Page 134 of Forbidden Lessons

My gaze flicks back to Haven. She’s staring at the head of GAZ, a brunette with extensions, fake nails, and fake tits.

But as if feeling my eyes on her, she gives me another nervous glance.

I can see her throat move as she swallows.

Yeah, Little Miss Heavenly.

Rooke can’t protect you now.

It’s just me and you.

Chapter 37

Kai

“Last item on the agenda,” Hillary says. “The dean spoke to me this morning. She wants to encourage more physical donations this year, not just cash. Something to show that people actually give a shit about Riverside, and they’re not just getting their tax write offs.”

A bored murmur moves through the students clustered around the GAZ dining table. We’ve been at this for two hours, and shit’s getting stale as fuck.

“Blankets,” a senior calls out. “Always need blankets.”

“Blankets are already on the list.”

“Canned food?”

“Has anyone actually looked at the list?” Hillary says, pressing her fingertips to her temple like she’s getting a headache.

She’s not the only one. Everyone here looks like they’d rather be studying calculus than dealing with the nitty-gritty of party planning. We dealt with all the fun shit at the last few meetings—lining up the DJs, making sure there were enough party supplies.

And I’m not talking about red solo cups.

This isn’t my first Rain Dance, and despite everything that’s kicked me in the balls so far this semester, I’m looking forward to it.

I might even leave Haven alone and concentrate on enjoying the party.

Yeah, who the fuck am I kidding?

Tormenting this girl is quickly becoming my favorite pastime.

As if thinking her name drove her out of whatever day dream she’d been stuck in, she blinks and glances around the dining table. She’s become a fucking guru at avoiding eye contact with me, though.

If I had a beer right now, I’d be asking someone to hold it.

“What’s the plan, Haven?” I ask, the words a little muffled with my plastic straw in my mouth. I try to keep a sucker on me at all times. It’s probably the only thing that’s helped me quit smoking.

Fuck nicotine patches. Raspberry suckers are the way to go.

“The…plan?” Her confusion is downright adorable.

“Yeah. You got a seat at the table for a reason.” I use my sucker to point at the varnished golden teak. “Why the hell else would you be here?” I let my chair fall forward with a thump that makes Haven jump in her seat. “Give us the intel, Riversider. What do you guys need down there?” I stage-whisper, my sucker stick pointing the way.

She flushes, and just for a moment, I swear I can see those marks around her throat.

There’s a queasy feeling in my stomach. Part pride, part jealousy. I did that. Me. But fuck knows if I actually want anyone to know that. Ever.

Melissa stands so fast, her chair almost falls over. “How dare you speak to a GAZ sister like that?”

“Actually, Melissa?” Hillary leans forward, arms on the table, boxing in the impressively thick file she’s compiled for the dance. “Haven isn’t a sister. She’s not even a pledge?—“

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