AllFreeNovel
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That embarrassing collar went straight into the dumpster behind the trailer park when school was over.
It’s all hell, but at least the cash I need is coming in with each completed trial of willpower versus my battered pride.
Devlin always delivers, even when he toys with me first. He pays me in stacks of crisp bills, the unmarked envelopes stuck in my locker, or in my beat up junker. I won’t even fathom how he manages to get in without the key. His world is automatic electric systems on luxury cars, so how would he know to use something to jimmy the door on the Corolla beneath the window seal? It’s a small mercy that he locks it when he’s done.
The bastard is like a twisted Batman, a dark knight that will turn on me the second I stop playing by his rules.
After I pull into a parking space in the student lot, a fresh envelope tucked between my seat catches my eye when I go to unbuckle the seatbelt. I must have missed it.
“Damn him,” I mumble, plucking it from the hiding spot.
Flipping it open, I count out four hundred bucks for pulling the fire alarm yesterday. I’m lucky I’ve mastered the art of being light on my feet. Principal Bishop almost caught me, but I was able to scurry far enough down the hall before he found me standing next to the pulled alarm.
I’m thinking of buying Mom a new mattress with the money to help her get more rest. She’s been incredibly pale and worn lately, it’s really making me worry about her. I don’t want to see her get so bad we have to go to the hospital for another bout of exhaustion. Mom has never had the best health, but the transition in seasons doesn’t usually hit her so hard. This year it’s taking a brutal toll on her.
I have to do whatever I can to make her life easier.
There’s a note tucked between the twenties. My gut clenches.
Your “car” is an insult to real cars everywhere.
His cynical voice fills my head as I read the note. My brows lower.
“Asshole.”
It irritates me that he thinks he can insult the car I put blood, sweat, and tears into saving for. The day I bought it was one of the happiest of my life, and I can count those days on one hand.
So what if it’s not a flashy luxury brand? The only people that can afford that are the stuck up rich kids. The rest of us work damn hard to get what we can.
It’s called surviving.
I jump when I get out of the car. Devlin is parked in the spot opposite mine, waiting for me with sunglasses that probably cost more than a month’s rent at the trailer park. He’s propped against the back of his car, palms resting on either side of his Range Rover’s bumper, long legs crossed at the ankle. I must have been really daydreaming to miss him when I pulled in. Damn it.
I was too busy making a mental tally of the money I’ve saved so far from being Devlin’s bitch.
“What, not feeling your ugly red compensation for your dick size today?”
Devlin’s lips twitch up. “Thinking about my cock again, sticky fingers? The Range Rover is more spacious.” He nods to the SUV. “Climb in the back and I’ll show you what you can’t stop thinking about.”
A few students passing by on their way to the steps snicker. One guy high fives Devlin, which he accepts with a wide, self-assured smile.
I can only guess Devlin changes up his rides to flex his absurd wealth, shoving it in the faces of people like me that he is dripping with privilege while I wonder if I can afford gas for my car this week.
“You’re disgusting.” I cross my arms. He’s alone, not even his horrible other half in sight. “No cohorts to kiss the king’s rings today? What a shame. Probably for the best, though. Reality hits like a sonuvabitch and once you graduate, you’ll figure out this is your peak.”
Devlin’s shoulders shake with his snort. He touches the corner of his lower lip with his tongue. “Wanna bet?”
I grit my teeth. No one makes my blood boil like he does, with that unbearable arrogant attitude.
“You think you’re untouchable.”
Devlin leans forward. “I don’t think. I know I am.”
I’m done with this. Rolling my eyes, I shoulder my backpack and head for the stairs up to the school.
Devlin falls in beside me, an annoying pep in his step.
“Did I invite you to walk with me?” I give him a shove when he doesn’t answer. “Fuck off.”
