Chapter 3 #2
Yes, Omari kissed me, but it was over just as fast. Nothing happened. I didn’t kiss him back, and aside from rubbing his neck and saying, ‘Tis cool, don’t sweat it, he seemed alright. He wasn’t upset.
But now people will be talking shit, and my brother will have something else to flip out about. Awesome. Just what I need. Another fire to put out before someone gets hurt.
“So what about that kiss?” Rain asks as we head toward the front doors.
I slide my bag’s strap higher onto my shoulder. “It wasn’t a kiss.”
“No? It wasn’t a kiss? I’m confused.”
Pushing open the front door with my shoulder, I tip my head back and let out a slow exhale. “Okay, he kissed me, but I turned him down.”
“Why? He’s hot,” she says as we step out into the sun.
“Who’s hot?” comes a deep voice from the drop-off point.
We look up at the same time to see Kane leaning against his car, the black paintwork gleaming in the sun.
Oh fuck. What’s he doing here?
It should be illegal to look that attractive in a fitted navy blue shirt and pants. He makes it look effortless. The sleeves have been rolled up to reveal his tanned forearms, his blue eyes hidden behind sunglasses. I feel that gaze burn into me.
Rain nudges my shoulder, and we communicate a million silent words in the space of seconds.
‘Lookie who’s here.’
‘I don’t know why he showed up.’
‘You’re holding back on me.’
‘I’m not! He’s crazy. That’s what this is.’
‘You’re a terrible liar. Just admit that you want his dick.’ She glances at him, eyeing him as if she’s calculating how much she can fuck with me.
I narrow my eyes. ‘Don’t you dare.’
The small grin forming on her lips spells trouble. “Jessica was just telling us how hot she thinks Omari is, the guy who kissed her last night.”
That’s it. I’m revoking her best friend title. That award now goes to Harold, the spider who lives under my dresser. At least he keeps secrets.
“Apparently, he’s a great kisser,” she continues, slowly turning her head in my direction. Her eyes glitter.
“Is that so?” Kane asks, voice a dark and velvet sound.
His eyes lock on me behind his sunglasses, but I’m still in a staring contest with Rain.
‘I’ll kill you later.’
‘No, you’ll thank me later. What do I always say, bestie? A bit of healthy competition is good. Now go bounce on that jealous dick.’
‘I don’t think his dick is jealous.’
‘Well, he’s thinking with it right now. Trust me, it’s jealous.’
‘Weirdo.’
‘Freak.’
‘Loser.’
‘Dork.’
A car door opens, breaking our silent tennis match. Kane is holding the door open, his intent gaze on me. I look around, confused. Is he waiting for someone?
“Get in the car,” he says, leaving no room for an argument. We stare at each other for a long beat. He can’t be serious, right? Does he think I’ll get in the car with him?
The moment breaks like fragile glass when Rain nudges me.
‘Go on.’
‘No!’
“Jessica.”
My head snaps back.
Kane removes his sunglasses, leveling those frosty eyes on me. “Get in the car.”
I suddenly become aware of students around us, whispering to each other. Of course, they are. Kane’s Bugatti Chiron looks obnoxious parked outside our weathered, derelict college. There’s no way this won’t get back to my brother.
I step back. What’s he doing here? Why is he pushing for this? For us? What does he see in me? The sign over the entrance is missing three letters, graffiti is scratched into the stone facade, and some broken windowpanes are patched with plastic sheeting.
“I’m not getting in the car with you, Kane.”
The muscle in his cheek tightens; he doesn’t like where this is going.
Another step back. “Look around you. This is my world, where I’m from. Why do you even bother with me?”
“Jessica.” His voice is a low warning, but I’m done. He needs to leave.
“I get it. You wanna have a good time, and girls like me are fun for a bit. But this stops now, Kane. I’m not your plaything.”
I turn to walk away, but I barely make it two steps before he catches up.
“Did I say you were my plaything? Don’t put words in my mouth.”
Rain barely masks her amusement as I’m dragged back to the car. Summer appears somewhat worried, but she doesn’t step in to help. None of them do.
“What the hell, Kane? Let me go. I’m not coming with you.”
“I wasn’t asking.” He shoves me into the car, straps me in, and slams the door shut.
For a moment, I sit there with my mouth hanging open like I’m trying to catch flies. Did he manhandle me into his vehicle, or did my brain imagine that? And my friends? Did they stand by and watch?
They’re grinning, looking pleased with their meddling. Rain, the troublemaker, is waving.
Have fun, that look says.
This means war. She’d better batten down the hatches, because I’m coming for her. I try the door, but it’s locked.
My hands fumble for the window crank. Then I remember I’m in a brand new car and not a piece of scrap metal that belongs in a junk yard. I smack the window. “Campus creep!”
“Psycho reject,” Rain shouts back.
“Discount Dracula.”
“Knockoff Bond villain.”
“Oh, you bitch—”
“Is this how you two normally behave?” Kane asks.
I let out a surprised scream, spinning around in my seat. “Jesus Christ. Don’t scare me like that.”
His gaze flicks over me, the faintest trace of humor in his eyes. “Feel free to call me God or Jesus later when you’re coming on my tongue, but just ‘Kane’ will do for now.”
Ignoring him, I flip Rain off as we drive away from the curb. She’s a traitor. At least my sister, despite her faint smile, has the decency to look ashamed.
I’ll deal with her later. She’ll regret ganging up with Rain. I’ll make sure of it.