Chapter 2
CHAPTER 2
Presley
I place my books inside my locker and pull out my lunch. Then I finally check my phone. The thing was blowing up in my bag during World History, and I had a gritty feeling in my stomach, so I decided to wait until after class. As soon as I see the four missed calls from the prick, I wish I’d left my phone in my locker and ignored it entirely. The five text messages have me curious though, so I go ahead and open the first one.
Sarah: Did you see this yet?
I click on the attached image and a screenshot of Chelsea’s FB post pops up. It’s a picture of her and Maddock kissing. Honestly, I’m not surprised. I saw that one coming. Even knowing what he did, she still had that dreamy look in her eyes every time he walked into the room, so it was just a matter of time before they got together. What does surprise me though is that it doesn’t bother me. It doesn’t hurt like I thought it would, which hopefully means I’m getting over my broken heart.
The next text is also from Sarah.
Sarah: Sorry I sent the pic. Just thought you’d want to know. Don’t let it ruin your day, gurl. Hugs
Yeah right. I call bullshit. I can read right through the lines on that one. She couldn’t wait to tell me the news. I bet Sarah was hoping it would send me crying in a corner. In fact, I’d bet a hundred bucks Chelsea was standing right by her side as she wrote it out, waiting to see what my response would be. I hate to break it to them, but their attack didn’t strike down their target like they’d hoped, and I won’t be giving them what they’re eagerly waiting for: my pain.
Me: Please look out for her. Don’t want her to end up in my same shoes. Btw, if you see him, can you please tell him to stop texting and calling me. Thanks for the update! Hugs
As soon as I hit send, I block her number in my phone. I’m done with them. All of them. And I’m not going to continue to pretend like we’re all friends and have each other’s backs. I always had theirs, but they never had mine. I know it goes with the Elite territory, so I shouldn’t have been shocked, but knowing they were only pretending to be my friend for all that time still stings. I guess no matter how strong your armor is, deceit still penetrates.
The last three texts I have are all from the prick.
Maddock: I know you’re not answering your phone because you saw the picture.
Maddock: Quit being stubborn, babe, and let me explain. She means nothing to me. You’re it for me.
I roll my eyes. He’s such a lying ass. I’m contemplating whether I should unblock Sarah’s number and send her a screenshot of this message so she can share it with Chelsea. You know what, I’m done playing the nice guy. Chelsea knows what he did to me, and she also saw what happened to Sophie, so she only has herself to blame when she gets burned by him too.
I’m not even going to bother listening to his voicemails right now. I’m sure they’re all the same. Him telling me how much he loves me, how sorry he is, and how if I just take him back, he’ll never do it again. And yet, here is living proof that he’s an asshole. Because if he wanted to win me back, he wouldn’t be hooking up with my “friend”—even if it meant nothing to him. Thank goodness for this picture, by the way, because now I can finally use it to get him to leave me alone.
Maddock : Why the fuck aren’t you answering your phone? You always were such a stubborn bitch.
“I’m not answering my phone because I don’t want to talk to you, you cheating bastard.”
Besides that, I’m in school, you stupid idiot. I flip him off through my phone, wishing he could see me. The jerk. I just want him to leave me alone, but unfortunately, I don’t think he will. Which means I’m going to have to block his number too. Something I’m finally more than ready to do.
I push the buttons on my phone and turn to head toward the cafeteria but slam right into a wall of muscle. I quickly latch onto the very rigid chest, realizing too late who it belongs to. A rush of heat courses through me. Butterflies start fluttering in my stomach. It’s like he’s a magnet to my every sense. Awakening me and drawing me towards him. Every part of my body feels like it’s being electrocuted. And by the look in his eyes, I know he feels it too, making those warning bells blare louder.
“Aren’t you going to give your old friend a hug, Presley?”
My breath flows out of me in a whoosh. If it weren’t for my hands still pressed against his chest, I’d probably be sinking. I need to take a step back, but before I can find the strength, I lose my chance. He tugs me in closer, wrapping me up in a tight embrace. My own arms find their way around his back and my body melts into him. He’s no longer that twelve-year-old boy I used to play tag with; no, Kyler is all man. One seriously dark and dangerous man.
The longer he holds me, the more eager his body becomes. His head nuzzles into the side of my neck and his lips begin brushing across my skin. It’s like he can’t get close enough. My own hands cling to his shirt, wanting to snuggle into the familiar comfort. I turn my head to the side and that’s when his mouth runs up my jawline, leaving a trail of sparks in its path. When he gets to my mouth, he stops. Hovering in the air. Near millimeters away from me. Eyes boring into mine, seeking permission.
God, I want to grant it. I want to drag his mouth to mine and devour his lips more than I want to take my next breath. But…I can’t. I need to put a stop to this. This isn’t going to happen. It can’t.
I take a step back, pushing out of his embrace. “It’s good to see you, Kyler. I’ll see you around.”