He tilts his chin toward Roman and the guys. “You looked cozy.”
I fold my arms over my chest. “And you look mad.”
He shakes his head. “Nah. Not mad. Disappointed. But why should I be, right?”
“Excuse me?”
He stands and moves closer to me, his mouth so close his lips brush along the shell of my ear. “Every girl in this school wants to spread their legs for Roman Valdez. I just assumed you wouldn’t be one of them. My bad. From what I hear, it sounds like you’re screwing all three.”
EIGHTEEN
Allie
I’m still reeling from Aaron’s words when I get home from school. I have nothing but time on my hands so, of course, I stew. I can’t believe his nerve. I’m not some whore. I don’t sleep around. Roman is literally the second person I’ve slept with and I sure as hell don’t allow myself to get passed around like some hood rat. I am not one ofthosegirls.
I pace my room, leaving a worn path in the pale beige carpet, and I finally decide enough is enough. I can’t let his opinion consume me. I know who I am. If he wants to be an ass, let him. I don’t need him.
Powering up my laptop, I catch up on some homework before touching up my resume and sending it off to at least a dozen local businesses. I need a job. All this downtime is driving me insane. I need to find a way to stay busy. I spot the sneakers I bought at Target and an idea forms in my head.
Stripping out of the white skinny jeans and lavender blouse I wore today, I throw on a pair of leggings, a band shirt, and my new Target sneakers. I curse when I realize I don’t own a sports bra but figure what I’m wearing will do. Throwing my hair up in a messy bun, I tuck my phone into the hidden zipper pouch on the side of my leggings and grab my wireless earbuds and a water bottle.
Janessa sent me a calendar notification earlier letting me know Gerald has requested my presence at dinner this evening. I confirmed that I’d be there, though I’m still not sure wherethereis exactly, since under location it said TBD, but I do know the time. She scheduled dinner for six, so I have a little over an hour before I need to be back in order to have enough time to shower and get ready.
Jogging down the stairs, I tuck in my headphones, blaring some old-school Linkin Park.Numbdrowns out my thoughts as I head outside and let myself get sucked into the heavy thrum of music. It’s still fairly warm, despite it being November, and a thin sheen of sweat coats my body within the first fifteen minutes of my run. My breathing is heavy, my legs already cramping, but I push myself to keep going. I need this. I’ve never been much of a runner but already I can tell I’ll be doing this again.
Fifteen minutes turns to thirty before I stumble to a stop. Bracing my hands on my knees I suck in lungfuls of air. The sun is setting, suburban streetlights illuminate the streets. A car rumbles in the distance, growing closer, but I don’t bother looking up until I realize it’s slowed to a stop and is now idling beside me.
I stand to my full height, propping my hands on the back of my hips as I try and catch my breath, while at the same time, I’m ready to run hard and fast should I need to. But then I see it's Aaron in his WRX.
Mouth pressed into a tight line, he looks me up and down. “You look like shit.”
I flip him off, not even bothering with civility at this point.
He leans over and opens the passenger side door. “Come on. I’ll give you a lift home.”
“I’m only a few blocks away.”
He lifts a single brow as if to say,so?
“Fine.” I climb in, immediately sinking into the cool leather seats. Cold AC fans my face and I sigh, closing my eyes.
“I didn’t realize you were a runner.”
“I’m not. Just … needed to clear my head.”
He’s quiet so I open my eyes and glance at him through my peripheral. He pulls up to the mansion that is Gerald’s elaborate home and I move to open the door. “Thanks for the lift.”
Before I can step out, he halts me with a hand on my arm. “Wait.”
I stop and turn to face him, leaving the door open.
He scrubs both hands down his face before dragging his gaze back to me. “I hate the Devils.”
My anger flares and I suddenly remember what he said to me earlier and why I should still be pissed off with him. “Noted.” I get out and step away from the car, slamming the door behind me.
The engine shuts off and Aaron’s door opens and closes, but I’m already heading for the front door. “Allie, wait,” he calls out, but I don’t bother stopping. I’m almost to the door when it swings open and Gerald’s stern face greets me, bringing me to a hard stop.
“Alejandra, is that you shouting out here?”
