Page 170 of Dare To Break

He places two sandwiches and fruit juice onto the tray. “Not sure. Aunt Susannah has invited me to go there, but I’m not sure I want to spend Thanksgiving in Texas. They just want to keep me sweet anyway. Poor little orphan Kellan who has all the money … gotta make sure he remembers all the ones who opened their doors to him, you know?”

“You could come back to my place. Dad won’t mind. You get on with him better than I do, anyway.”

“What about your new mommy?”

My lip curls. I might have decided that Arabella wasn’t a gold-digger, but I sure as fuck haven’t changed my mind about her mother. “Don’t give a fuck what she thinks. I’ll call Dad and let him know you’re coming back with me.”

Chapter 109

Arabella

Sin: You know the drill, Kitten. Come tonight. Red or green?

Warmth spreads through my chest at the message.

Me: Green.

After I sent him my reply, I look up just as Miles turns toward me. Lacy and the others are at their usual table, but he doesn’t even spare them a glance.

“What are you smiling at?”.

“Nothing.” I hide my cell in my bag and leave it at my feet.

“I got you mac and cheese.” He places one of the plates in front of me. “And a Hershey bar.”

“Thanks.” Attention dropping to the table, I open my drink.

Miles hovers beside the empty chair next to mine. “Please don’t be angry with me.”

“I’m not.” I take a sip.

“Yes, you are.” Finally sitting, he takes his plate off the tray. “I’m the worst boyfriend ever. I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you earlier. I’m sure Tina did it on purpose.”

“I think she wants me off the cheer squad.”

“Probably.”

I twirl the fork through my food. “I thought you’d be over there with the popular kids.”

He nudges my shoulder gently with his. “You’re my friend. It would take more than a catfight for that to change. Besides, Tina is now the center of attention. I wonder who sent that video.”

My guardian angel. The one who I let do bad things to me when everyone else is asleep.

Lacy’s shrill laughter breaks over the murmurs in the room.

I glance around. There’s no sign of Tina. Jace gives me a grin and Evan waves.

“Bret took her food,” Miles tells me. “The royal bitch is sulking.”

I eat in silence while he continues to chat. It’s enough of a distraction that I actually clear my plate. We don’t linger when we’re finished, leaving our empty plates on the table, and head outside.

“Let’s go for a walk.” He grabs my hand and tugs me across the grass.

For a second, I think he’s going to take us along the path toward the cemetery but instead, we move along the edge of the tree line where the light from the buildings meets the blackness. A few other students are milling around, but they aren’t anywhere near us.

“I have something to tell you.” Miles takes a deep breath and lets go of my hand. “I’ve kind of met someone.”

I halt in surprise. “Here at school?”