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The day after that conversation, Neo and Jagger busted into the cabin and found us naked in front of the living room fireplace.
They pulled Crew away and did or said something that eradicated every plan we ever made.
“Yeah,” I say to Riley, lifting my head to look at her. “Crew was once a good guy.”
* * *
Lunchtime rollsaround much too soon. Not that it matters. I’ve seen the guys in every single one of my classes today—which I’m sure was orchestrated—so sitting beside them at lunch shouldn’t be an issue.
I’m not one to back out of a deal, even if it is with the kings of darkness and disorder.
Of all the things they could have bartered with, they agreed to give me a ride home last night as long as I ate lunch with them for the next month. We’ll just be stuffing our faces in silence, so I agreed. Saved my ass from getting lost in the woods alone.
“This way,” Riley nods toward a table full of girls, her tray in hand.
I look to my left and see Neo and Jagger glaring at me while Crew tips back a carton of milk with the top completely torn off. “Actually, I think I’m gonna sit over there.” I angle my head toward the guys.
Riley blows out a hefty breath of laughter. “You’re not serious?”
Slowly, I nod my head, lips pressed together.I wish I wasn’t.
“Do you…want me to sit with you?”
“No. That’s okay. You go ahead and sit with your friends. I’ll eat fast and come join you soon.”
“Look, Scarlett. If this is about last night. I’m sorry I didn’t stick up for you with the guys or say goodbye before I left. It’s just that I can’t stand up to them, ya know?”
“No, Ry. It’s not that. I don’t blame you at all. I know how they are. Just please be careful with them because they know you won't stand up to them, which means they’ll take advantage if you allow them to.”
“Of course. Same goes for you, right?”
I’m trying.I’m really trying hard to show them I won’t cower. “Yeah. I know,” I say, tone tranquil.
Riley leans close and whispers, “They’re not threatening you, are they?”
I look over at the guys, two of the three still watching me intently, before I return my attention to Riley. “Would it matter if they were? I mean, they are the leaders of this place. Not much anyone could do about it.”
Riley nods in response. “I guess you’re right.”
I flash her a tight smile before turning toward the guys.
Crew’s shoving a forkful of gravy-smothered turkey in his mouth when his eyes lift. “What the hell is she doing here?” he asks, mouth full.
I set my tray down and pull out a chair at the round table. There are empty ones on either side of me, and the three guys are seated beside one another on the opposite side.
“She’s eating with us for a while,” Neo tells him.
“Why?” Crew drawls, jamming his fork into his food.
“Because we asked her to,” Jagger chimes in.
My eyes roll as I poke at my salad. My appetite is suddenly gone, but I know I’ll regret it later if I don’t eat.
Since last night, the weight on my shoulders has been a little heavier, and it’s harder to hold my head high. I feel sick about what I allowed. I’m more upset with myself than I am with them. I should’ve known better.
Now I’m sitting here like a little mouse while they’re probably getting off again on my humiliation. Wouldn’t surprise me if they were jerking each other off under the table.
I don’t lift my eyes. I don’t even turn my head. As they converse about the shower ordeal, I just eat and pretend they’re not there.
