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“Really?” Shock weaves its way into my tone.
One hand smooths over the short skirt of her cheerleading uniform as she nods. “Who knew that he would turn out to be such a superstar?” She glances around before leaning closer. I can’t help but mimic the movement. I have no idea what’s about to tumble out of her mouth, but I would be lying if I didn’t admit that I’m curious. “Don’t tell Jasper I said that. He’d be so pissed.”
That’s an understatement.
The thought of his rage is enough to turn my mouth cottony. I can’t help but remember the way he’d been staring outside and a shiver slithers down my spine. Any hope I’d had that we could peacefully co-exist has disintegrated.
“I won’t say a word.” I take a quick step in retreat, only wanting to find Austin and get out of here. I’m about to lift a hand and say goodbye when I spot the bottle of water hanging from her fingers. “Where did you get that?”
“Sorry, girl. I just grabbed the last one.” She leans toward me again before dropping her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “I’m trying not to drink so much this year. I need to get my grades up, otherwise I won’t get accepted to college.”
I’ve had several classes with Aubrey and grades have never seemed important. Apparently, now that we’re in the final stretch of high school, she’s decided to buckle down.
Better late than never, I guess.
“Bummer about the water, but good for you.”
Just as I’m about to swing away, she says, “Wait!”
I stop and cock a brow as she thrusts the bottle in my direction.
“You can take this one.”
My gaze drops to her outstretched hand before I wave her away. “It’s all right. No worries.”
She jiggles the container. “Go ahead, I just opened it. Never even took a sip. It’s all yours.”
When I hesitate, she rolls her eyes and cocks a hip. “Seriously, Delilah. Just take it. I wasn’t that thirsty anyway.”
Indecision swirls through me. “Are you sure?”
“Of course.” She flashes that same bright smile. “I wouldn’t have offered if I didn’t want you to have it.”
Even though I’m reluctant to take anything from her, I relent. She’s being so nice. “Okay, thanks. I appreciate it.”
She presses the plastic bottle into my hand. “No problem. Enjoy.”
Feeling parched, I twist off the cap and tilt the opening to my lips before guzzling down a third of the cool liquid.
Ahhh…that feels so much better.
“Thanks, Aubrey. I’ll catch you later.”
Her voice rises above the music as I turn away, “Are you looking for Austin?”
I pause and glance over my shoulder. It’s been about twenty minutes and I’m impatient to find him again. “Yeah.”
“I think he’s playing pool in the game room with Kingsley and a couple of the other guys from the team.”
That comment surprises me almost as much as her beaming a smile and being so friendly. “Really?”
I figured we’d take off, but maybe him doing well on the football field has helped break through the icy social barrier that has been erected since the twins’ arrival. If that’s the case, I don’t want to deny him the opportunity to make friends. Not everyone at Hawthorne Prep is bad. It just takes time to weed through them and find the good ones.
She nods. “Yup, pretty sure I saw him in there.”
“Can you point me in the direction of the game room?”
Kingsley’s house is easily ten thousand square feet. It’s not difficult to get lost or turned around in the maze of rooms.
