Page 57 of Raise Hell

“You don’t even know,” Drake comments, his voice a touch too even for my comfort. “But mouthy girls can be fun, depending on what they’re doing with it.”

A shiver moves down my belly as my cheeks flame. I pick up my Cuban sandwich to hide my face so they won’t see my blush. Drake is supposed to be easier than this to knock off balance. But instead of getting angry, he acts like our verbal sparring is a form of foreplay.

To my relief, they change the subject.

“Man, I’m stress eating over this game.” Cole takes another huge bite of pasta. “Someone needs to talk me off the ledge.”

Nolan moves the plate to the center of the table, but not before Cole snags another forkful. “There is a difference between a big guy and being a big guy. You need to be able to get from one end of the field to the other without blowing out your knees.”

“Is that a fat joke?” Cole deadpans.

“A physics joke, maybe. We were just covering the basics of determining structural integrity in class today. You want me to break it down for you?”

“Sure, as long as you leave time in the lesson for fucking yourself. If you think girls like that emaciated look on a guy, you’re nuts. How hard can you possibly give it to a girl when your bones are aching, Skeletor?”

“Most chicks will take something hard over something soft, I promise you.”

“Fine, we’ll put it to a vote.” Cole turns to me with an expectant expression on his face. “Well?”

“You want me to pick?” I’ve been following their conversation mostly out of sick fascination, but I didn’t think they’d drag me into it.

“We’ll leave Drake out of it, because he gets pouty when he loses.”

Drake regards them both with an annoyed expression, but he doesn’t say anything.

Nolan scoffs. “Like I care what she thinks.”

“Are we taking personality into account?” I ask drily.

“You too, new girl.” Cole gives Felicia a charming smile that has probably melted plenty of panties in the past. “Which one of us is the hotter one? Be honest. You don’t have to worry about hurting Nolan’s feelings, because he doesn’t have any.”

Felicia bites her lip, her gaze shooting to her brother and then away. “I’m sure neither of you have any problems getting girls.”

“That isn’t an answer.” Cole leans forward, his voice going low and seductive. “Tell us what you ladies say about us when we’re not around.”

She surprises me by smirking. “I really don’t think you want to know the answer to that.”

His eyebrows shoot up to his hairline. “Okay, now I’m dying to know.”

Felicia snags the fork out of his hand and pulls the now half-empty plate of pasta back in front of her. “Well, one of you forced me to drink the most disgusting liquor known to man while most of the school watched. And the other ate half my lunch and is now insisting I stroke his ego. I guess I’d have to say that the jury is still out.”

If I wasn’t sure I liked Felicia, then I’m certain now.

“Sorry boys, if you want girl talk you’re going to need to put on charcoal masks and bring over a bottle of rosé,” I say, trying not to laugh at their shocked expressions. “Nothing comes for free.”

Cole recovers first, his good humor quickly returning. “Is that an invitation to your next slumber party? Count me in.”

Drake finally seems to lose his patience, likely because the very last thing he wants is for his friends to see his sister as a sex object.

“Class starts in a few minutes,” he grouses, shoving his tray away from him. “We need to go before we’re late.”

“Always so studious,” Cole remarks with a sigh. “Must be what all the girls see in you.”

“Only if the shitty attitude doesn’t do it for them,” I murmur, but definitely loud enough for him to hear.

“You should come to the game this weekend. I’ll make sure you get front row seats.” No one can see Drake’s hand move over my thigh, squeezing hard before he pulls away and abruptly stands. “Pretty much everyone is going to be there.”

“And bring your friend,” Cole says with a wink as he also stands.

Nolan snatches up his tray. “Just watch out for those wide passes. Someone in the stands got knocked unconscious last year.”

“We’re going, right?” Felicia gushes as soon as they’re out of earshot. “I’ve heard this game is going to be epic. And freshman never get to sit in the front rows.”

“Sounds like fun.”

Sounds like the opening salvo of a war.

My heart pounds as I think about how far he might take this. I’m confident in my ability to resist him. A pretty face and rock-hard body isn’t enough to make me forget what I’m here to do.

But a girl can only take so much before she breaks.

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