Page 21 of Wicked Dreams

“I will. This time.” She pursed her lips, appraising me quickly. “But if it happens again, itwillbe taken care of, protests or not. Understand?”

I nodded. “I understand.” I quickly pushed past her and left the locker room before she could try to give me a pep talk about being here to help me. I rushed to my locker and slammed it closed, upset I didn’t have anything to carry my books in. Hell, I didn’t even have all my books since some of them were in my missing backpack. Wes was waiting when I turned around.

“Leave me the hell alone,” I snapped, backing away from him.

“Easy. I come in peace,” he said, holding his hands up. I eyed him wearily. They were all a bunch of liars. He must have sensed my hesitation because he stopped walking toward me. “Olivia, I’m sorry, OK. I'm sorry about the party. I didn’t know Brent was planning on tricking you into bed with him—”

“I didn’t screw him,” I hissed angrily. “He’s lying.”

“OK. OK, you didn’t do it. I’m glad. I didn’t think you really did. You’re not that type of girl—”

“You don’t know what type of girl I am,” I growled at him. “So, let’s cut the shit. Why are you really here? Are you going to push me down? Tar and feather me? Give me my clothes back and record me while you do it, so you guys can all share a laugh later?”

“I just came to say I’m sorry. I wanted you to know that I’m not like them.”

“Bullshit. Just stay away from me, Wes.” I turned on my heel not waiting for him to answer. I went out to my car and let out a yelp of happiness when the engine rolled over and started on the first try. Slamming it into reverse, I drove toward my house just as rain began to pelt my windshield. Old Faithful gave a shuddering wheeze as we splashed through a deep puddle on the road.

“No. No, no, no, no!” I hissed, pulling over to the curb and trying to start the car. It gave an angry whine causing me to punch my dash angrily. I groaned in pain. That probably hadn’t been my most brilliant idea ever. Clutching my hand, I got out of the car in the pouring rain. Immediately, I was drenched.

“Can this day get any fucking worse?” I shouted as I kicked the tire uselessly. Popping the hood, I ducked beneath it and started jiggling wires, not knowing if I was actually even accomplishing anything. I dashed back to the front seat soaking wet and turned the key. The car ground out another angry protest at me.

“Fucking bitch,” I snarled, slapping the steering wheel. “Damnit!” I clutched my hand again. Releasing a moan, my head fell back against the headrest. I didn’t even have my phone to use to try call for help. It was probably wherever my clothes were. If I had to guess, I’d say they were all buried beneath a pile of today’s chili and old milk cartons from the cafeteria.

Sighing, I got out of the car again, hoping by some miracle me wiggling the wires under the hood more would create a spark of magic, thus reviving Old Faithful who wasn’t exactly living up to her name.

“Need some help?” a voice called out to me. I peered around the hood, the rain still coming down in torrents. There was Wes.

“No. I’m good.” I grabbed the hood and slammed it closed, pushing past him to get back into my car. His hand came out and grabbed my arm, pulling me to a stop.

“I can help you. At least let me give you a ride. You can’t sit out here all afternoon in the rain.” Blue eyes peered at me from beneath thick lashes, no sign of trickery written on his handsome face. Of course, there hadn’t been the night of the party either.

“Yeah, you can help me. By leaving me the hell alone.” I jerked my arm away from him and stomped back to my car door. I climbed inside and was surprised when he got into the passenger side.

“Seriously, get out.”

“No. I want to help you. Just let me, damnit.”

“Why?” I demanded. “You want to find some sort of redemption for your shitty actions? Guess what? I’m not a priest. You don’t need to confess your wrongdoings to me. I’m well aware of them. I don’t give a shit what you did in the past. All I know is you need to get the hell out of my car this instant before I—”

“What? Before you what?” he challenged. “If you could call for help, you already would have. The way I see it, you could really use a friend. So just shut up and let me help.”

He was right, making me hate him just a little bit more. He must have sensed my crumbling resolve because he continued talking in a rush.

“I’ll take you home. Promise. No games. No tricks.”

“Fine,” I grunted, reaching for my purse. He snatched it away from me before I could take it. I scowled at him as he shot me a timid smile. “If you mess with me in any way, you’ll be sorry.” I didn’t know what the hell would happen considering I had no way to get back at anyone, but I hoped the threat would keep me safe.

I followed him to his car, which of course was new, and slid onto the leather seat. He immediately cranked the heat up and turned on the heated seats. I sank back into them gratefully, a little thankful that he’d come along. Maybe I’d be more thankful if I made it home without any harm coming to me. It was a wait and see game.

He eased the car back onto the road, both of us silent for most of the trip.

“Are you hungry? We could go grab some food—”

“Just take me home. Please.” I added the last bit hoping I sounded politer than I felt.

“I’ll buy—”

“Wes, seriously,” I snapped. “What’s really going on here? Why the sudden sainthood?”

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