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Before they can come to blows, I blurt, “Thanks for asking, but Austin will take me home.”
He searches my eyes carefully. Like everyone else, I can see him trying to figure out what’s going on between us. “You sure about that?”
“I am,” I say, forcing a bright smile.
Duke presses his lips into a tight line before jerking his shoulders into a shrug. “All right. Guess I’ll catch you tomorrow.”
I nod as he stalks away. It would be impossible not to notice how people scurry from his path. No one wants to have a run-in with him. It’s only when he’s disappeared around the corner of the stadium that Everly releases a pent-up breath.
“I really hate that guy,” she mutters.
My gaze swings to her in surprise. “Really?”
Duke has never been anything but kind to me. I know he can be brisk and is rough around the edges, but I’ve always felt that deep down, he has a heart of gold.
All right…maybe not gold.
But he’s a good guy. Certainly better than a lot of people around here.
Everly’s teeth rake across her lower lip as she glares at the place he was last seen before disappearing. “Sometimes, I think he goes out of his way to be an asshole. Especially to me, and I have no idea why. I barely know him.”
My brows pinch together as I mentally comb through their past interactions. “I think it just takes time for him to warm up to people.”
She snorts. “I think you’re way off base and he’s a jerk. I wish he’d just leave me alone. I’m tired of putting up with his crap.”
What I don’t mention is that it sucks to be a scholarship kid at Hawthorne Prep. Even if it’s not openly talked about, everyone knows that the only reason we’re here is becausethe board pays our tuition. There are always little offhanded remarks or jokes made at our expense.
And we’re both more guarded because of it.
Ironically, Duke is more accepted than I am. He’s a gifted student and talented athlete. The problem is that he has a huge chip on his shoulder. He goes out of his way to remove himself from social situations and people. Honestly, when I think about it, he was that way when he was younger and we attended public school.
Kingsley joins us, wrapping an arm around Summer before hauling her close and brushing his lips across hers.
“For fuck’s sake,” Austin grumbles. “The last thing I want to see is you maul my sister.”
Not bothered by the comment, Kingsley flashes a grin. “Then you should turn away, because it’s about to get rated R real quick around here.”
Summer slaps at his chest but doesn’t stop him from taking her mouth in a possessive kiss that sizzles in the air surrounding them.
Austin rolls his eyes before propelling me forward, away from the trio.
“We’re out. I’ll catch you later,” he tosses over his shoulder.
That’s all it takes for nerves to explode across my skin as we head to the parking lot.
DELILAH
Ifiddle with the hem of my skirt before smoothing my palms over the fabric, attempting to stretch it farther down my thighs. Every time I shift against the leather seat, it slides upward.
As we leave the rolling grounds of Hawthorne Prep behind, a breath of relief escapes from me. This place has become more of a prison. One I’m happy to escape from.
Admittedly, the day was easier to get through with Austin at school. I didn’t have to worry about being openly hunted by Jasper. My mind wasn’t consumed by thoughts of where he would turn up next and what he would do if he found me alone.
To be honest, I’d been so preoccupied with the dark-haired boy and whether he was going to lay hands on me that I barely gave my ex a passing thought. It’s demoralizing to realize just how quickly I can be reduced to a quivering mass of hormones.
When I continue to fidget, he reaches out and wraps his hand around my thigh. He hits the turn signal, swinging onto the long stretch of country road that leads to town. The way his palm sears my bare flesh is almost enough to make me forget about everything churning through my brain. In that moment, my world shrinks down until it encompasses just the two of us.
“You all right?” he asks.
