Chapter 7
SEVEN
By the time I make it to breakfast on Monday, the photos—yes, photos—of my naked walk have been seen by the entire school.
The first guy to approach me about it gets ignored, but the second guy gets a bloody nose. He made the mistake of telling me how much he wanted to watch my tits bounce while he fucked me, and I take note of his name when his friend calls out to him as he slinks away.
Spencer Hillsong is a dick.
I don't get approached after that. I eat breakfast in my usual spot, and there's a three-chair buffer on every side of me, like no one is willing to risk my violence.
That is until Joseph Beaumont sits down with me again.
“I hope you're not embarrassed, Mounty. I'm actually impressed with what you've got going on under the uniform. I didn't realize your rack was so big.”
Civility and playing little mind games are beyond me today, so I don't even glance up at him.
I'm reading the last book I need to for Lit for the year, having spent the entire weekend studying like a fiend to keep myself distracted.
I hadn't gone to the dining hall to eat, so I'm starving, and my plate is overflowing with eggs and bacon.
“Aww, don’t be like that, Mounty. Nudes are an everyday thing here at Hannaford. I can show you mine, if you want. I'm quite the photographer.”
I would rather gouge my eyeballs out than see Joey’s dick. I think about telling him that, but it's more appealing to ignore him until he fucks off.
“Cold shoulder, and I'm trying so hard. You're a difficult girl to befriend. I could deal with Avery for you, you know. Would that win me your trust?” he coos at me.
My reply is instant and firm. “No.”
I look up at his cold, blue eyes. The color and shape are just like Ash’s, but they don’t feel the same. Looking into Joseph Beaumont’s eyes is like staring into a void.
I get the impression that this boy tortures his siblings for simple pleasure, and I have no interest in being dragged into it. Besides, I’m starting to get ideas of what I could do to Avery next year once graduation is on the horizon and my chances of being expelled are drastically reduced.
I'm going to destroy that girl.
But I'll do it myself. I won't hide behind her evil brother.
He grins at me, eyes still empty of life. “She speaks! Are we talking now, or are you insisting on freezing me out?”
He’s not going to leave until he gets what he wants, so I might as well get it over with. “What exactly would you like to talk about, Joseph?”
I put down my book and fold my arms. His eyes trace over my chest, and I clench my jaw because I know he's thinking about those damn photos.
“Call me Joey; my father is Joseph. Let’s talk about my party. We're going to the edge of the school boundaries. There's a small woodland area that I've made my own. I'll pick you up after curfew and personally walk you down there, so you don’t run into any trouble.”
I didn't want to go to the damn party at all. How many of the guys there will proposition me? Will Avery and the boys be around, and will I get drunk and confront her? It’s a recipe for disaster. I open my mouth to say so when Harley sits down next to me.
I glance around, but he's alone.
Joey sneers at him. “What the fuck do you want, degenerate?”
Harley looks at him the same way you would look at dog shit you've just stepped in. His uniform is crisp and new, so I guess Avery finally wore him down enough for him to replace his older one. He looks hot, but then he always does, and there’s a faint hint of chlorine clinging to him as if he’s just gotten out of a pool or a spa.
Weird.
“Lips and I have a chemistry assignment to discuss.”
Technically, it’s true, but we’ve already finished the assignment. Neither of us leaves things to the last minute.
Joey’s lip curls at him. “Well, fuck off and talk to her about it later. We're busy.”
A slow smile works its way across Harley's face, and he starts to eat his eggs. His plate is even fuller than mine. He’s a solid guy, but I get the impression it’s all muscle, so he must spend some serious time in the gym.
The image of him in a tank and gym shorts flits into my head, and I lock the image down fast. I do not need to get turned on surrounded by these assholes.
“I'm good here. Lips and I are regular desk buddies. She enjoys my company, you know. I don’t have to taunt her to get her to speak to me.”
Joey scowls at him, but I refuse to speak to either of them. Instead, I pick my book back up and zone their bullshit out. Joey finally gets up and storms off. Harley doesn't say a word, just eats his eggs and smells delicious.
“I don't need rescuing,” I say as I turn the page.
He snorts at me.
“Everyone needs rescuing from Joey Beaumont. You shouldn't be speaking to him. If he sits here again, get up and walk away.”
“Oh yeah, and what should I do if Avery sits here?”
