Page 158 of Saving Sparrow
“Well, no, but—”
“And he doesn’t need tolookviolent. He could be the twink Tim Bundy for all we know.”
“Ted,” Miguel cut in.
“Huh?” Quentin frowned.
“Ted Bundy.”
“Whatever.” Quentin refocused on me. “Point is, he could be luring you in, setting things up for a more sinister plan. Next thing you know, you’re hogtied, and he’s topping you in heels.” He narrowed his eyes at the back of Kayden’s head. “Not on my watch.”
I didn’t know who Ted Bundy was, but it didn’t take a genius to guess he was someone dangerous. “It’s a drag show, with men who will look like me, well, sort of. And you’re invited. A whole lot of people are invited. I wasn’t the only one he handed a flyer to.”
“And let me guess, he invited you to his place to get your makeup done, didn’t he?”
“Well, no. Rachel said she’d do my makeup in her dorm, and it wasn’t necessarily for the drag show.”
“Ah, Rachel,” he mused, “how could I forget about the co-conspirator?”
Rachel slipped in then, Professor Ingram right behind her. Kayden moved his bag off the chair next to him so she could have the seat. Neither of them noticed me up here.
“Miguel and I can prance around the apartment in one of your dresses, and I’ll buy out the whole makeup section in the drugstore. Will that make you happy?” he hissed, green eyes darkening. The class was pretty full now, but luckily, there were still some empty seats around us.
“And how will I know how to apply the makeup?” I snapped back, our noses almost touching.
“That’s what YouTube is for.”
I was so angry I could have screamed, but I didn’t because Professor Ingram started calling attendance. I dug my MacBook out of my bag, setting it down on the table harder than I’d intended. Heads turned, Kayden’s and Rachel’s included. They smiled, waving at me. I waved back, forgetting about the caveman next to me.
Quentin’s grip on my neck tightened as he leaned over to whisper in my ear. “If you’re trying to make me jealous, pretty girl, it’s working.”
“Please behave,” I said to Quentin when class ended. Kayden and Rachel stood chatting down below as everyone else filed out, clearly waiting for me.
“I make no promises.”
I looked at Miguel, in need of help. He avoided my gaze, but at least he jumped in.
“Football,” he reminded Quentin. “Don’t get yourself suspended for doing something stupid.”
Quentin grunted but nodded.
“Thank you,” I said to Miguel, but he shouldered his backpack and headed down the lecture hall steps without acknowledging my gratitude.He and Quentin reached the bottom first, but I hurried ahead of them to make introductions.
“Hey, Elliott,” Rachel said cheerfully. “Good to see you again.”
“Yeah, we were talking about you last night,” Kayden said. “Did you decide if you’re coming to drag night?”
“Well—”
“He can’t make it,” Quentin interrupted me. “We’ve got plans.”
“Oh!” Kayden’s brows raised with obvious interest. “Are these the boyfriends? I wholeheartedly approve.”
He strutted closer to Quentin, playfully asking, “You got room in your harem for one more, big guy? Just kidding, I’m already taken. Oh, but look what big muscles you have.” He pinched Quentin’s biceps, and unable to resist—even while in a bad mood—Quentin flexed his arm.
I wasn’t threatened by Kayden, and Miguel didn’t seem to be either as he rolled his eyes at Quentin. Kayden was a flirtatious, playful guy. That much was easy to pick up on. I didn’t take his antics seriously.
“You must play for the Hawks,” Kayden said. “I’m good at reading people, and you give off badass star athlete vibes.”
