close by. Damn, this girl had a death wish. This wasn’t like any other school and the way she was going, she wouldn’t survive an entire month, let alone a term here. She was going to get herself killed.
I walked to the bookshelves, and when I saw my target, I advanced toward her.
She turned with a chemistry book in her hand and a smile on her lips, which quickly turned into a frown when she saw me coming.
Good. I want her afraid of me.
She stepped back.
There was nowhere else for her to go. I had her surrounded and damn if her fear wasn’t pretty.
I put my hands on either side of her head. “What game are you playing?” I asked.
“I-I-I don’t know what you mean?” She looked pale, like she was going to throw up.
“You’re not stupid. I saw your grades. To the outside world, you have every single right to be here, but I want to know what your game is when it comes to Emily.”
She shook her head. Her mouth opening and closing like a damn fish.
“Talk.” I snapped my fingers, wanting her to speak so I could move the fuck on.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She still stumbled over her words. “I like Emily.”
“Let me get this straight so we’re clear, if you hurt her, if anything you do even comes close to touching her, I will fucking kill you. Do you understand?” I asked.
“I don’t—”
“Understand?” I wasn’t playing. This wasn’t a game to me. Emily’s safety was my highest priority. Not letting this girl feel safe and warm. I didn’t know why Emily cared so much. She didn’t answer fast enough for my liking. Wrapping my fingers around her neck, I squeezed just a little.
I wasn’t going to kill her. It would be so easy for me to do it. To cut off her oxygen and watch the life drain out of her. I wondered if anyone would really miss her. My parents wouldn’t miss me. If anything, my dad would be pissed that all his hard work had been for nothing.