Harley pauses and then puts his fork down. I watch as his face does a complicated dance before settling into what I think is an attempt to look sincere.
“Listen, I know you won't believe me, but Avery didn't set you up. She definitely didn't take the photos.”
It's my turn to snort. I give up on my eggs and start in on my apple instead. I kind of want to vomit thinking about how many people were looking and laughing at the photos. It's bad enough that I have to put down the apple, too.
“Just think it through, because Avery always takes credit for her work and she hasn’t said a word to you about them, has she?
But Joey has. If he had nothing to do with it and actually gave a shit about your feelings, he wouldn't have looked at them either. I sure haven’t. He's a snake in the grass.”
No, he’s not in the grass. He’s a snake that’s wrapped around my throat. “You expect me to believe you care about my feelings?”
He pauses shoveling his food into his mouth and says, “Nah. I just don't find naked photos all that appealing without consent. I have enough sent to me from willing partners that I don't feel the need to look at yours.”
That's… actually decent. Like, a really human and empathetic thing to say. I have to fight back tears. This place is making me soft.
I sniff and say, “You're not missing much. I'm just a scrawny Mounty.”
He laughs, but it's not as cruel as it usually sounds.
My go-to reaction to the gossip and whispers from other students is to stare at them like they're stupid until they get uncomfortable and leave me alone.
It works well, and by the time I get to the library for tutoring, I've used this method against a decent enough amount of people that now everywhere I walk, the other students clear a path. I think they're waiting for me to snap. I kind of am, too.
I sit at the usual table and get started on assignments.
With my own concerns about keeping up and the bullshit from the other students that I’m working through by pouring myself into my academics, I'm now five weeks ahead of schedule in every class except choir. It’s a silver lining, but it doesn’t take the sting away.
Ash walks in ten minutes later and joins me, sitting in his usual seat across from me. He doesn't speak or acknowledge me, just pulls out his textbooks and notes and gets to work quietly.
“Do you need help today?” I query without looking up.
“I'll ask if I do,” he replies, and I give him a curt nod.
We work in silence, and I enjoy the time to just focus on what I need to get done.
For once, it doesn't feel hostile; more companionable. The bell rings when I’m only halfway through a math worksheet, so I stay put—and to my surprise, Ash does too.
He’s never lingered before or left here with me, so I know it’s deliberate.
The rest of the library starts to empty out and a girl from our year comes to lean against the table, twirling a strand of her long, russet hair around her finger. She's gorgeous, but she was also present for my walk, so I shoot her a filthy look before turning back to my work.
“Hey. You didn't come out last night. I was waiting for you,” the girl—no idea what her name is—says in a seductive tone.
I don’t know who it would work on, but it has me ready to gag. Ash also doesn't look very impressed. I try not to feel pleased about that but I fail miserably.
“I'm sure you found an adequate replacement.”
Oooh, burn. I smile down at my equations so the girl doesn't notice. Ash’s eyes flick to my face before he zeros back in on the girl.
She tosses her hair over her shoulder and pouts at him. “That's a bit harsh. I was forced to when you didn't show. What, am I supposed to just wait around and be at your beck and call? Your dick isn't that great.”
The smile he gives her is dangerous. It’s the type he would give me, not a potential fuck.
“We both know that isn't true. You're gagging for it.”
Sweet lord. He doesn't sound like he's flirting, but maybe I'm just bad at reading the signs. I have no experience to fall back on, so it's entirely possible.
“If you two are going to fuck right here at my study table, please tell me so I can make other arrangements,” I say as I tap formulas into my calculator.
I don’t look up. I don’t want to see if Ash is into her and they’re just gearing up for a hate-fuck.
“Fuck off, then, Mounty,” she says, and I sigh as I go to grab my books.
Ash puts his hand over mine and stops me. It’s the first time he’s ever touched me, and I feel flutters in my stomach that need to quit. Immediately.
“Allow me to paraphrase for you, Mounty. I wouldn't fuck Harlow if she were the last piece of pussy left at this school. Stay. I need help with my equations when you've finished yours.”
The girl, Harlow, glares down at us both. She snaps, “I thought you and Avery hated the Mounty bitch.”
“I hate my brother more. Tell me, how did his dick feel up your ass last night?”
“Sweet lord,” I murmur and try not to laugh.