Page 65 of Cruel Legacy

“Read a book, listen to music, andmind my own fucking business.” I say when the guy in front of me turns around again.

Finn chuckles, eliminating the last bit of space between us. He’s standing so close I can feel the heat coming off of him and I get a whiff of metal. It must be the shavings from whetting his knives. “You’ve got claws, Pet.”

“Sure do, and you’re crowding my space, so back up before you get scratched up.”

His lips tickle my ear, when he says, “Don’t tease, Pet. I’m into that. Let’s skip lunch and go play.”

“Play what?”

“Oh, just a little game I like to call, let’s see how many times can I make you scream my name before you lose your voice.” His fingers dig into my hip as he grinds against me. My mouth goes dry, and my clit throbs from the way he’s holding me and the suggestive nature of his voice. He wraps my ponytail around his fist and tugs. “You like games, don’t you, Pet?”

“Only the kind I can win.”

He releases my hair and steps back. “You play your cards right with me, and you’ll earn more than bragging rights.”

He smacks my ass, then steps around me to meet his friends at their table. What the hell just happened? I check for my phone, and wallet. The easiest way to pick somebody’s pocket is to do it while they’re distracted. Everything’s here.

I step forward, order my food, and move to the end of the counter to wait, trying to work out what Finn was up to. LJ’s in a study session so I’m eating alone today. We’ve done some table hopping and finally settled on a spot at the farthest end of the room, by the side door. It’s out of the way, of all the other tables. A secluded spot, but it means I have to walk past the red rope section to get to it. I grab my tray and head that way.

I glance over at the legacy table when I walk by. It looks like Finn’s already forgotten about wanting me to scratch him. He’s sitting with a girl I’ve seen hanging out with the sorority chicks. I arch a brow as I pass. Busted you on your bullshit buddy.

Once I’m seated, I pull my map out of my bag and put my headphones in, drowning out the noise. I study markings for the parts of town I’ve already visited. No luck finding a trail yet, but I’m having fun exploring. For the next half hour, I plot a new route, while listening to my tunes and scarfing down my food.

I can’t hear anything, but I get the distinct impression I’m being watched. It’s hard to explain, but whenever I’m under scrutiny, it feels like the air around me is heavy. I turn my phone camera on, setting it to selfie mode, and raise it up, holding it as if I’m scrolling for something else to listen to. No one’s directly behind me. That means whoever’s watching me is across the room. Only one table over there ever pays me any attention.

I’ve been in a good mood today. I aced my ethics test. I’m ahead on my English paper and I shaved forty-five seconds off my run time in Coach Wolfe’s class. I refuse to engage with the Coxsuckers. They’ll onlytryto ruin my day.

Turning my attention back to my map, I study the side of town I’ll be exploring tonight. Canyon Falls is a lot bigger than I thought. I still couldn’t tell you what people do for fun around here, but I’m having a blast seeing all the different sides of town.

I finish my lunch and stuff my map back in my bag. I’ve got six minutes to get to class. The teacher hinted at a pop quiz, and I don’t want to be late. I dump my tray and head to the side door. Just as I’m pushing it open, a distinct grumble reaches my ear. “Fucking bitch, why are you always in my goddamn way?”

This door is a little loose, as if maintenance went extra heavy on oiling the hinges. You have to hold the door until the hinges catch to make sure it doesn’t swing closed too fast. I push through the door and let it go. Snickering when I hear it make contact. Here’s hoping it improves Pax’s face.

* * *

LJ’s waiting for me outside of my last class. There’s a mixer at Haven House tonight. Our second stop on the, Get LJ Noticed by a Sorority Tour. We’re getting ready at my dorm because I have a private bathroom and more space. And booze. I put my fake ID to good use and stacked up on some wine and liquor when I wasn’t eating at The Rock.

I’m going to all these mixers for her, and she’s learning to take shots for me. LJ’s got the better end of the deal. She’s discovering what kind of drinks she likes, and I’m reaffirming my opinion that I hate the idea of joining any clubs.

We ride the elevator in silence. I can tell LJ’s nervous about tonight and I’m letting her process it in her own way. There will be plenty of time to get her hyped while we’re getting ready.

The doors open, on my floor, and we’re treated to the sight of my grumpy asshole neighbor walking down the middle of the hall. Not on one side or the other. Just straight down the middle. His face looks fine. He must’ve stopped the door with his hand. Next time I’ll have to time the momentum of the swing better.

LJ goes to move out of his way but I yank her back up against me. Fuck that. If he needs to get by, he can walk around us or we’re all gonna collide. At the last minute Pax shifts to his left. I chuckle when he bumps his shoulder into mine.

“You okay, Thea?” LJ asks

“Yup. Didn’t feel a thing.” I turn to look at him. “Bet that’s not the first time you heard that is it, Tiny Tim?”

“Tiny Tim? What’s that?” LJ asks, casting a furtive glance at him.

“Oh he knows exactly what I mean.” The elevator doors close before he can say anything.

When I turn back towards my room, I see Finn and Holden standing in the hall. Finn gives me a disapproving look. “Are you poking the bear, Pet?”

“Bear?” I snort. “I think you mean guppy. He’s not scaring anyone.”

LJ pipes in, “He scares, me.”

---