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It put the two boys instantly at odds.
She shoots me a glare before turning her attention to her brother. “Can I talk to you for a sec?”
“Sure.”
When he doesn’t budge, her lips thin, wilting at the corners. “In private.”
Austin shakes his head and glances toward the school. “Can we do this another time? I need to head inside and speak with a couple of teachers.”
“I guess so,” she mutters, shooting me another frown.
“I’ll catch you later, okay?”
In that moment of silent connection, something passes between them, and her expression turns to one of concern as she nibbles her lower lip before glancing at her boyfriend. He shrugs and wraps an arm around her shoulders as we all head inside the stone building.
Just as my heels strike the marble of the corridor, Austin whispers, “Showtime.”
That one word sends my belly plunging.
All I wanted to do is make it through this day unscathed.
No longer am I sure that’s possible.
Within seconds of us entering the congested hallway, heads swivel in our direction before doing a double take. I’ve never felt more on display. By the time we reach my locker, I can practically feel everyone’s eyes crawling over me as the whispers and comments drone around us.
I stifle the urge to run and hide.
When the hair at the nape of my neck prickles with unease, I glance around and find Jasper glaring at us. The hostility filling his expression is enough to make my pulse trip.
Before I realize what’s happening, my spine is pressed against the lockers and Austin’s lips have crashed onto mine. When I don’t immediately open, he nips my lower lip. Surprised, a gasp escapes from me and his tongue delves inside my mouth to tangle with my own.
My palms slip between us, settling on the hard planes of his chest. Even through the fabric of his button-down shirt, I can feel the chiseled lines and the heat that emanates from him. In the beginning, my intention had been to push him away, butthe longer his mouth slants across mine, the more everything fades to the background, and I forget this is nothing more than a meaningless display solely meant for Jasper’s benefit.
Just as my fingers curl into the starched material and I lose myself in the kiss, he’s ripped away. My eyes widen when I find the two boys standing toe to toe. Tension vibrates in the air as people stop, craning their necks, not wanting to miss the fight that is seconds away from breaking out.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” my ex growls before shoving Austin in the chest and knocking him back a step. “Keep your grubby hands off what’s mine.”
I wince, afraid Austin will retaliate and find himself in even hotter water with Pembroke. And this time, there won’t be anything I can do to save him. I take a step forward, ready to intervene if necessary. As mixed as my feelings are about Austin, I don’t want to see him get expelled.
He doesn’t deserve it.
He doesn’t deserve any of this.
His eyes sharpen, the smirk never faltering from his face. “She isn’t yours, Morgan. She belongs to me now.” He flicks a hard stare my way, almost daring me to argue. I know exactly what will happen if I do. The silent promise is there, lurking in his eyes. “Isn’t that right, Delilah?”
A growl vibrates from Jasper’s chest as he glares. Hatred and jealousy swirl through his stormy gray depths. The intensity is almost enough to have me shrinking away. Instead of giving into the urge, I straighten my shoulders and hitch my chin. “Yes.”
“Tell him who owns you,” Austin says softly.
I swallow down my growing nausea, hating him for making me say it in front of everyone. “You do.”
“Louder for the people in the back.”
Heat floods my face. “I belong to you.”
“I always knew you were nothing more than a fucking whore!” Jasper bares his teeth before swiveling toward me and leaping forward.
A scream rises in my throat as Austin slides in front of me, blocking the other boy.
