CHAPTER TEN
RIPLEY
When Monday rolled around and classes resumed, I found myself wondering if the weekend had even really happened. All it took was seeing Jamie’s bruised face and black eye in my morning class to confirm that it had been undeniably real. And holy shit, were his fingers bandaged? When did that happen?
I managed to sit across the room from him.
He never tried to talk to me, even though I felt his stare upon me several times.
When I finally had a break between classes, I met up with the girls outside at our usual picnic table.
I was happy. The weather was nice enough again for us to enjoy some fresh air before we were stuffed back into a classroom.
Even though I wasn’t feeling particularly hungry, I made an effort to eat the sandwich and protein bar in my bag. I had to swing by my mom’s later to give her some money. A visit that I was not looking forward to. It didn’t help that I’d taken my last two pills this morning.
“And when I showed up at the bar, he didn’t look anything like his profile picture.
Total catfish. I turned around and walked right back out of there.
” Athena laughed, giving her hair a toss before sipping from her iced coffee.
She’d been regaling us with tales of her last Tinder date.
“I’m done with those apps. Nothing but creeps and fakes. ”
“Yeah, why bother with that when you have all of this to choose from?” Luna waved a hand to indicate the many guys hanging out all around us. “It’s a buffet of jocks, frat guys, and emo dudes with painted fingernails. Those guys are actually pretty cute though.”
Following her gesture, I glanced around at the guys she indicated. I quickly averted my gaze when I saw Jamie seated on a bench several yards away, talking with another guy from our class. Why did he have to be everywhere I went?
“I don’t know. I need something different. I need a challenge.” With a shrug, Athena glanced around dismissively. “Every guy I meet bores the hell out of me these days. I need someone who can keep me on my toes.”
“Good call,” Storm agreed. “As someone who married a man that keeps me on my toes, I fully endorse this plan. Stop wasting time with guys that you’ll never see again. Hold out for someone who makes you want to see him again.”
Athena wrinkled her nose. “I find it hard to believe that man exists for me.”
“It’s always when you least expect it that it finds you,” Luna said, a secretive smile stealing over her face.
“We can’t all have a tattoo covered hottie who speaks louder with actions than with words,” I teased. “Don’t rub it in.”
Luna and Casper Callahan were head over heels for each other.
He’d gone over and above to prove how much she meant to him.
Even taking a bullet for her. I knew then that my opinion regarding the Kings needed to change.
They weren’t all bad, even if they did bad things. It wasn’t always so black and white.
Luna’s smile grew even wider. “He really is one of a kind. But I know you and Athena will find your perfect match when the time is right. And I’ll be the first one to congratulate you.”
Both Athena and I rolled our eyes in unison before bursting into giggles. Codie shook her finger at us. “You guys laugh now. Personally, I think you both secretly want to find that perfect guy. The one that makes you swoon every time you look at him.”
Athena totally sold me out by saying, “Ripley may have already found hers. Her fake boyfriend.”
I shot her a glare, but it was already too late. The other girls latched onto her statement.
“Fake boyfriend?” Codie repeated. “Is that what he is now?”
“Is that what who is?” Storm glanced between the two of us. “What did I miss?”
Only Athena and Codie knew about what had happened between Auryn and me after the party Friday night. I hadn’t had a chance to fill in Storm and Luna yet. No time like the present.
“Auryn and Ripley hooked up at the frat party on Friday. That’s why we couldn’t find her for the rest of the night.” Athena smirked, shooting me a pointed look.
Storm blinked a few times, like she wasn’t sure if she’d heard that correctly. “Really? Auryn?”
“Yeah I know. He’s a player. Fuck boy. Whatever.
That guy I dated a few times from my class was hassling me at the party, and Auryn helped to chase him off.
We hung out after that, and one thing led to another.
” Hearing myself explain it made me feel like a moron.
“Obviously it means nothing. He agreed to help keep Jamie off my back. That’s all. ”
“Wow.” Chewing a bite of her chicken salad wrap, Storm nodded thoughtfully. “I didn’t know Auryn was so giving. Must’ve been a crazy good night.”
I groaned. “Don’t do this to me, you guys. Jamie has been hassling me. Auryn helped me out. No big deal.”
Unable to keep her mouth shut, Athena added, “He came to your work the other night and beat Jamie’s ass in the parking lot, but I’m sure it really is no big deal.”
