Page 25 of Spelled By Truth and Tresses

“Sure. I’ll see you later,” Jax said, then winked.

It felt off being friendly with Jax. Every interaction before now was thick with hate…but I couldn’t deny the sexual tension, especially with what happened in the library, and that he saved me from completely spiraling to the point of no return last night.

I spotted Jayde walking up to the gym, where she and her group of friends would meet. She looked at me, gave me the stink-eye, then turned away. I wish I knew what her problem was.

CHAPTER 10

Iwalked into class late. I slid into my seat next to Grayson. The professor picked partners at random on the first day of class and somehow, probably because I’ve been on the universe’s shit list, I was paired with Grayson.

“Morning beautiful. I’m glad you showed up for class. Super sorry to hear about your dad. Did they find out what happened?” He ran his hand through his dirty blond hair and propped the collar up on his jacket.

I glared at him coldly, hoping it would deter him from asking more questions. “No.”

He didn’t seem to notice. “A few of us are going to this party thing at the dorms later if you want to come.”

“Thanks, but I have plans.”

He opened his mouth to say something, but Mr. Rodriguez strode in and greeted everyone. He then asked me to hand out the pop quiz. I handed them out and finished my test in silence. I tapped my pencil on the table.

Grayson leaned over to look at my answers. “I didn’t do well,” I told him and folded my paper in half.

He bit down on his bottom lip. “I wrote to you over the summer. You never replied.”

“I didn’t reply to anyone,” I said flatly. I couldn’t have replied even if I wanted to. Between suffering through grief and my mother guilt tripping me into moving home…

“We went out for two months and that’s all I get?”

“I’ve just been busy,” I said through gritted teeth. The men attending Ghost Rose needed to leave me the fuck alone.

He relented. “It’s all good. Let’s hang out soon, yeah. I’ve missed you.”

“If you two are finished wasting mine and the rest of the student’s time,” the professor boomed, his voice echoing off the vaulted ceiling.

When the ancient grandfather clock with miniature sharp spires, meant to look like a bell tower struck 2pm, I hurried out of class before Grayson could catch up to me. I was so grateful to be outside. Today had gone so slowly. I found Lalita sitting at the stone tables below the gargoyles near the dean’s office.

Eleanore walked off as I sat down. “Sorry girls. I have something I need to do. I’ll be back.”

We both knew that meant we wouldn’t see her for the rest of lunch. Lalita tucked into her salad.

My hands were clammy. I saw Jax walking over to our table. Three days have passed since we fucked in the library. For once, I gave into the temptations constantly plaguing me—and the prick didn’t have the decency to reply to my text. I still haven’t told Lalita everything that happened.

Lalita gave me a look and finished her mouthful of salad; most likely so she could give Jax a mouthful.

“Can we help you?” Lalita asked venomously.

“Lalita. It’s a pleasure. What were you both talking about?” he asked.

“Nothing you’d be interested in,” she replied.

“You don’t know that,” Jax replied, smirking.

I let go of the breath I had been holding in. “I need to talk to you.”

His eyes sparkled. “I know. I saw your text last night.”

Jax leaned back and looked coldly at Lalita.

“Wait, so you’re the reason she’s been out of sorts for days? What did you do to her?” She pointed at him, her cheeks turning pink.

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