Page 22 of Cruel Steps

Don’t give them any ammunition.

“Adams! Hey, wait up!”

I stopped at the sound of my name and turned to look. When I didn’t see anyone, I was convinced I had made it up, until Colter’s smiling face came into focus. My shoulders dropped and warmth replaced the coldness I’d been feeling. At least I knew one person.

“Hey.” My cheeks flushed as he approached, his eyes traveling over me. Was that in appreciation? I still didn’t trust that a guy as gorgeous as Colter wanted to talk to me.

“Can you believe it? We’re meeting without bodily harm,” he joked. I laughed, already feeling lighter.

“Don’t jinx it. We’re not through the quad yet. Knowing my luck, I’ll be struck by a frisbee or a football.”

He slung his arm over my shoulder and pulled me close to him, bringing his ocean and citrus scent closer. “I’ll protect you, cuddly koala.”

“My hero,” I teased, but secretly I swooned inside.

“Where you headed?” he asked, nodding to guys and girls who called out his name as we walked. Did he know everyone? He tilted his head toward me, and I remembered he’d asked a question.

“Oh! The athletic center. I’m, um, auditioning to be a Wolfette.”

He grinned wide, the blue in his eyes bright today. “No shit? That’s awesome.”

“Thanks. I needed to hear that. My step-brother told me it was dumb.” I shrugged like it hadn’t hurt, but it had.

There was a part of me that agreed with Holden, but my pride wouldn’t let this go. Everything with Hope and I had started with dance, so it had to be this, or it wouldn’t count. I needed to show her I wasn’t a wilting flower anymore.

“Any funny stories today?” I asked after it had been quiet.

Colter laughed and told me how a freshman had come in for a book but kept getting lost, and he had to leave a trail for him to find his way out.

“Nuh-uh.”

“Okay, so it wasn’t a trail, but it felt like it.”

I giggled, enjoying the way his arm felt around my shoulders. However, I couldn’t ignore the curious eyes on me or the way girls said his name as we passed. It was clear Colter was popular. So, what was he doing with me?

We stopped at the front door, and I looked up into his eyes. “Well, I guess this is where you leave me.”

“First, you need to consult the Magic 8-ball.”

“I do, do I?” I pulled out my keychain. “What am I asking?”

“If I should give you a kiss for luck.”

I swallowed, my heart thumping loudly, and shook the 8-ball, breaking our eye contact as I glanced down to read it. “Reply hazy, try again later.” I looked up, shrugging. “The Magic 8-ball has spoken.”

Colter stepped forward, his big hand cupping my face. “It’s later.”

His lips landed on mine in the most gentle kiss ever. Despite that, fire shot through me, heating me from head to toe. He didn’t push it further; just pressed our lips together and then stepped back.

“Go and kill it, Mer.” He backed away, winking before he turned and headed off in the other direction, his hands in his pocket and strolling around like he hadn’t just shaken me inside and out.

With a smile, I pulled open the door and headed into the gym. Loud music thumped, and I could hear girls talking as I neared. A table with three girls in Wolfette uniforms sat before the doors, eyeing me as I approached.

“Wrestling tryouts are tomorrow.”

“Um, what?” I blinked.

“Wait, are you here to audition?” the brunette closest to me asked, snickering. Shit. It was Kimmy, Hope’s friend.

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