Page 15 of Last Boy

Pulling the door open, he acts like my body flailing as I fight him is nothing. Quickly, he drops me down in the seat.

“Poppy, Poppy, Poppy,” he drawls slowly. “You should know better. You really think I’d kiss you after all you’ve done?”

“I don’t want to kiss you, prick,” I hiss. “You’re the last person I’d ever want to kiss!”

His smirk only deepens. He’s clearly amused, looking at me like I’m a joke. “When your lips parted and your eyes shut…that told me otherwise.”

Pulling the seat belt around me, his hand brushes my thigh as he secures it. And dammit if I don’t feel another lightning bolt shoot right between my legs.

“Nice gothic nails. Matches your soul.”

“Fuck off,” I hiss.

“Know this, Poppyseed: When it comes to me, you won’t win. You won’t win the battles, and you sure as hell won’t be winning any wars.” He pats my head and then taps his finger on my nose. “Remember that.”

As he closes the door and walks around to the driver’s side, I’m ashamed of myself for being so pathetic tonight. I gave him the power and let him see the effect he still has on me.

But he’s wrong about one thing: I might have lost this battle. But I’m sure as hell going to win the war.

5

Poppy

I wash my hands and look at my reflection in the mirror. I look tired, but that’s probably because I am tired. And, yeah, I guess I am skinny, just like Walker made sure to throw in my face the other night, but I’m always on the go. And it’s not like I have endless cash to buy snacks either.

Taking my strawberry ChapStick out of my pocket, I smear some across my lips and rub them together before capping it and sliding it back in.

My hair is down in messy waves, and for once, I’m having a damn good hair day. Too bad it’s wasted on this not date with Cade at Club 83. After dance practice, he asked if I wanted to get a bite to eat. I could tell he was down in the dumps about something, so here I am. I’ve grown a soft spot for that guy—and he’s the last person I expected to say that about.

Swinging the door open, I head down the short hallway that leads back into the club.

“Huff, huh?” A deep voice comes from behind me, and I instantly know it’s Walker.

My steps slow to a stop, but I don’t turn around. I don’t speak either. I just simply wait to see what the hell he’s going to say to me that he thinks might hurt my feelings.

“Never took him for your type.” This time, he coos the words in my ear. “But lucky for you, everyone is Huff’s type.”

“Some could say the same about you,” I mutter, staring straight ahead.

His body doesn’t touch my backside, though I know he’s there. I feel everything about him. His body heat. His energy. All of it makes me want to back up a mere inch and physically feel him there. But I remain strong and don’t give in to my desires.

“Careful, Poppyseed. You almost sound…jealous.” This time, his lips are closer to my ear.

“Jealous?” I let out a loud laugh. Surprising him, I spin my body to face him. “I’m here with Cade Huff, Walker. What the fuck do I have to be jealous of?” I shrug. “And of course, he’s my type. Have you seen him?” I coo. “He’s everyone’s type, babe.”

“Shut up,” he growls. “Shut the fuck up.”

Satisfied as I watch his jaw tense, I continue to stare up at him, batting my lashes innocently. “What, James? You don’t want to think about me fucking your teammate?”

All at once, my back is pressed to the wall, and his hands are gripping my wrists at my sides. I have to stay strong. I can’t give him the satisfaction of thinking I want him now. This battle is mine. Taking two losses to this asshole isn’t an option.

“Now, who’s jealous?” I say slowly, remaining cool as a cucumber on the outside. But on the inside, I’m in a puddle at his feet, begging for more.

“I’m not fucking jealous,” he says through gritted teeth.

“Are you sure?” I roll my tongue over my lips. “So, it’s okay with you if I bring Cade into the back room, drop to my knees, and suck his—”

His hand covers my mouth, his face barely hovering over mine. “Don’t finish that fucking sentence, Poppy. I’ll burn this entire fucking place down if you do. And I’ll fucking kill Cade Huff, and it’ll be your fucking fault that he’s dead,” he growls, his eyes floating to my lips, but I don’t give in.

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