Shrugging, it’s hard to take my attention away from the door.
What are they saying? What’s Damien saying?
“So, again, he’s serious? About Isaac?” I’m relieved Christian’s changing the subject. A distraction is exactly what I need right now.
“Yep,” I nod, popping the ‘p’ while I grab a bottle of juice from the bag. Juice is something my stomach can handle and after last night, I’m parched. “Saw him leave after the party.”
“What’s he gonna do?”
“He’s not too keen on talking to ‘em. Looked at me like I was an idiot, so,” I pause to take a sip, glancing towards the door. “I have no idea what he’s gonna do.”
Christian sighs, picking up another slice of bacon as he swivels back and forth on the stool. He tilts that square chin to the ceiling. “If I know Damien, he’s plotting something. And it’s not gonna be pretty.”
* * *
The three of us arrive at the Academy right on time, Christian pulling into the lot behind Damien’s Lambo.
I never thought I’d say this, but I’m grateful I have the two of ‘em. Especially now.
The officers left after speaking to Damien on the lakehouse porch. After Damien confessed he was fucking with me, it’s likely I won’t have to worry, but he doesn’t confirm it. I’m relieved the officers didn’t question me but Damien hasn’t said anything about it all morning. When I ask, he kisses me. Deep and long and it’s enough to make me forget. It always is.
While he parks, I shoot a text to Willow, checking in. She’s quick to respond, already with her crew somewhere inside.
“Meet me here after school,” Damien says, looking at me through his sunglasses over the console. His white shirt is only buttoned half-way as he reaches for his jacket in the back. That means pulling my eyes away from his chest is like hauling a kid away from a playground. Damn near impossible. “There’s something I want to show you.”
I’m hoping he means he has an explanation for the detectives. “Are you asking me out like a normal person?”
He chuckles, “I shouldn’t have to ask, Rowland.” Leaning in, he kisses me, soft and gentle and it sends shivers right through me. “You and me? We’ll never be normal. See you after school.” He gives me one last kiss before he gets out of his car and I sit there stunned, blinking. His other side, the one I fell for, is back in full swing. Had I known, I would’ve slept with him a lot sooner.
Christian’s not far behind him, and when I get out, I’m met by a glare of death from Lea. Georgina and Pixie glare at me too, eyes telling me they’re plotting something. I’d be on edge if it wasn’t for these guys. Walking behind Christian and Damien, I ignore the girls. The two of them talk about plays as casual as Christian takes the scotch out of Damien’s hand when he pulls it out of his jacket. They’re like a wall of muscular man-flesh, guys getting out of their way, girls swooning and glaring at me as we pass.
“Ladies,” Christian nods at Lea as we make our way into the school. It’s hard not to give her a snarky smirk, like the ones she’s always throwing my way.
“Grim Reaper,” Lea scoffs when I’m by her face.
Damien stops in his path, making me bump into his back. When he turns around, he lowers his shades, giving Lea the look of a cold-hearted devil. Her friends all back away as he narrows his eyes, leaning into her while he keeps his voice low, “If you want to see a Grim Reaper, keep calling her that.”
“Me?” Lea asks. She doesn’t back down easy this time, face red and sour. “After everything I did for you?”
“You mean drugging me enough so I sat still at my father’s funeral?” He lets out a stiff laugh. “Don’t expect a thank you.”
Damien leaves Lea standing with the look of a confused poodle before we make it into the foyer. Allie’s sitting in the corner, her eyebrows furrowing when she sees me with the guys. She waves and I’m about to walk over when Christian says, “We have to report to coach. Will you be okay?”
His eyes land on Allie who’s sitting next to Nate and Carlos with a stack of luggage. I smile, “I’ll be fine.”
“See you at two,” Damien and Christian leave, walking down the hall.
“Wait,” I call. “I have my project to work on.”
“Two o’clock,” Damien says again and I roll my eyes, walking over to Allie.
Stubborn dick.
A stupid, sexy stubborn dick.
“You lucky, lucky girl.” Nate peers over his sunglasses, the same ones from the funeral before Carlos slaps his arm. Nate looks back. “What? I’m not the one fucking them.”
“Wait, I’m not—”