“What’s going on over here?” A man’s voice booms through the hallway. “Break it up. Everyone get to class.” The hall empties just as the first bell rings and everyone heads to their first period.
Silvia waits for a beat before she, too, leaves, but not before I see the hate-filled look in her eyes telling me things between us are far from over. If anything, Emilio stepping in only added fuel to the fire. If she didn’t hate me before, she certainly does now.
Mr. Alvarez—the school principal—comes into view, eyeing Emilio and me warily. “Mr. Chavez, Ms. Ramirez, get to class.” He claps his hands and I jump and move to do as I’ve been told but Emilio’s grip on my wrist stops me from making my escape.
“That shit happens again, you find me. Got it?” His dark brown eyes meet mine.
“Why?” I'm so confused as to why he’d help me in the first place. Is this because I slept with his friend? Emilio comes off like the nice guy, sure. He reminds me a lot of my friend Felix back home. Which is how I know Emilio never makes a move that isn’t calculated and he had no reason to step in just now and help me.
He frowns at me. “That’s a dumb-ass question, vanilla. What do you mean, why?”
I shrug my shoulders and rather than answering him, I say, “Fine. I’ll find you.”
“See that you do.” Satisfied, he releases me and we both head off to our first class. I spot Roman waiting for me outside the door leading into English. He doesn’t say anything. His dark brown eyes meet mine but I can’t get a read on him. I know he saw what just happened but whether he cares or not is a complete mystery to me. I wish I could crack his hard exterior shell. I’m still pissed at him. He was a complete ass Saturday morning and never bothered apologizing for it afterward, not that I’d expected him to. However, I did expect him to talk to me again, but I got nothing. Not even a goodbye on Sunday as everyone drove out heading back into town.
Without a word he turns and heads into class. I sigh. I do not have the energy to deal with both Silvia and Roman today.
By lunch, the entire school is buzzing with news that the Devils have claimed me. And not just one Devil. No, though that would have been more than enough, but Emilio made sure to sayoursas if he speaks for all of them, making me the property of not one asshole but three. I’m not entirely sure what beingclaimedby them means, but the stares and whispers have definitely increased tenfold. If I thought this morning was bad, the afternoon is even worse.
So much for flying under the radar till graduation.
I grab my lunch as quickly as possible, intending to take it and hide out in the library, but Dominique puts an end to that idea when he lifts my tray from my hands and with his own, carries them both over to the table in the corner forcing me to follow if I want to eat. I almost consider letting him just have my food. It’s not like I plan on eating much of it anyway.
I’ve lost six pounds since mom died. I should eat more but I just can’t seem to stomach it. Though I had no problems eating thealbóndigasRoman made for us.
Dom sets my tray down on the table beside Roman before rounding to the other side and taking a seat next to Emilio. No one says anything about my arrival, they just dive into conversation about an upcoming game like nothing is weird about me sitting with them.
Alrighty then.
I poke at my lunch—a chicken patty with mashed potatoes and gravy on the side. The lunch lady said it was chicken fried steak day but nothing about this looks like chicken fried steak. Still, I make an effort to swallow a bite before using my fork to move things around so it at least looks like I ate something.
I spot Aaron a few tables away, his gaze trained on me. When he realizes I’m looking at him, he flicks on his mirrored shades and turns back to the guys he was talking to.
I deflate and look away only to see Roman’s gaze lasered in on me. His mouth is set in a hard line as dark brown eyes search mine. “Something going on between you and Henderson?” he asks.
I roll my eyes. “He’s my friend and he doesn’t seem all that fond of you three. That answer your question?”
Roman nods and sucks his bottom lip into his mouth before throwing an arm over my shoulder and giving Aaron a fuck-you grin. God. Guys can be such assholes sometimes.
I shrug out from under his hold. “Stop trying to stir up trouble,” I tell him, smacking his arm.
He grips my chin and turns my face toward him. I lick my lips and his eyes track the movement, hunger in his gaze. “Allie, haven’t you learned I’m nothing but trouble?”
His head dips and he presses his lips to mine. At first, it’s a soft press but then his teeth are tugging on my bottom lip, urging me to open for him. I do and his tongue darts in for a quick taste that leaves me reeling in my seat.
He pulls back, cocky arrogance stamped on his face before I catch him looking over my shoulder. I don’t need to turn to know he and Aaron are locked in a stare down. My cheeks heat and anger unfurls inside of me.
“When you decide to stop being a jerk, let me know.” I stand to leave the table but his hand around the back of my thigh stops me.
“Sit down.”
I snort and take a step but his grip only tightens. “Allie—” there’s a warning in his voice, one I choose to one hundred percent ignore.
“I’ll catch up with you guys later.”
I pull away and make my way over to Aaron’s table, knowing Roman would never follow me. Guys like him can’t be seen chasing after a girl, let alone a no one like me. When I reach Aaron, his glasses are still on so I reach down and push them up over the top of his head.
“Hey.” I pause, suddenly unsure of what to say to him. The drive back from Shadle Creek had been fine. I thought we had things sorted but judging by the look on his face, he’s still pissed.
