Page 51 of Dare To Break

Pussy.

And as that word flits through my mind, my attention returns to Arabella. She’s sitting ramrod straight, hands in her lap, staring straight ahead. There’s still a slight hint of color in her cheeks, and her bottom lip is caught between her teeth.

I could have so much fun with her right now if I didn’t have to wait to leave a note in her locker.

And then it comes to me. An idea so perfect that I can barely contain my grin.

I may have missed an opportunity here, but it’s one I’ll rectify as soon as I can leave the grounds. I wonder if I can get a pass after English. I have a free study period. I could get to town and back within the hour. My eyes shift to Kellan, and I ease my cell from my pocket beneath my desk and tap out a message to him with my thumb.

He gives me a discreet thumbs-up after reading it, and I refocus my attention on the class going on.

***

I tell the office that I need to drive into town to pick up some new clothes. They’re used to students wanting to change their wardrobe—we are rich, spoiled kids, after all—and they allow me and Kellan off-site for an hour. We head to my car and are out of the gates and driving toward the town less than ten minutes later.

“I could do with some new underwear.”

I throw a frown at him, and he grins.

“What? It’s no lie. Might as well use the opportunity you’ve presented me with. I only packed seven pairs.”

“Seven?” I don’t even know why I’m engaging in such a ridiculous conversation, but that’s what Kellan does. He’s never failed to be able to drag me into silliness. Maybe that’s why our friendship has lasted. I’m the serious one, he’s the fool. Both characteristics have made other students underestimate us more than once, and it’s why we’re now avoided by everyone as much as possible. Serious and funny does not mean easy to bully, as the football team has found out … more than once.

I park outside the small mall and climb out. Kellan keeps pace beside me as we walk inside. I stop outside the cell phone store. “Do you want to go and do your … lingerie shopping while I go in here?”

He waggles his eyebrows at me. “I’ll buy something extra sexy to model for you later.”

I don’t touch that comment and walk inside the store. I know exactly what I’m looking for, so I’m served and back out fast. It’s funny how waving cash around can make any questions go away. Instead of needing to fill in details and take out phone contracts, I bought two cell phones in cash, no name, no identity, no contracts. I go to another store and pick up two pre-pay sim cards.

Kellan is leaning against my car when I get back.

“I picked you up some stuff as well.” He waves a bag at me.

“Do I even want to ask?”

“You told the office you needed clothes. I grabbed some socks and a couple of t-shirts.” His smirk tells me that’s not all that’s in the bag, but I don’t react. I’ll find out what he’s slipped in there when we’re back in our dorm. It’ll be something silly—joke underwear, tighty-whities, a thong, or leopard-print speedos.

He tosses the bag into the back of the car alongside mine, and we head back to school. We arrive with minutes to spare and make it to math just before the teacher arrives.

Chapter 33

Arabella

Miles bumps his shoulder gently into mine. “I have to go to the pool for training. I’ll message you later.”

I hold in a grin when he gives me a wink. “Okay.”

I’ve spent most of the day in a daze, on the edge of panic at getting caught. I’ve hardly been able to focus on anything but the knowledge that I’m not wearing panties. Thankfully classes are over, and I can escape for a few hours before dinner.

Lacy comes up to my desk as I’m packing my books away. “Hey, we’re going to watch Brad and the others while they’re at football practice. Do you want to come along?”

Adding my pencils to my case, I zip it up. “I thought I might go back to our room and study.”

And change into something else because the note said nothing about keeping my skirt on.

“Seriously? That’s all you seem to do.”

“I like learning.” I return my attention to the rest of my stuff.

---