Page 96 of Wicked Dreams

He might’ve won this battle, but he won’t win the war.

Chapter 22

Margo

Caleb

Meet me in the locker room at lunch.

I’ve been ignoring him. He’s been ignoring Amelie. It’s only been a week, but…

Rumors have been swirling that she’s been duped—and dumped. She sulks behind a wall of cheerleaders, who all send hateful glares in my direction. They’ve extended the same courtesy to Riley, even though my quiet friend walks around like a shadow half of the time.

The girl’s got some serious talent staying under the radar, that’s for sure.

And Caleb? Theo? They’ve all been acting like nothing is wrong. Theo sends an occasional wink my way, and Caleb snarls at him under his breath.

He’s worse than a feral dog.

Caleb

Answer me.

Your read receipts are on, little lamb. Don’t make me hunt you down…

Or do. You’re my favorite sport.

You’re with Amelie.

I think. Honestly, maybe hediddump her.

That didn’t stop us the other night.

He has no boundaries.

Did I make him that way?

I bite my lip as I type out a reply under my desk. Sure, this could absolutely backfire on me. He could become worse than he already is. How, I don’t know, but I’m sure he would think of something.

He’s managed to get under my skin, and as much as I try to scrub him free, he isn’t leaving. Hell, I don’t think he ever left.

And he accused me of the same thing.

It should’ve. What do you want in the locker room?

There’s a long pause. Class will be ending in about ten minutes, and we’ll break for lunch. Then two more classes, and I’ll be able to go hide at home until tomorrow. And then we’ll just do that a hundred more times until I graduate.

Or less, seeing as how I turn eighteen in just over three months.

Not that anyone is counting…

I focus on my fifth period English teacher, Ms. Devereux. She’s attempting to talk us through an analysis of a short story we just read, but it’s kind of going over my head.

I slouch lower in my chair. This is one of the only classes I have without Caleb or any of his friends, and I pretend to be studying the story again while I collect myself. My phone buzzes against my leg, sending another pitter-patter of nerves through me. My heart pounds so loud it’s the only thing I can hear.

I take a deep breath, then check my phone.

Caleb

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