Chapter 14
CHAPTER
FOURTEEN
NASH
I hate that she’s here.
It’s like she’s being dangled in front of me, unaware of how bad I want her. Oblivious to how much I’ve hated her for the past two years. It’s tantalizing, and it’s driving me insane.
I know I shouldn’t have even approached her, but I want to ensure she knows she isn’t welcome here. Not at my school, not with my friends, and not with Carson.
I saw the ladder propped up against his window last night. My first thought was Jovie, until I saw on Snapchat that she was at Parker’s house.
I was stupid to think that if Carson wanted something, he wouldn’t get it. How foolish I am to believe that because I kissed her first, she’d somehow still care. Choose me.
That only fuels my hate and jealousy more.
I found my mom last night at an apartment downtown. A regular hangout for her and got her home and tucked in bed. I couldn’t stand the silence, so I walked to Carson’s to stay. The joke was on me.
The bell rings, and I walk into lunch with the team, but I don’t grab any food because my appetite is gone. Everyone sits down, and Carson seems distant, staring away from everyone out the window.
Staring at her.
I follow his lead, glancing out to see her.
I tried not to think about how beautiful she was when I yelled at her against the lockers earlier, but damn if she doesn’t look like a dream.
Her pants are tight and ripped, a black t-shirt, and her hair hangs in soft waves, just past her shoulders.
I can’t take my eyes off of her lips. They’re full and covered in darker lipstick.
I watch them move as she talks to Madden.
I watch them tilt into a smile because of Madden.
I refuse to let her put them on Madden.
Pushing a sophomore cheerleader away from me, I stand quickly to put a stop to whatever this is.
I bust out the door like a complete psychopath, stepping directly between the two of them. She stares at me, confused... so I open my mouth for more stupidity to flow out.
“What’s it going to take, huh?” I growl, stepping closer to her, causing Madden to move behind her defensively. “Money? Just tell me what you want!”
She knits her brows together. “How dare you act like I’m something you can dispose of! I’m here, and I can’t go anywhere,” her voice starts to break. “Believe it or not, everything isn’t about you and your precious family!”
I step back, almost like she punched me in the gut.
“That’s right, you think I don’t know? You thought I’d sit back and let you treat me like shit and not ask around? I didn’t know, Nash. Stop blaming me for shit I can’t control. It was just a mistake, remember?”
By now, everyone is staring, even the kids inside. I realize how awful I am, how ridiculous it is that I am yelling at a girl in front of most of the school, but it’s too little too late. “Trust me,” I grit out. “If I want you gone, you are absolutely disposable.”
She steps closer to me, her chest nearly grazing mine, “Then do it. Stop threatening me and just do it.”
Madden steps between us, placing his hand on my chest, “Man, let’s just step away.”
“You’re right, Atwood. She isn’t worth it.” I step away, offering Lainey a sadistic grin. I hold my hands up in surrender, stalking away like a boss.
Jovie’s eyes are dark, and I can tell she’s furious as I approach the table.
“What was that all about?” Crew asks, breaking the silence.
“Just business,” I admit, Jovie’s stare softening with relief. Carson glances down at his phone, looking over at Avery’s empty chair. Something is off with them, probably something to do with the girl outside, the one sneaking in his window with my ladder.
She’s ruining everything.
I sit in silence, staring at my phone screen.
Tons of missed messages and notifications fill the screen.
The conversation is turned to Avery and her absence, but my eyes are diverted back outside.
Madden does an air drum routine, making Corinne bust out in laughter and my blood boils.
She doesn’t get to come here and be happy, not when I’m miserable.
The solution to my problems pops into my head, and I shake it at the thought, wondering why I didn’t think of it sooner.
I can’t stand that she’s here.
I can’t stand her with Carson.
I can’t stand her with Madden.
Slamming my phone on the table, I set the plan in motion. Without another thought, I stand, stepping into my chair and onto the table.
Carson eyes me intently, as does everyone else, the entire cafeteria falling silent.
“Corinne Clark is off-limits,” I announce, hopping off the table, looking straight down at Carson’s gaping mouth. Jovie is looking at me in horror.
I’ve never claimed a girl before, called dibs or whatever. Since I was thirteen, I haven’t even had a girlfriend, just an abundance of what some would call fun. Jovie’s look is murderous as she stands toe to toe with me, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
I smile, pulling my backpack up off the floor. “Solving the problem. “
Feeling a little too satisfied with myself, I exit the cafeteria. Legacy is my ocean. And there isn’t a soul in this school that would cross me.
So if Corinne thought she was making friends here at Legacy and gaining a reputation for herself, she’s mistaken. I’m the most dangerous predator in this place, and I just officially claimed her as mine. Guys won’t look her way, and all the girls will hate her for taking me off the market.
It’s a win-win.