Something I’m not sure I’d have done.
“Spy on Harper? I mean, if you want to put it so bluntly, then, yes.”
Nova folds her arms across her chest and points to the building where her next class is. “I have to go, but this conversation, it isn’t done.”
My gaze tightens. There’s no sense in arguing with Nova and upsetting her.
“Yeah, I’ll catch you later.” I lean in to give her a kiss, and she turns her head to the side, letting me kiss her cheek.
Oh, fuck, she’s pissed.
“Catch you later.” I force a smile and watch as she saunters into the building without so much as glancing back at me.
The girl is definitely angry with me.
I head for the crosswalk and wait at the intersection for the light to change. “How was lunch with your little friend?” Henry asks. There’s a menacing tone in his voice.
My shoulders tense and I spin around, grumbling under my breath when Henry is staring slightly up at me.
I’ve got several inches on him.
I wanted to be wrong. I was hoping that perhaps the question was directed at someone else. But it’s just the two of us waiting to cross the street.
“Excuse me?” I growl. “My little friend?” What the fuck is he trying to say about Nova?
Henry smirks and tilts his head, staring up at me. “You should let her know, if she wants a passing grade, it’s going to take a date with me.”
“The hell it will!” I yank his shirt and tug him toward me.
He’s lucky I’m not shoving him into the street to get hit by a car.
“What are you—” Henry looks startled as I get up in his face.
“Nova made it crystal clear she isn’t interested in you. Leave her the fuck alone!” I shout, spit flying as I can no longer keep my temper from going off the rails.
“Get your grimy paws off me.” Henry shoves me away and scoffs as he wipes the imaginary dust from his shirt. “I’ll have sex with whomever I damn well please.” The cocky grin on his face is deplorable.
“Nova made it clear to leave her the fuck alone.”
Henry doesn’t stop smiling. “Do you think that’s going to stop me? Girls always like playing hard to get. Nova isn’t any different. Her no absolutely means yes.”
I slam my fist across his face with an uppercut and then knee him in the groin. He doubles over in agony.
Good.
“Touch her and die,” I growl at Henry before I storm across the street, the crosswalk momentarily clear.
“You’ll pay for this!” Henry shouts.
“What happened to your knuckles?” Nova’s fingers are featherlight as she grazes the slight discoloration.
I was hoping she wouldn’t notice, let alone ask about it, but it’s kept the tension between us at bay. I suppose she’s forgotten or maybe forgiven me about earlier.
“It’s best if you don’t ask.” I stand and head into the kitchen, grabbing us both a glass of water and a snack. I’m using it as a distraction. We haven’t even gotten started, and I’m already bailing on her.
She’s going to need help studying if Henry has any say regarding her grades.
I grab a bowl of grapes and two bottles of water, bringing it back to the table to study.
