Chapter 2 #2
I’m scanning the hallway. Eyes moving over heads, searching for Red. She’s not here, and neither are her friends. Not that I care. I just look.
Jace and I head for our usual spot near the back hallway, where no one goes unless they’re cutting class or dealing with something they shouldn’t be.
Jace’s eyes land on a guy who’s practically dry-humping his girlfriend in front of the vending machine. It’s all hands and tongue, no shame, right there next to the Doritos.
He nudges my elbow. “Think if he fucks her hard enough against the glass, a Snickers’ll fall out?”
I let out a laugh and lean back against the wall, letting the noise fade around me. Girls walk past, tossing glances. Jace laps it up. I don’t even see them.
My eyes are still on the hallway. Waiting for red.
Nicole appears from around the lockers. Tight skirt. Black tank. Eyes sharp as glass and hungry for witnesses. She makes a straight line for Jace and hooks her arm around his elbow, claiming him in public because that’s how girls around here measure worth.
“Morning,” she says, all sugar-sweet and loud enough for every girl within earshot to hear. The bitch is venom wrapped in lip gloss.
She presses into him, hand already sliding over his chest. “What are you doing?” she asks, batting her lashes.
It is always a performance.
Everyone knows it.
Tia and Nicole have been locked in some pathetic bitch war ever since Aubrey knocked Tia on her ass.
Now the two of them take turns parading guys around, proving who still has power. Last week it was Tia hanging all over Jace, whispering promises and letting everyone see.
This week, it looks like it’s Nicole’s turn. By Friday, they’ll probably decide to share him and call it a strategy.
Jace never says no. Attention and action are his favorite drugs. The guy practically runs on ego and blowjobs.
Nicole tips her chin up, lips parted, already imagining the win, already planning how she’ll brag to Tia at lunch.
Her mouth hovers just above his.
“What the fuck are you doing?” Jace shoves her back with one hand.
Not hard, but hard enough.
She stumbles, catches herself on the locker behind her. Faces turn. Eyes lock on the scene as if blood’s been spilled.
Jace doesn’t kiss. Everyone knows that. It’s the one line he won’t let a girl cross.
Nicole stands frozen, trying to claw back her pride, but Jace’s voice slices through her before she can grab it.
“You really thought I’d kiss you?” He says. “Your mouth’s been on more dicks than the boys’ locker room bench.”
Nicole’s face goes white-hot.
“You’re a fucking asshole,” she hisses.
“Yeah,” Jace says, grinning. “But at least I don’t pretend my mouth is a personality trait.”
She storms off, heels stabbing the floor with every step.
“Real smooth,” I say.
Jace shrugs, eyes trailing Nicole’s retreat. “She’ll be back. They always come back. Must be the charm.”
I roll my eyes and shift my weight.
And everything else fades. Real quick.
Because my gaze is already locked across the hallway.
There she is.
Sam.
Standing with Lola and Liz, arms crossed, chin tilted, that little smirk teasing the corner of her mouth.
Aubrey’s probably off with Noah doing the whole heart-eyes, I’d-kill-for-you-baby bullshit that somehow works for them.
Jace follows my line of sight. “You gonna fuck her or write her poetry?”
I don’t answer.
He grins. “Thought so. Bet she’s got claws. The quiet ones always do. Rip your heart out and wear it for earrings.” Jace elbows me again, harder this time. “You better move quickly.” He jerks his chin forward.
Some guy I’ve never bothered to learn the name of is already looking her way. One of those preppy dickheads who wears his backpack over both shoulders and thinks gel makes him look edgy. His eyes are locked on Sam, and I see he’s unsure if he should approach her.
“He can have her. I’m not interested,” I say, turning my head away as if I didn’t just mentally plan the guy’s funeral.
Then Jace grins. “Then let’s go fuck with her. Cockblock the asshole.”
I don’t argue. We move in sync, cutting through the hallway. The guy spots us coming and stiffens.
Good.
He knows who the fuck we are.
Lola spots us coming and groans. “Oh great, here comes the dick parade.”
“You say that like you’re not dying to ride the float.” Jace throws her a wink.
“Please. I’d rather do squats on a cactus.” She cocks a brow.
“Kinky,” Jace says. “Just say the word, I’ll grab the pot plant.”
Lola smirks. “Why don’t you grab a clue instead.”
Jace laughs, and even I crack a grin. Lola’s the only one who can roast him and live to tell the tale.
Lola’s come out of her shell since Tia stopped making her life hell. You can see it in the way she is now—shoulders relaxed, head up, as if she’s finally allowed to exist without apology.
“Hey, Red!” I say. I can't fucking help myself.
She doesn’t blink. Just looks at me like I’m gum on her shoe and she’s deciding whether I’m even worth scraping off. Then she steps around me and keeps walking down the hall.
Lola takes a step forward. “Wow. Good chat, Romeo.” Then she trails after her.
I don’t say anything. Just watch Sam walk away, that glorious fucking red hair catching the light, the curve of her spine a middle finger carved in motion.