Page 12 of Make You Beg

“Mads?”

This time, it’s Jasmin asking.

And that’s when it sinks in. I’ve been ogling, too, hypnotized by the jerk.

I hate this and the way my body reacts to the sight of him.

Last week, we moved into our new house. Kayden and Lucas came from Thorned Crowne, a neighboring town, and he and Mom found the perfect place. Apparently, Mom and Lucas discussed which would be the best option, for Mom and me to move or for them to come here. And given the fact that Lucas works remotely and is a freelance businessman, they decided that coming to us would be more convenient.

Which is good for me, because we’ve got our whole lives in Clearwater. My friends and school—I grew up here.

When Kayden ignored me completely for the whole week after being a jerk and almost breaking my hand during our first meeting, I thought I’d be okay. That he understood the assignment. To each our own. I wouldn’t have to deal with him. I don’t know why I got the impression he’d stay at his old school. In hindsight, it doesn’t make sense. I should have expected this.

“Eh,” I blurt out. I’m an expert at pretending things don’t affect me. “Not my type.”

I intentionally forget to mention we live in the same house and that we’re kind of family now. No one will know if I don’t say so. He’s an A’gosto, I’m a De Luna. There’s nothing to link us.

***

During lunch time, I calm my ass down. Truth be told, Kayden hasn’t done anything except have the grip of a psychopath. Ignoring me is probably the best thing he can do for me. Pretend we don’t have to live alongside each other. He’ll befriend the hockey team, and I’ll keep going on about my life.

I just wish I were more submissive than that.

In my head, I’m thinking that since there have been no vows exchanged, things can still change.

This isn’t my new reality yet. I can change it if I try hard enough.

I know Mom’s doing what’s best for us, but since when do we need men to dictate our lives?

Buying us things and making us rely on them?

Okay, so Lucas is nice to us, and he’s gifted me a few things since we moved in together. Perfumes, a new laptop for school, an iPhone, and more pink dresses in the vein of what I wore to that first meeting. Which I’m forced to wear to show my gratitude in front of him.

Like the long, baby pink dress I’m wearing now, paired up with black and white Vans to balance out all the pink.

Thanks, Mom.

All in all, she thinks having Lucas in our lives is a good influence, and my wardrobe is more delicate than ever.

I’m glad my friends at least accept my newly found fashion style instead of making fun of me.

But I’m still not willing to give up on the idea of having my old life back.

That’s why I tell Kira and Jasmin I have something to do, and go my own way instead of sitting with them at the table.

I catch Kayden easily, of course, he isn’t exactly difficult to see. Tall, broad-shouldered, piercing blue eyes, villainous aura, and red horns sticking out of his perfectly dark, wild hair. Okay, maybe not the last one, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s got some sick dark secret hidden behind his bad boy image.

He’s sitting at the table with the jocks, already feeling at home.

Our eyes meet as he chugs a small milk carton. He swings a hand my way, his fingers guiding me to him.

Is he…calling me?

I take careful steps toward him, lunch tray in my hands, trying not to seem eager.

Maybe he’s also thinking of a plan to break our parents apart? To go back to our previous lives?

He surely wants to talk.