Page 76 of Believe In Us

“You better watch that feisty little tongue princess,” Drake snarls, releasing Stella and stepping toward Wynter. “It might get caught, you never know with us,animals. We might get a little hungry and have a bite.”

I’ve got to give Wynter some credit for not retreating or cowering down at Drake’s advance. He’s pretty intimidating though she simply watches him curiously, her gaze trailing down his body, which must look dangerously alluring in his black jeans and matching sleeveless tank, showing off all the ink covering his arms and neck. Though her glare doesn’t look aroused, more uninterested than anything. I guess the Dragon doesn’t have his usual effect on the Ice Princess.

“Oh please, you don’t know me Damon Drake. I’m not like most of the girls around here.” Wynter steps forward, perfection in her black fitted jumpsuit and matching five-inch heels, as she tucks her platinum blond hair behind her ear. Crystal clear blue eyes stare intently at him while she leans forward, her face just an inch away from his neck. It’s mesmerizing to watch, all eyes glued to them wondering what will happen next. “I bite back,” she whispers, just loud enough for all of us to hear.

“Ugh please don’t bite Wyn, you might get rabies or something,” Kins cries out, our attention moving to her.

“Fuck off Kinsley,” I shout, standing to meet her. “You can insult me all you want but leave my friends alone bitch. Besides, we don’t have the time, nor energy to listen to another one of your pathetic tantrums.

Instead of her usual pouting that happens when we diss her, a knowing smirk appears. “I’m not the one who will be throwing the tantrum darling,” she says. Her voice dripping in phony seduction. “Sebastian dear, have you told her yet?” she asks, my gaze immediatelyturning back to Bass who sits casually on the bench not paying any attention to us.

“Fuck off Kins, there’s nothing to fucking say,” he mutters, looking down at the ground. He’s nervous, I can tell by his posture and the way he shifts in his seat.

“Oh but there is my dear Sebastian, or have you forgotten already,” she coos.

“What the fuck are you talking about Kinsley?” I shout, though I’m not sure what I’m more pissed at, her insistence or Sebastian’s indifference.

“Prom darling, what else? Please tell me he broke the news to you.” She steps forward, stopping about a foot away, her five-inch stilettos making her just about my height, “Sebastian and I will be going to Prom together. Daddy’s already planned it all out with Daddy Silver. Dinner and drinks atLe Debutant,arriving in a brand new, limited edition Bugatti Chiron Noire, the perfect Givenchy gown fit for a princess, and to end a perfect evening, the presidential suite atThe Gallant Hotel. It will be a magical night.”

Anger threatens to push me over the edge, blood coursing through my veins like molten lava pulverizing everything in its way. I can hear my heartbeat blaring loudly in my ears, as she stares smugly at me like she’s fucking won. “What the fuck is she talking about Sebastian?”

“Nothing babe, fuck off Kinsley,” Bass calls out, finally standing but not advancing toward me.

I’m beyond furious, how fucking dare he not rip the bitch apart for even insinuating that he’s going with her. I mean, we haven’t discussed it yet and he hasn’t asked me, but I’m fucking carrying his baby. He’s completely insane if he thinks I’m to let him go with someone else, despite what daddy says. “Fuck off Kinsley, is that honestly all you have to fucking say?” I turn my rage on him, as he watches me with confusion etched into the sharp edges of his face.

“What do you want me to say Jade, she’s fucking crazy,” he raises his hands in annoyance, “I never asked her to go with me.”

“Oh no need sweetheart,” Kinsley says, moving toward him. She reaches out and places a hand on his shoulder, “Like I said Daddy has it all figured out. Your father will probably summon you later today to give you all the details.”

Her hands are on him and I see fucking red. To make matters worse, the fucking asshole doesn’t move, doesn’t push her hand away or tell her to stop. He just watches me, surely thinking it's the pregnancy that has me all fired up andoverreacting. My eyes leave his for a moment as I look around at all of my friends, watching this play out before them, their stares proving I’m fucking crazy for putting up with this, with him. Scarlett’s eyes are red, about to burst into sobs. Ace is glaring at his best friend, and I know he would have put an end to this a long time ago if it were Carrington who was spewing venom like the snake she is. Stella watches me with sad, understanding eyes, while Kai and Drake both look like they're about to pounce on Sebastian if he doesn’t react.

This is never going to end. Kinsley proves she’s planning to stick around, Bass’s dad has made plenty of threats, ensuring me he has his son’s future mapped out and I don’t fit into those plans. Baby or not, he’ll find a way to get rid of me.

I can’t take it, I shouldn’t have to.

Kinsley turns back to me, her menacing eyes looking back to Wynter who stands behind me. “Oh god Wyn, she really thought he’d be going with her. Oh sweetie no, no. He’s not going to prom with the likes of you, not if daddy has anything to say about it, and you know when it comes to these boys, daddy’s word is the law.”

“Woah there slow down gorgeous,”Liam calls out, catching me as I crash into him nearly toppling us both to the ground. I’m panting out of breath, my lungs burning as I breathe hard through my mouth.

“Liam, shit, I’m sorry. I just, let me go please, I need to get outof here.” I push off of him, moving to keep running but he grabs my arm before I can get away.

“Jade, come one what’s wrong? You’re scaring me, are you in danger?” he asks, his eyes wide with worry as he looks around for the presentdangerI must be fleeing.

I shake my head, turning around to check if Sebastian is still following behind me. I lost him in the middle of the circus acrobats who were putting on a parade, Cirque du Soleil style, in the middle of the walkway leading this way, but I know my head start won’t last long. He’s fast, especially if he’s chasing after something he wants, or something that’s running away from him.

“I got into another fight with Bass okay, I just need to leave before he finds me.”

“Come on Jade, you’re so much better than him. He doesn’t deserve you when all he does is hurt you,” he mutters, running a hand over my cheek, wiping away the stray tears I hadn’t realized escaped. His words cut deep because of how real they are, what happened just moments ago proves that, yet I didn’t choose Sebastian. It’s out of my control. I tried to keep away, even tried spending more time with Liam, but my heart, my body, my soul wouldn’t give him up.

I pull away from him, losing my balance and almost fumbling backward. “Liam, I appreciate your worry but you don’t know anything about us okay, I’d appreciate it if you just kept your comments to yourself. Besides, I’m still pissed at you for tattle-tailing on me like if I was a fucking child. I can handle my own, thank you.”

“I’m sorry about that Jade, really I am,” he utters, a genuine apology leaving his lips.

“I know, and I promise you, I’ll forgive you if you just get out of my way.”

“Okay,” he says looking behind me. “He’s coming, why don’t you run into the fun house, and I’ll try to distract him until youmake it out.” I nod my head in agreement, placing a soft kiss upon his cheek.

“Thank you Liam, you are a true friend.” He nods, as I less than subtly friend-zone him, accepting that’s all we’ll ever be.

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