Page 20 of Caged in Flames

Chapter Ten

Sophomore Year:

There she is. Charlie's stepsister. Not that she's really his sister. But they do have the same last name.

Wait, is it breaking bro code if I ask her out? I shake my head. Get with the plan.

I don't know, it could be fun to tell Charlie I fucked his sister. It might get me killed though. He’s a loose cannon as it is, but his fascination with Diana is already intense as hell.

Doesn't matter. I've got progress to make.

Diana is sitting at a table in the courtyard all alone. Not that anyone would dare approach her after Charlie made her the social pariah.

Kids are stupid as fuck. Following the leader should have ended a long time ago. Though I guess I can't bite the cake that feeds me. Or whatever the saying is.

She's reading something on the device in front of her. Girl really needs to pay better attention to her surroundings.

I sneak up and read a couple of pages over her shoulder. Holy fuck.

It's porn. She's reading porn. All the blood rushes to my south brain quickly and I have to take a minute to adjust myself before I startle her out of her zone.

"You know, it’s actually a lot harder to maneuver that position in a storage closet than those characters make it seem. Though I’m shocked at your choice in literature." I’m delighted.

Diana jumps up and her face turns red immediately. "What the hell?"

I sigh as though I’m disappointed and shake my head. "I mean really, I don’t know why I’m surprised. They say the quiet ones are always the freakiest. Then again, everyone can be quiet when my dick is in their mouth." I shrug my shoulders before reaching for her device.

She pulls it out of reach and stuffs it in her bag. I could take it out and smash it right here and no one would do shit. But now I'm intrigued. Plus, that's not why I'm here.

"What do you say, Princess? Wanna test that thing out?"

She chokes on air before realizing I'm serious.

"Absolutely not." She scoffs at me.

I put my hand over my heart as if she’s wounded me, but she doesn't break. Well...fuck. "Let me know if you change your mind. I didn't come over to proposition you. That was just a bonus." I wink at her and I think she blushes a little, but she still isn't breaking her cool stare.

"No thanks." Her voice isn't even sarcastic. I think she means it to be, but she sounds so.... regal. As if her good manners just barely outweigh her sass. Or maybe that little showdown with Charlie taught her to tone down the attitude.

She begins zipping her bag and throwing it over her shoulder. I'm losing my shot here.

"Okay, listen. I just wanted to see if maybe you wanted to sneak up to the library for a movie tonight." There's just enough sparkle in her eyes to let me know she's interested. Good to know. Princess likes the idea of danger. Or maybe the word library gets her hot. Either way, I'm in.

"I could bring the snacks. You could bring a blanket. Just you and me." I bite my lip and it catches her focus. Pushing my luck, I run my tongue over my bottom lip.

There it is. A spark in her eyes as she watches my move. She isn't immune. No matter how much she wishes she were.

Now:

The scoreboard counts from 3, 2, 1.

Running over to Charlie, I grab him around the waist, lifting him off the ground. "We're back, baby!"

"Let me down, fucker." I set him back on solid ground and he pushes me away from him. When his helmet comes off, his grin matches my own.

I’m so fucking glad he decided to play again. I wouldn’t have done it without him. Charlie is a god on the field though. Ironically, it’s one of the few times I see him look human.

"Good game, boys." Jude claps us each on the shoulder. He wasn't interested in playing this year, but I know he'll still be at every game to cheer us on. "Charlie, just a warning. I saw your mom and Richard in the stands."

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