Page 11 of Shadow and Skulls

“What a dumbass,” he whispers under his breath. He sets his ice cream down before opening his door.

“Wait! What are you doing?” I lean across the seat, my fingers grazing his jacket as he pulls away from me.

I’m expecting him to confront Jason, because that’s something a Skull would do. But that’s not what he does. I look in my rearview mirror as he rounds my car. I lean away from him when he opens the door. He plucks the ice cream from my hand while tugging me out of the car at the same time. Before I know what’s happening, he’s lifting me onto the hood. He steps between my legs, and stares into my wide eyes.

“Showtime,” he says quietly.

Jesus, he has the prettiest moss-green eyes. A smirk pulls at one side of his mouth before he feeds me a spoonful of ice cream.

… and then he kisses me. His tongue spears between my lips as his hand wraps gently around my throat. My eyes fall closed.Oh my god, he’s kissing me!When I gasp into his mouth his only response is to push my head back, deepening the kiss.

The air leaves my lungs, and my head feels all kinds of fuzzy.What is happening?

His hot mouth contrasted against the cold ice cream makes me shiver against him. He smiles against my lips. My stomach does this funny little dip and flip, and I swear to god my scalp is tingling as if my hair were growing.

Jason revs his engine beside us. My eyes fly open, and I try to jerk away from Tank, but he doesn’t allow it, only tightening his grip. His fingertips dig lightly into the muscles at the side of my neck. Embarrassingly, a little noise escapes from somewhere in the back of my throat.

Our eyes are open, and we stare at each other. All thoughts of Jason leave my mind right along with the squeal of his tires.

Tank continues to kiss me for several more seconds before he finally pulls away. His eyes never leave mine. A look of concern begins to replace the heated one he was just giving me.

“What was that about?” he asks, waving his hand toward the spot Jason was just parked in.

I shake my head, confused by his sudden change in demeanor. “Yes, whatwasthat about?” I snap, throwing his question back at him. My chin juts out as I struggle to control the tremble of my voice.

He leans forward, crowding my space. I hold tough for a total of two seconds before sliding away from him. My therapist would be so disappointed in me.

“I’m pretty sure that was Jason dumping me,” I mumble my pathetic response. I pull up my legs and spin away from him, jumping off the side of the hood. Tears are already running down my cheeks as I fumble to open my door.

His chest heaves fast as he continues to stare at me through the windshield. He’s so angry. I know it’s not directed at me, but …

The fear on my face must show, because he steps away from my car, softening the scowl on his. It’s too late. I’m done. My hand trembles as I back away. My eyes go to the rearview mirror as I turn out onto the road.

Oh my god. I really just left the VP of the NorCal Chapter stranded.

I left him!

Instead of going to Billie Rose’s, I decide it’s best I go home.

My hands are still shaking when I dump his uneaten hot fudge sundae in the trash.

What the hell just happened?

Chapter Three

Kelsie

I’m rubbing sleep from my eyes when I reach for my locker.

“Balloons!” Charlotte squeals.

My hand pauses mid-air as I stare at the blown-up condoms that are stuck all over my locker. I grab Charlotte’s hand and hurry down the hall.

“I’m not feeling well, Charlotte. Go on to your room.” I point down the hall and then rush to the bathroom. I wait for the last student to filter out when the bell rings, and then I slide to the ground.

The door opens, and a tiny head peaks in. “Kelsie,” Charlotte says my name quietly, lowering to the ground beside me.

I smile at her. “I’m okay, sweetie. I think I’m going to go home today. I must have the flu or something.”

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