Page 68 of The Sweetest Revenge

"I'm not going to another party." My gaze flicked to Zaiden, who was pretending to be absorbed in his phone. I rolled my eyes. "I don't want to run into anyone from the football team yet."

"You don't have any classes with any of them?" Journey leaned forward, elbows on the table, her protective-friend mode activating.

I shook my head, twisting a paper napkin between my fingers.

"Well, that shouldn't be an issue." Mila tapped her manicured nail against the table decisively, like she was marking the end of a debate. "They're all leaving this morning for an away game. So the only people you may run into from the last party are dancers from our team."

"Come on, Ari." Journey's hand covered mine, squeezing gently. "You can't hide forever."

The truth was, I didn't care about what happened at the football party with Zaiden anymore. I'd done what I had to do to protect my friends from feeling the same humiliation I had. I wasn't ready to face E.J. and the team's rejection.

"I'll be there around nine." I traced a circle on the table with my fingertip, already regretting the commitment.

Zaiden's chair scraped back. "I gotta go." He stood in one fluid motion, slinging his backpack over his shoulder.

My gaze lifted, betraying me before I could stop it, following the line of his shoulders as he towered above our table.

"I'll meet you guys at the party tonight." He addressed the air somewhere above Journey's head, not bothering to check if they agreed.

Mila nodded, suddenly fascinated by something in her coffee cup. Traitor.

His focus shifted, locking on me like a predator spotting prey. "Ariella." My name in his mouth sounded like a command. "Walk me to class."

It wasn't a question; it was an order, delivered with the certainty of someone unused to hearing "no."

"No thanks." I turned back to my friends, shoulder angling to create a barrier, dismissing him.

"Hey—" My words dissolved into an undignified yelp as strong fingers circled my upper arm, lifting me from my seat with effortless strength. My coffee rocked in its cup.

"What the fu?—"

"I said," his lips brushed the shell of my ear, voice dropping to a register that vibrated through my bones, "walk me to class."

"We'll see you at the party, Ari." Mila pushed back her chair, exchanging a look with Journey that lasted a beat too long.

My fingers dug into the strap of my bag as Zaiden steered me toward the exit. "You guys are terrible friends," I hissed over my shoulder.

Journey's laugh bubbled up. Mila covered her mouth, but her eyes danced above her fingers. They waved with synchronized innocence, co-conspirators in whatever game they thought was happening.

The heavy door swung shut behind us with a dull thud, sealing us into the empty corridor. My arm burned where he'd gripped it, but I refused to rub the spot—refused to show weakness.

"What is your problem?" I backed away until concrete pressed cold against my spine. "You have a really weird way of convincing me to forgive you."

The lights caught the dangerous edge of his smile. "Forgive me?" Each slow step he took forward echoed in the hollow space. "For what exactly?"

"Don't play stupid. For destroying my life. For turning everyone against?—"

His laugh cut through the air. One hand pressed against the wall beside my head, and the scent of him surrounded me. His thumb traced his lower lip, a gesture that drew my gaze.

"Ariella." My name in his mouth was both a curse and a caress. "I never asked for your forgiveness."

The truth of those words hit harder than any accusation. I started to turn away, but his fingers caught my chin. Gentle, yet relentless. The contrast made my breath catch.

"I apologized for Kacie." His voice dropped lower, intimate in the empty hallway. "Only Kacie." His eyes searched mine, looking for something I wasn't sure I wanted him to find. "The rest?" That dangerous smile returned. "I meant every word, every action. And you?" His thumb brushed my jawline, feather-light. "You're mine. Take all the time you need to accept that." His lips dropped to my ear, the heat of his breath sending chills coursing over my body. "I licked it, so it's mine."

The worst part wasn't his arrogance. It was the way my traitor pulse jumped at his touch, betraying me with every beat. "I'm a patient man, but make no mistake, you're mine."

I shoved his hand away and squared my shoulders. "I don't belong to anyone." My jaw flexed.

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