Page 36 of Say You Hate Me
Pompous asshole.
I cross my arms as I traverse the length of the park, searching for our party. Sure enough, Anderson is sitting on a bench with Luca and Nathan.
Wearing a robe.
And a scarf—green and silver.
I didn’t notice either of those things in the dark.
Of course, the motherfucker is a Slytherin.
As I get closer, his eyes find mine, but his expression doesn’t change.
“You look ill,” Anderson chides, leaning back and giving me a smug smile. “Everything all right in there?”
I grind my teeth together.
Oh, so this is how it’s going to be.
“Just had an unfortunate run-in with someone who looked like a washed-up Draco Malfoy.” I stand up straighter and ignore the way his eyes blaze for a second.
Luca giggles. His cheeks are still flushed from drinking. “That’s funny, because you’re Hermione, I’m Harry, and Nathan insists he’s Ginny, but I digress. Oh my god, that reminds me,” he adds, opening his mouth dramatically. “Have you guys read the Dracoine fan-fiction?”
I stare at him. “Thewhat?”
Anderson smiles and looks at the ground, sucking in his cheeks.
“Draco/Hermione fan-fiction.” He makes a moaning sound with his throat that I don’t ever want to hear again coming from my brother. He fans his face and looks at each of us. “It. Is. HOT. I’m surprised little miss romance novel hasn’t ever read it. You think Fifty Shades is steamy? It ain’t got nothing on this Dracoine shit.”
Now I’m the one feeling sick. “Draco and Hermione hate each other,” I counter, giving Anderson a knowing look. “It would never happen. Hermione would never stoop that low.”
“There have actually been studies that show a big correlation between love and hate,” Nathan adds. For once, I want to tell him to shut up. “The physical reaction to both love and hate light up the same parts of your brain. Think about it,” he adds. “Your heart rate speeds up because they both cause adrenaline. Your stomach clenches. Your appetite and sleep are affected. Your inhibitions disappear. You’re no longer in control,” he finishes, shrugging.
Anderson laughs, but disguises it as a cough, looking away. All I can do is glare at him before Luca and Nathan stand up, suggesting we take a tour of the back lots in the main park before we leave. I grab my purse from the locker and follow the three men to Universal Studios.
I’ve definitely had enough of this for one day.
It’s just the four of us as we head to the tram ride. All the other employees are now in line for the castle ride—which I didn’t even get to enjoy. Anderson walks slowly, and I catch up with him as we pass under the misting entrance.
“By the way,” he says casually, his mouth pulled to the side. “I’ve read all the books and seen all the movies. I’m house Slytherin. I happen to like Draco’s character. I think he deserves more credit. Hermione’s not bad, either. I always had a crush on her.”
With that, he walks away, leaving me stunned.
Again.
To my delight, Luca chooses to sit with me on the tour, while Anderson and Nathan sit four rows behind us. It gives me an undivided hour with him—something I’m grateful for.
“How was Hawaii?” I ask, nudging his shoulder with mine.
Luca blushes. I’ve never seen him blush a day in my life.
“It was… amazing,” he whispers.
I smile. “I like him, Luca. You found a good one.”
“It’s all happening so fast,” he replies, giving me a worried look. “I’m scared it’s going to burn out too quickly and fizzle away.”
I look behind us, and Nathan is watching the back of Luca’s head with adoration. I casually give Anderson the finger before turning back around to face Luca.
