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Of course, Brady is entirely oblivious to any of this, so I just smile and hold his hand as I watch her face go red, and imagine steam coming out of her ears before her whole head explodes like a cartoon character.
Serves her right.
Sebastian is texting someone when we sit down at the table. “Hey, man. What’s going on? Missed you yesterday. How was family dinner?”
Bash looks up, smiling at me before he answers Brady. “It was complicated. But isn’t everything when it comes to my family?” Sebastian has a love-hate relationship with his family. I wish my family was closer, I think Bash wishes he could put more distance between his.
Tiffany dramatically drops down at our table.
“Good morning, all.” Tiff seems full of energy, like it isn’t too early on Monday morning.
“Hey, Tiff. How was your weekend? I thought we would have seen you at our house yesterday.” Brady and Bash aren’t paying any attention to the two of us now.
“Cooper and I got in an argument. We’re taking a break.”
Completely shocked by this declaration, I choke on the water I’m sipping. “I’m sorry, what?”
“We got in a fight Saturday night. Talk to your brother. It’s his story. Anyway, I wanted to talk to you. Has something else happened with you and Aria? She bitched about you this weekend. More than usual. She made it obvious that you are public enemy number one.”
My mind is still reeling from the news that Cooper and Tiffany broke up, and he never said anything. But Tiffany has more surprises this morning. “Yeah, she doesn’t like me very much.”
“No, kidding. She freaking hates you. She had her sights set on Brady all last year. When she got back from her summer abroad, she thought that she would finally be the one to get Brady Ryan into a relationship. I’m pretty sure she’s told the whole school you stole that from her. Not that anyone believes it. I just wanted to get your side of it.”
“There really is no side. I haven’t spoken to her in weeks. I just ignore her, and she hates me.”
“That’s what happens when you snag one of the Kings of Kroydon Hills. You’re new, pretty, the daughter of a pro football coach, and you have the most popular boys in the school at your house all of the time. Girls get jealous. I can’t seriously be telling you anything new.”
“No, nothing new there. I’m just way too busy to play therapist to an overly entitled brat. Things are falling into place for me here. I’m finally starting to love my life the way that I want to.” Glancing at Brady, I smile and lean into Tiff. “Brady is amazing, and Aria’s right, he’s worth the fight, but so many things are finally starting to click. Brady is a piece of that, but so is dance and this new art class I’m taking. I’ve just started applying to colleges. I refuse to give her the attention she wants because she’s throwing a temper tantrum.”
Tiff leans away from me as if she’s surprised by the strength in my voice. “Well, damn. Who are you, and what have you done with Natalie Sinclair? I kinda feel like I’m seeing my baby grow up.”
Shaking my head, I throw my highlighter at her. “You are such a smart ass!”
* * *
That class is the first class in a very long week. There are papers assigned, projects given, and a few pop quizzes spread throughout the week. By the end of the day, Wednesday, Brady, Bash, and I are standing at my locker, discussing an assigned chemistry project. We are planning on working together tonight at my house. Tiff didn’t want to join us. Murphy and Cooper walk up to get the guys moving for practice. Cooper is handing me the keys to the Jeep, and none of us are paying attention when Aria walks by.
“Awe isn’t that cute. Are you spreading your legs for all of them, Natalie?” The venom drips from her lips.
Cooper spins on her as she continues to walk away. “What the fuck is your problem, you stupid whore?”
Brady is almost eerily quiet when he answers her, staring daggers into her back as she raises her hand and gives him the finger. “Just because you will spread your legs for anything with a dick, doesn’t mean everyone does, Aria. Do yourself a favor and crawl back into your fucking hole.” He grabs my hand and starts pulling me toward the doors in the opposite direction of where Aria has stopped at her locker.
We are half a hallway away when I hear, “Aww. Make sure to protect the poor little bitch while you can, Brady.”
Slamming his locker shut, I hear Cooper roar, “Threaten my sister again, and you won’t like what happens.”
When we get outside, I yank my hand free of his. “What the hell, QB! You didn’t even give me a chance to defend myself.” I’m trying not to cause a scene in the parking lot, but I am pissed.
“Nat, I’m sorry.”
Cooper comes storming through the doors, with Bash and Murphy hot on his heels.
“Listen, guys, that was a nasty girl dealing with jealousy issues mixed with anger issues, and I’m sure some other shit going on. You all freaking out on her in school is exactly what girls like that feed off of. Attention. Don’t feed into it.”
Coop moves toward me, not backing down. “Sorry, Nattie, but I’m not going to let anyone speak to you that way.”
“Jesus, could you all listen to me for a moment. I might suck at dealing with shitty guys. I own that. But, dealing with jealous girls is a whole other thing. Come on, Coop. We’ve been in the public eye our whole life. Do you really think I can’t handle Aria Marino? Give me some credit. I’ve got what she wants. I’ve got Brady, and I’ve got all of you in my corner willing to defend me. That has to be killing her.Ignore. Her.It will hurt her worse than anything you could possibly say.”
