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It was a relief to get outside. We found a secluded table and sat, and while we chatted about classes and the start of our lives in less than six months, I actually felt…happy.
“So, you moved in with the Banks’, huh?” he asked, then took a gulp of his cola.
My happiness dulled as I nodded. “It’s only temporary.”
“Those guys can be real assholes,” he muttered, casting me a cautious gaze. “You want to be careful of them.”
Careful?
Tobias pushed into my mind.You’re mine, Ryth.“Yeah,” I muttered, forcing my mind to focus on Nick and Caleb instead. “Like I said, it’s just temporary until we get on our feet.”
He glanced my way and I could tell he wanted to say more. But instead, he just drained his cola as the bell rang. “Looks like the party’s over. Speaking of a party, Hanna Kresler’s throwing one this weekend. Hers are pretty notorious, if you wanna go?”
My stomach dropped. “Like on a date?”
He just gave a shrug and pushed off from sitting on top of the table. “Date, no date, I don’t care.”
Date or no date?As in my first ever. My pulse sped at the thought. I wanted to saywhy me?Or even look in the mirror to see if that hideous mark that didn’t fade under foundation had somehow disappeared. But I knew it hadn’t. Even with the stutter, other girls would be clamoring over him, so why ask me?
You gonna cry, little mouse?Tobias pushed into my head. I couldn’t get him out…not his words or the feel of his goddamn hand on my body. “Sure.” The word slipped free as I met his gaze. “Why the hell not?”
“Really?” he looked shocked, then slowly smiled. “Fuck yeah.”
I had no idea how I was going to get there and even though I’d had my license for months now, I was betting taking Creed’s Mercedes was out of the question. I felt bolder as I strode to class beside Gio. Hell, I might even take Tobias’ Jeep…swipe his keys from his room while he was showering. I’d be gone before he knew it was missing.Let him see how much of a mouse I was then…
That thought stayed with me all through the afternoon periods, and when the last bell rang, I was almost sad to leave. We made our way through the stampede to the front doors of the building, then outside to the bright blue skies and fresh air.
“Same time tomorrow?” Gio cast a glance my way as we headed for the drop-off point.
The deep rumble of the Mustang overpowered every other engine noise, drawing my gaze…and Gio’s. He scowled when he saw the car and I swore I saw a flicker of annoyance. But he turned his gaze toward me and in an instant, that flare was gone, turning into a smile for me again.
Maybe for once I actuallyhadmet a real friend. “Sure.”
He gave me a wink, one that sent a flutter through my chest, and strode away, leaving me alone. I watched him for a second before turning back to the chick magnet. Nick waved his hand from behind the wheel, drawing my attention. As if I could miss him. I didn’t even care others stared as I opened the passenger door and climbed in.
“You’re smiling.” Nick glanced my way as I pulled the door closed. “That’s a little troubling, considering it’s your first day.”
The corner of my lip twitched higher. But he wasn’t putting the car into gear, not yet.
“That guy you were with, who was he?”
I shrugged as annoyance flared. “No one.”
Possessiveness burst inside me. Why did he have to know? Couldn’t I keep anything to myself? “I didn’t get his name.”
“Just be careful, Ry, okay?” he muttered, and shoved the car into gear, pulling out of the waiting zone with a roar…for attention.
My pulse kicked hard as I grabbed the armrest and we turned sharply before surging forward.Ry?I glanced at Nick as he watched the street, his black t-shirt molding against his hard body. Ripped black-jeans rode low on his hips and Gio’s warning came back to me.Those guys can be real assholes. You want to be careful of them.
I’d been at their house just over a week. A week occupying the same space. Tobias was an asshole for sure, a goddamn bully. But Nick…Nick was nice and Caleb, too, when I saw him.
Nick must’ve felt my focus and glanced my way. “What?”
“Nothing.” Heat raced to my cheeks.
He hadn't made fun of me, hadn't even once looked at my cheek. That intense gaze that looked eerily like Tobias’ fixed on mine, then glanced away.
“You up for a shake? I know a place.”
