Page 38 of Knight

I choke on my OJ as Allie gives her brother a smirk and a lift of her brow as if she’s proud of her words. Carlos snorts and Nate gives Christian a snap before he sighs, sinking into his seat. “Fine, but let’s change the subject.”

Allie sits up. “Like how mom and dad kept me up screaming at each other last night? Did you get any sleep?”

We spend the rest of the hour talking about the twins’ family drama while shovelling food into our mouths and by the end of it all, I’ve eaten a fair bit.

My phone buzzes against the table, Damien’s name lighting it up for the seventh time since Christian and I sat down. Flipping it over, I ignore it again. I’m not going to let Damien King ruin this. I won’t let him ruin me. No matter how good it feels when he does.

* * *

Ignoring Damien’s calls for the rest of the day wasn’t easy but I somehow manage. Especially since I have Clara’s project on my mind. If a scholarship is in reach, I’m grasping for it and I’m not letting Damien and his bullshit pull me back.

After spending my last period in solace in the library, I’m feeling calmer. A little more collected. That is until I’m walking towards Henry’s Rolls Royce at the end of the day.

“Jo!”

The words come like a chorus. A deep, bassy chorus.

Turning around, both Damien and Christian stand behind me, saying my name in unison like a fucking musical. With a hard glance at Christian, Damien speaks first, “We need to talk. Now.”

“Actually,” Christian pipes up next. “I was gonna ask if you want to grab a coffee.”

Damien’s knuckles go white, his fist clenching. He takes a couple of steps towards Christian, “Back off, Perez. Or do you want another black eye?” He turns to me before Christian can respond. “We need to go to MOCHA. Now.”

“What? Why?”

“You’re right about Marion. Something’s up.”

Christian speaks up, “Can’t whatever this is wait?”

“Can’t you?” Damien bites back. “If you know what’s good for you, you’ll get lost, Perez. I fucking mean it.”

“King, you know I’m your friend, and I’ll always be, but I’m getting tired of this.” The two of them square up, chests almost kissing. There’s a crowd growing around us, Lea and her minions watching from afar.

“What’re you gonna do?” Damien takes that one last step to bring them nose to nose. “Go ahead, Perez.” He smirks. “I dare you.”

“What’s going on here?” Headmaster Beckett calls from behind us. “Is everything okay with you boys?” His head moves between them before his eyes land on me behind them. A bushy brow raises.

Shit.

“Yes! Everything is fine!” I pipe. If I show him I’m deescalating this, he won’t pin it on me. I’ve already gotten a slip for being out of uniform and I don’t need any more trouble from faculty. “Right?”

“Is it?” Damien asks, neither of them taking their eyes off each other. Christian’s shoulders stay rigid, and Damien’s chest puffs out. “It’s not if you’re going anywhere with this asshole.”

“Asshole? Are you still drunk, bro? Because the only asshole I see here is you.”

I see Damien lift his fist and before he can connect it with Christian’s face, I catch it. I’m trying to pull it back but I’m hanging off his arm, shoes coming off the ground. “We’re going to MOCHA.”

“Then move it along, Miss Rowland,” Beckett says. “Or is this another disturbance on your behalf?”

Groaning I roll my eyes, biting my tongue as Damien lets me drag him away from Christian. When we’re in the parking lot, by his car and away from the ‘disturbance’ he bangs his fist against the roof. “Are you fucking Perez, Medusa?”

I meet his cold, tantalizing gaze over his car, pushing the hair out of the side of my face. “Were you about to let me take the fall for your bullshit?”

He looks at me over the roof of his car, jaw clenching again before he bangs his fist against the chrome paint. I guess it doesn’t matter if he leaves a dent, he can afford to fix it. “Get in,” he demands.

“You don’t tell me what to do.”

“Jo, get, in,” he growls, but he doesn’t wait for another counter, ducking into his car.

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