Page 134 of Cruel Legacy

“Afternoon, beautiful.”

I said I wouldn’t go over there and start any shit, but that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy this time away from their smothering scrutiny and petty jabs. I lean into Austin’s side and slide a fry through the ketchup and cheese before popping it in my mouth. I chuckle at his strangled gasp when I suck the ketchup off my thumb.

The conversation flows freely around the table and I relax more than usual, since I’m not on guard for an attack from one of the pussy posse members.

I’ve been here for nearly three months, and today is the first day I feel like I’m having a normal college lunch experience. Not including my momentary psychotic break when I was apledge.

In fact, I’m feeling so chill that I don’t complain when LJ agrees for us to watch Austin’s teammate Oscar, pull some random stunt on Friday night, or when Oscar reaches down to hold LJ’s hand as he walks her to class. She tosses a look at me over her shoulder. We have a silent conversation with our eyes. She’s okay with it, then I am too.

But if not, in the immortal words of Mrs. Sprout, I’ll cut a bitch.

My peace and reprieve are over when I finally get back to my dorm. The Coxsuckers are parked outside the building, arms folded across their chests like gang enforcers. Their entertainment is back in its usual form, too, but all the tits in the world aren’t enough for them to miss my approach.

Conversely, I don’t miss that they’re scowling at Austin over my shoulder. There’s a scowl meter and Pax is usually at the top of the grid, but today, the math genius might be winning.

He usually looks at me with indifference or curiosity, but today, I’m getting a full on scowl. His grey eyes are dark like an impending storm. When they sweep over me, I no shit feel a chill in my bones. I don’t know what I did to earn this reaction.

We’ve been doing great with our passive animosity towards each other. If he wants to ramp it up to active animosity, I’m happy to add him to the list. “Problem, Pretty Boy?”

I ignore the way Finn’s brows jump to the top of his forehead. This has nothing to do with him.

I see Eloise and her shadows moving closer. I ignore them too. It’s Holden glaring at me like he wants to rip my head off, so he can damn well explain why he’s suddenly decided to go full asshole. Or maybe I already know the answer.

“Awe, do you boys have indigestion? Did sitting around with future Pax give you a glimpse into just how much of an uptight prick he’s gonna be in old age? All anti-fun and shit, and now you’re mad at me, because I’ve been right about him all this time?”

I step closer. “It’s not too late to change teams. Come over to the dark side.”

I’m close enough to touch him and for some reason- okay, not just some reason, it’s because I’ve thought about doing it once or twice since the night he freaked out on me- I actually reach out and do it.

Resting my hand on his shoulder, I stand up on my toes and coo… “Come on, Pretty Boy, let loose for once in your life.”

I can’t even describe what happens to his eyes. I don’t have time to process any of it, because someone from the bitch brigade takes it upon themselves to put their hands on me.

What happens next is crazy as shit. I turn around and push her off of me. She stumbles into some dude I’ve seen hanging around Michael, and he steps around her to confront me. Like it’s my fault the bitch wobbled in her heels.

I’m in the middle of reminding myself about Deacon’s no fighting rule when the guy grabs me. This is where it gets crazy. Holden snatches me backward and he, Finn and Pax create a wall between me and the guy.

Like I said, crazy as shit, because there’s no way these three are trying to protect me. For one, I don’t need it, and two, Holden and Pax can’t stand me. But holy shit.

I keep trying to squeeze between them, but they’re so fucking wide I can’t find an opening, and when I try to dart around them, Austin is there, blocking my way.

“Is there a problem?” I recognize the tone of Finn’s voice. He’s probably got his blade out, ready to play.

“I’d say. That bitch pushed me.”

I might not be able to get around them, but my mouth still works. “The bitch pushed someone else.Shefell into you, andyou’rethe one acting like a pussy about it.”

“Come say that shit to my face.”

“I’m trying, you fucking cry baby. Stop hiding behind the Coxsuckers and come face me like a man.”

Holden is the one who speaks next. “You will not be getting around us to confront her. What you will be doing is brushing this shit off and walking away with your balls intact.”

He cracks this neck, making his words sound more ominous.

“Or,” Finn says, “We can go with option two.”

I’m just spit balling here, but I think I want option two. If it’s Holden tackling folks like he did on the football field. I’m all for option two. But if option two is them fucking with this dude’s accounts, I’ll pass. I know how much of a pain and bore that option actually is.

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