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His grip loosens as his head snaps in my direction and he gives me a calculating up-and-down stare. “What did you say, roomie?”
“Jace, it’s alright,” Lu murmurs, looking suddenly scared. For me?Oh, Lu…
It’snotalright, neither is she, the usual light in her eyes extinguished. My vision darkens as anger ripples through my nerves.
“You heard me,” I say to Chad, locking eyes with him.
I don’t want to fight, not here, not in public. I want this fucking douche to disappear.
So when he lets go of Lu and fists the front of my shirt, I don’t respond.
Keep calm, I tell myself.
I’ve made it my mantra for so many years. In the group home—avoiding the humiliation. In the service—avoiding breaking others.
“Mind your fucking business,” Chad snaps, giving me a mocking smirk and pushing me away.
I clench my jaw. “You need to leave.”
“Listen, nerdy boy, go back to your room and play Dungeons & Dragons.”
“Chad!” Lu shouts. “Leave, please!”
Now everyone is looking, the chatter around dying out.
I fucking hate attention, but I’ve been here, done this, stood up to guys like this too many times in my life.
Yet, years later, unnecessary arrogance still gets to me.
“You heard her,” I say as calmly as I can, blood pumping between my ears. “I don’t think she wants you to come back—”
The punch comes so fast that I stumble backward, the crowd oohs, and a shriek comes from Lu.
I didn’t expect this. I figured even jerks like him would have the decency to keep it civil during a party.
Wrong.
Motherfucker…
My face is on fire. My head is dizzy with anger.
But I wipe my cheek with the back of my hand and raise my eyebrows at the douchebag.
You’re dead.
“Jace…” Lu takes a step toward me, but my eyes are on Chad, who only smirks cockily.
“What, no response, roomie?” He spreads his arms with a sneer. “Lost your cool?”
I don’t care how I look right now. I don’t even register Lu’s hand on me, only him—the smug face and a sleazy smirk, like so many who made me who I am.
“Wanna say something to me, roomie?” he taunts.
Everyone is staring, but that’s something I’m used to.
Becky sweeps in, puffing her chest against his. “Get out, Chad,” she hisses, pointing to the terrace doors.
“I’ll escort you out,” I say coldly.