The other three girls erupted in responses that ranged from enthusiastic to disbelief to uncertainty. I nodded, waiting for it all to blow over. Too bad Auryn and I hadn’t discussed keeping this all a secret before my friends found out.
“Could it be that the absolute manwhore that is Auryn Brewer has finally set his sights on one girl?” With her hazel eyes wide, Codie marveled at the thought. Being far more dramatic than I felt necessary.
“It’s not like that,” I insisted. “Seriously. He’s helping me out. That’s all.”
“With some killer crazy sex on the side,” Athena snickered. “That’s all.”
With my cheeks burning, I threw my sandwich in my bag and stood up. “Okay, I’m out of here. I didn’t come here to be ridiculed by my best friends.”
Luna covered her mouth with a hand to hide her laughter, subtly inclining her head to indicate someone behind me. “I wouldn’t run off too quickly. Your boyfriend is here.”
I turned around to find Auryn, of all people, approaching from behind me. He was with Rebel, Stray, and Casper. Those three often joined our group. Auryn was rarely with them.
Quickly sitting back down, I redirected my attention to the can of cream soda in front of me, taking a sip. A wave of nerves racked me. Making my stomach flip-flop a few times. What the hell was that about?
“Hey there, pet. I missed you.” Leaning down over Storm, Rebel pressed his lips to hers.
She playfully slapped his chest. “You just saw me a few hours ago.”
“It doesn’t take much.” He stroked a finger under her chin, making her grin from ear to ear. Lifting her off the bench where she sat, he took her spot, pulling her down onto his lap.
Stray squeezed in next to Codie, forcing her to slide over closer to me. Athena made a remark about being squeezed off the bench when Casper sat down on her side with Luna. It was a tight fit, but they made it work.
Feeling Auryn’s presence as he hovered over me, I glanced up to find him motioning for me to slide over. He took a seat beside me, leaning in to whisper, “You’re looking good today, doll.”
Suddenly self-conscious, I glanced down at my attire.
I’d worn a pair of my favorite faded jeans with a low-cut black top, along with a black leather choker to hide some of the lingering marks on my neck.
Knowing that he preferred my hair down, I had left it loose around my shoulders in soft waves. Not that I would ever say that to him.
“Thanks,” I said quietly, hyperaware of my friends watching us. Why did this have to be so awkward?
Auryn nodded to where Jamie sat openly staring at us. “Any trouble with that idiot today?”
“Not really.” I shrugged. “There’s been some staring. He hasn’t tried to talk to me or anything like that.”
“Good. I’ll make sure it stays that way. Can’t say that I’m not tempted to dig his eyes out of his head. Sure would help that whole staring problem.” Auryn made hard eye contact with Jamie across the yard, holding it until Jamie looked away.
Needing something to do with myself, I took another sip of cream soda. “That may be a bit extreme. Let’s not do that.”
Stray chuckled, drawing everyone’s attention to him. “Oh yeah, I see it. Something is definitely happening here. It’s about time. I can’t wait to throw back every shitty thing you’ve ever said about love right in your face, Auryn. God knows you deserve it.”
My next sip of soda sprayed out onto the table. Did he really just say that?
Auryn held his friend’s stare, unflinching. His response came cool and composed. Entirely unruffled. “You never have a clue what you’re talking about, do you? I’m simply helping my friend Ripley here out with a problem. You guys don’t have to make it weird.”
Rebel snorted out a laugh. “Pretty sure we do. You busted our balls long enough. It’s fine if you don’t see what everyone else can already see. I think it’s better that way. You’ll be a lot more surprised when it beats you over the head.”
I squirmed uncomfortably, trying to find a way to leave without simply standing up and walking away. While I concocted an excuse to go, Auryn didn’t bother. Taking my hand, he rose, pulling me up with him.
“Come on, baby girl. I’ll walk you to your next class. I can’t sit here with these clowns any longer.”
“Baby girl,” Stray mocked with a snicker.
With Auryn holding tight to my hand, we left our friends behind. I didn’t dare glance back at them, knowing exactly what kind of expressions they would all be wearing. I understood why they teased Auryn. It sucked though. Putting me on the spot and making me feel all weird and uncomfortable.
“We should’ve kept this a secret,” I muttered as we entered the school.
Auryn gave my hand a squeeze. “Don’t let them get to you. They’re a bunch of idiots. If we’re going to put on a show for Jamie, they would’ve found out anyway. My friends just can’t handle that I’m not all domesticated and shit like they are. We know what this is. That’s all that matters.”