Page 41 of Caged in Flames

Chapter Nineteen

I’m not exactly the biggest fan of school as it is, but I don’t want to go to History today. Sawyer has been acting like a shady fuck ever since we had our conversation after the party, and I have no idea what to expect from him.

It’s not like I want to hide anything from Nix. Not really. But I haven’t separated the guys I met this summer with what I know now.

If I am struggling with this, I can’t imagine what it must have felt like for Nix. She hasn’t even told me exactly what happened

Charlie, Jude, and Sawyer are better suited for the drama club than football. Their acting skills are on par with Meryl Streep.

Nix and Jane spent lunch in the music room while I finished up some homework, so I end up meeting her in class today. When I get there, Sawyer's already sitting next to her.

He's leaning into her with his cocky grin on his face, probably trying to get a rise out of her. She's doing her best to ignore him, but her fingers are tapping away against her knee. When she reaches up to fix her hair, the sleeve of her shirt moves just enough for me to see the scar on her wrist.

Mother fucker.

I take my seat next to her, grabbing her hand and giving it a squeeze. Deciding to give the asshole something to wipe the smile off his face, I lean and kiss her cheek.

"Missed you at lunch today, Nixy. Did you get my notes for the event I picked?" She blushes the prettiest pink, but nods in response.

Sawyer's face snarls up, but he quickly hides it. Instead, it quickly transforms into a show of teeth that takes over his face. The kind of smile that could tempt an angel to fall from grace for a night of desire.

Only to be devastated when it’s over.

"You know what I miss? This dick from prep school. And by dick, I mean huge dick. Lock jaw type of situation if you get what I’m saying.” When we don’t respond, he leans over Nix’s desk. “Princess, know what I mean?"

Nix isn’t paying any attention though. She’s focusing on her notebook now.

This fucker. Ignoring him doesn’t stop him, though. "Honestly, you'd think a dude with that big of a cock would be all about receiving, but he was just as good at giving. Fuck, I've never come so hard in my life. I think he was my soulmate honestly. He's the only guy I've ever met who could rival my low standards on where to get his dick wet."

Nix keeps looking towards the back of the classroom. Her knee starts to bounce. The next time she does it, I catch what has captured her attention. She’s looking back at Brett McIntosh. Why the fuck is she staring at him so hard? Especially after the other day.

"Could you shut the fuck up already? We have a project to do." I try to keep my voice casual, but the look I get from Nix tells me I failed.

"Get to work. Presentations are next class period." Coach Pierce says the words before taking a seat at his desk with a sports magazine. When he crosses his leg over the opposite knee, he gives us all a flash of his nuts.

Fucking gross. I'm pretty sure that peanut m&ms are bigger than his testicles.

"Sure, I already picked my event," Sawyer says while twirling a pen in one hand. "In 1916 some lady named Margarita Salt opened the first birth control clinic."

Pulling out my phone to research the information, I correct him. "Do you mean Margaret Sanger?"

"That's what I said." This brings out a small giggle from Nix, surprising us both.

She pulls out her own notes. "That actually works great. Gunner found out the first woman was voted into the House of Representatives in 1917. Combine that with the 19th amendment in 1920, and we have our three major events."

Even though she’s focused on the project, something is still bothering her. To be honest the way she’s staring at Brett is bothering me. It hasn’t been that long since our kiss, but maybe she’s thinking about dating around while figuring shit out.

Then I hear it. He keeps beating his pencils against the desk like a drum set. It’s annoying to anyone, but for some reason it’s making her anxious. I hate it’s affecting her, but I’m relieved she wasn’t checking him out.

"Look at us. Bunch of feminist overachievers. You know what we should do to celebrate, Princess? That one thing with the scarves. Hell, maybe I'll let you tie me up this time."

Nix loses the calm composure she's maintained since he sat down on Monday. "Are you fucking kidding me? And stop calling me princess."

Sawyer actually looks sorry when he says it. "I didn't mean it. It was supposed to be a joke." Nix isn't hearing it though.

She raises her hand to get Coach Pierce's attention. "Coach, can I head to the bathroom? Sorry, cramps."

Of course, the man can't do much besides nod with a grimace. I guess women's issues aren't in his comfort zone.

---