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He grunts as I slam into him, but he doesn’t fall, and he doesn’t drop me. One arm wraps tightly around me whilst the other grabs the underside of my thigh to steady me. I feel every muscled, strong inch of him against me, and for a moment I completely freeze, because Chase Maverick is holding me and I can smell his cologne and it settles into my bones and I want to breathe it in until I pass out.
My heart thunders, and I know he feels it, because my chest is pressed against his. But he doesn’t release me right away. Do I imagine the way his fingers tighten? Do I imagine the way his heart pounds against mine? Do I imagine the way his eyes flash to my mouth as he pulls back to look down at me?
Probably.
‘Are you alright?’ he asks roughly.
His breath warms the back of my neck and I want to pause this moment and live in it a little while longer, but that would be weird.
I pull away from him. ‘I need to get to class.’ I can’t look at him as I rest the other bughouse inside a bush and grab my bag. ‘Thanks for the help.’
‘Wait.’
I glance over my shoulder.
Any trace of amusement in his expression is replaced with wariness.
I already know what’s coming, but I wait for him to speak.
He shoves his hands into his pockets. ‘Archer. He… did he…?’
‘I don’t think that’s any of your business, Chase.’
A pained look twists his face. ‘I know, Iknowit isn’t. But I…’ He pinches the bridge of his nose. ‘I don’t even know how to fucking say this.’
‘Then don’t.’ I turn.
‘Frankie.’
I stop.
‘Archer is my best mate. I love him. But he had no right to do what he did to you. Any other girl he’s had, he hasn’t bothered to brag about it, but you’re… innocent.’ He winces.
‘He told you that as well, did he?’
His gaze is steady. ‘It’s not something to be ashamed of. It’s not anyone’s business what you decide to do with your body, but you don’t have to give in to Archer. He’s a crafty little shit when he wants something, and he’ll get over you if you ignore him long enough, but if you feed him little snacks, he’ll try and bite your hand off.’
‘That has to be the worst analogy I’ve ever heard.’
‘You don’t want Archer to be your first,’ he says. ‘You’re a bright girl. You deserve more.’
???
Chase’s words echo in my head the rest of the day. I’m mad at Archer all over again, because my worst fears have been confirmed: that he did, in fact, brag about us. But I’m also mad at Chase for telling me what he thinks Ishouldn’tdo with my body. As much as I wish it was, I don’t think what he said was out of any real concern for me, but I’m furious, because all he would have to do is want me as much as I want him and I wouldn’t think about Archer ever again.
Why am I breaking my own heart?
I hate boys.
I have double chemistry next lesson, which means two hours sat beside Cassie.
Time to bite the bullet.
‘Hey,’ I say as I place my notebook on our lab table.
She’s sketching again, something that looks like a girl covered in tattoos holding a gun. She doesn’t turn, but she gives me a sidelong look and sighs heavily. ‘And I was having such a splendid day,’ she says.
Okay, she’s still raging, but at least she’s talking to me.
