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“Yeah, Ella,” JT said with a cocky grin I wanted to smash with my fist. “It’s okay.”
“You’re such a jerk,” I fumed, shooting an accusatory glance over my shoulder at a pink-cheeked Luca.
“Aw, don’t get your panties in a twist, Ella. I know you have a soft spot for Casper here.”
“Ella . . .” My name left Barry’s lips in a soft caress, while his eyes pleaded with me to stop. I wouldn’t.
“Hisnameis Barry.”
“Yeah, sure, Barry. Like I said.” JT shrugged. “Listen, I know you have this lame save-a-nerd-thing going, but maybe you should give it a rest. It’s really unbecoming, and it’s not going to do you any favors socially. I mean, look at what happened with Topher.” He nodded toward where Topher sat, his forehead pressed against Penelope’s. The couple looked so in love, it made my heart ache with want.
“Yeah, he looks miserable,” I spat.
JT stepped closer, and I had no idea if it was to intimidate me or because he was done with Barry, but I didn’t care. I stood my ground, chin lifted, as he said, “Just because Luca’s got a thing for you all of a sudden and you’re kinda hot, doesn’t mean you’re immune to social suicide.”
My lips pinched into a tight line. “Like I give a sh—”
“Is there a problem, JT?” Luca’s voice sliced through the tension as he stepped forward. “Because I think we’re done here.”
It was about damn time.
“Nah, man.” JT glanced from me to Luca. “You just need to keep your girl in check.”
“I’m not his girl,” I snapped.
“Uh oh.” JT winced, then leaned toward Luca and whispered, “Maybe she has a thing for nerds?” He clapped him on the shoulder, then started toward their usual spot in the lounge as he called out, “Good luck with that, man.”
Luca waited a beat before he turned back to me. “Sorry about that.”
“He’s such an asshole,” I said, my gaze hot on his back.
“He didn’t really mean anything by it.”
My head jerked up to Luca, sure he was joking, only he stared back at me, his expression sober.
You’ve gotta be kidding me.
“You coming?” Luca asked, tipping his head in the direction of the lounge where I knew JT and Mikey would be waiting.
He seriously thought I’d want to sit with them now?
At my hesitation, he added, “Or we can sit in the courtyard.”
“Actually, I think I’ll just stay here.”
Luca’s gaze flickered to Barry and back. “You sure?”
“I’m sure.”
I didn’t miss the way he winced.
“Alright, then. See ya after school?”
“Sure,” I said, even though I wasn’t sure how I felt about spending more time with him. He barely acknowledged Barry, and he was the one who deserved the apology, not me.
Once he was gone, I spun around and sank down in the seat across from Barry. “You shouldn't let them talk to you like that.”
“They’ve been doing it for years. No reason they’d stop now. Besides, I probably bring it on myself.”
