Page 84 of Depraved Desires

Paisley wrapped her hand around Jessica’s bicep, urging her to back down. The dumb bitch in question just shook her off, clearly having some kind of death wish.

Despite the fear written all over her face, she raised her chin. I had to give her props for it, but challenging these guys was a waste of time. They were inhumane, and always took it a step further than you’d think that they’d go.

My hand moved to my chest as I rubbed at it, remembering how my lungs burned as they fought for oxygen. I was lucky to even be alive.

As if sensing my inner turmoil, Collin’s hand found my free one beneath the table. His fingers laced through the gaps in mine, and I was surprised with how his simple touch felt so comforting. My grip tightened around his as I used it to anchor myself. Closing my eyes, I breathed carefully. Focusing on the feel of his palm pressed against mine.

When I opened my eyes once more, Foster and Jessica were still staring one another down. If she didn’t shut the hell up, it was going to end badly for her. Not that I gave a shit. She wasn’t exactly an innocent bystander.

Madison looked at Collin, and then at me. My heart rate sped up when her gaze dropped to our arms that were overlapping one another’s beneath the table. Her jaw tightened, and she instantly moved toward us, ignoring Paisley’s pleas for her to stop. She ripped our arms apart forcefully before moving around him and clambering onto his lap like a dog in heat. Her thick, fruity perfume wafted around the vicinity, clogging my nose. It took everything in me not to gag.

With disgust contorting my features, I scooted away from them, finding myself right next to Foster’s vacant seat instead. A surge of jealousy sprouted within me, coiling tightly around mystomach before expanding into the other parts of my body. I had no right to feel this way. It didn’t make sense for me to. But the feeling was there all the same.

I half-expected him to knock her off his lap. They weren’t even together, and it didn’t seem like he was interested. But to my complete and utter surprise, his hand snaked around her waist instead, holding her in place against him.

Humiliation settled inside of me. I was a damn fool. For one second, I believed he might have actually given a shit about me. My gaze caught Myles’s from across the table, his expression softer than I’d expect from him. It was like he could read every thought flickering through my brain, and that only set me even more on edge.

“What do you want, Jess?” Hunter demanded, drawing everyone’s attention toward him.

“I want to talk.” She shrugged.

These girls seriously didn’t know how to take a hint. Then again, Collin was confusing as hell. One minute, he wanted nothing to do with Madison, and the next, he was welcoming her back with open arms.

I need a drink.

With Jessica’s attention otherwise occupied, Foster dropped back into his seat, his leg brushing against mine. He glanced over, a frown tugging at his lips as he noticed our sudden close proximity. It didn’t take him long to put two and two together, and thankfully, he didn’t make me move like I’d partially expected him to do.

“I’ve already said everything I needed to,” Hunter drawled, losing his patience. “You’re a controlling bitch who sucks the life out of everything. I can’t do it anymore.”

Jessica narrowed her eyes at the insult. By now, we’ve caught the attention of a few students seated nearby. I reached across the table, pulling my plate toward me. Before it could reachits destination, Madison grabbed it. Her gaze promising me nothing but revenge right before she knocked it off the table and let it clatter to the floor.

My stomach growled in protest and anger surged through me like a wildfire. As much as I didn’t want to bring anymore attention my way, that was a low blow. No one fucked with my food. My hands balled into fists, and I started to rise, but a hand on my thigh stopped me in my tracks.

Foster shot me a pointed look and discreetly shook his head. The feel of his hand sent electricity shooting through the thin fabric of my leggings, scorching the skin underneath.

“I’m not leaving until you come talk to me,” Jessica said firmly, folding her arms across her chest.

“We could always make you leave,” Myles offered, speaking up for the first time. His gaze darkened, like that idea appealed to him more than it should have.

This was getting out of hand. All I wanted was a day of normalcy. Instead, we were ambushed by the school’s mean bitches and my food was now a mess all over the tiled floor. At least I’d managed to eat someof it before it had been wasted. That thought did little to comfort me. My stomach still felt like an empty pit.

Hunter let out a defeated sigh. “Ten minutes,” he told her. “That’s it.”

A cocky smirk hooked the corner of her mouth and she nodded, looking smug as hell. “That’s all I need.” Her arms fell to her sides as she waited for him expectantly.

I watched in confusion as he followed her out of the cafeteria, wondering where the hell they were going to talk.

“They’re going to end up fucking,” Foster whispered, reading the confusion that was probably written all over my face. “It’s what always happens.”

My stomach plummeted at his admission. Why would Hunter continue to put himself through that? It seemed…like self-sabotage to me. Then again, he could do whatever the hell he wanted. As long as he kept her away from me, I didn’t give a shit.

Foster grabbed a fry off his tray and offered it to me, making my heart race wildly in surprise. I furrowed my eyebrows, wondering if this was some kind of sick joke. He wasnevernice to me. Reluctantly, I took the fry and bit off the tip. The salty substance burst along my tongue, and that just pissed me off even more about my own food.

“Thanks,” I muttered.

Paisley shifted awkwardly from foot to foot as she glanced around our table. There was no way I’d be offering her a seat. As far as I was concerned, she was just as fucked up in the head as the two girls she’d befriended.

“Want to get out of here?” Foster asked me, surprising me again. What the hell has gotten into him today?

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