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“What?” I jerked my gaze toward him.
But he didn't answer, just glared, those dark eyes glinting.
“The pizza,” one of the others stepped forward and lifted his arm over the broody asshole’s shoulders. “It’s Tobe’s favorite.” He slipped his arm free then, taking a step closer. “I’m Caleb, this is Nick.” He jerked his head toward the other, who just leaned against the wall and watched with his arms crossed against his chest. “And you already know the moody one, Tobias.”
I licked my lips, met each piercing gaze, and nodded as Caleb’s gaze went to my cheek.
No!
Panic ripped through me as I jerked my hand up, tugged my hair low, and turned away.
“Guys,” Creed murmured. “How about we sit?”
“I’ll stand,” Tobias declared.
I felt his stare as I moved away from them, made my way around the other side of the long dining table, and took a seat toward the end, but still close enough to reach the food.
“Ryth, honey,” Mom called, and stretched over the open boxes of pizza and mountain of garlic bread, coleslaw, and sides as she reached for a plate. “Sit closer.”
The two other guys sat, barely glancing my way. But I couldn’t move, my cheeks burning with humiliation. A couple of growls erupted as pieces were snatched, bites were taken, and conversation filled the air. They even chattered to my mom, asking about the fire.
I lifted my head and took a plate when mom passed it to Caleb, and gestured to me. He gave me a smile and a wink as he handed it over and, for the first time since I'd stepped into the dining room, I allowed myself to breathe.
They weren’t that bad.
I glanced at Nick, who watched me, then forced a smile. One I faintly returned as I grabbed a slice of pizza and bit.
“So…damn…good,” Creed groaned from the head of the table, and grinned as he glanced my way. “What do you think, Rye?”
Rye?
“Good.” I chewed and took another bite, tracking the movement from the corner of my eye as Tobias strode toward the table, yanked out a chair next to me, and sat.
They all tried not to look his way, even as mom smiled at the others and helped herself to more food than I’d ever seen her eat before.
All of a sudden, it felt almost normal. Food, friends…apart from the glaring asshole who dragged his focus from my breasts to my eyes as he took a massive bite of his pizza and chewed.
FOUR
tobias
She had no idea.None at all. I watched her eat with her downcast gaze, staring at that ugly fucking birthmark on her cheek, until Nick kicked me under the table. I shot the bastard a glare as he gave a small shake of his head.
She was just a kid, right? I glanced at those perky little tits. No, not a kid. My cock grew hard as my anger grew. Hate I understood. But seeing her like this, so damn small and meek, taking tiny bites of her pizza like she was a goddamn mouse, incited something dangerous inside me.Squeak, squeak,little thing.
“Tobias.”
The sound of my name on her lips made me jerk. I lifted my gaze to the woman who sat next to dad. “Yeah?”
“I was just asking if you’re enjoying Clarence. Business major, right?” she asked like it was every day conversation.
“I’m not, actually,” I answered. “Dropped out about two months ago.”
“What?” Dad’s head shot up, a smear of cheese grease on his lips as he scowled. “Since when did you make that decision?”
“When I decided the last days I had with my mother were more important.”
Conversation halted.
