Page 15 of Casper
“Well, damn,” Codie said, looking perplexed. “I knew Casper was into you, but I didn’t realize he was murder a guy into you.”
“It’s messing with my head. He told me that I’m his to protect. But what if I don’t want to be his to protect?” I glanced between both girls, hoping they would offer me some sage advice.
Storm’s blue eyes filled with sympathy as she nodded in understanding. “I wish I knew what to tell you, girl. All I can say is that maybe it’s not all bad. Casper was there when you needed him. That’s a good thing, right?”
“Is it though?” Having completely lost what was left of my appetite, I put the lid back on my rice bowl. My stomach was too tense for food.
Codie rested her chin in a hand, lightly gnawing her pinky fingernail. “The guy in the haunted house I totally get. That was a serious situation. As far as Brandy goes, it sounds like Casper is pretty serious about protecting you. Maybe a little too serious. He is pretty intense. I think he has a good soul deep down. It’s up to you if you want to give him a chance or not.”
“And if I don’t? What then? I’m not getting the feeling he’s going to let me go that easily. Let’s be real here. Rebel and Stray didn’t take no for an answer.” I didn’t mean to turn this back around on the two of them. However, the Kings had a track record. When they wanted something, they got it.
They were both quiet for a moment before Storm said, “You should probably talk to him, Luna. Ask him about Brandy. Put some boundaries in place. I’m sorry I don’t have more helpful advice, but you can always talk to us about this stuff.”
“Definitely,” Codie added. “We understand better than anyone. Don’t feel like you have to keep this stuff to yourself. Do you want me to talk to him about it?”
Since Codie was roommates with Casper, she had plenty of opportunities to speak with him. Unfortunately, I didn’t think there was anything she could say or do. This was all on me.
“Thanks but I think I need to take care of this myself somehow. I appreciate having you guys listen though. It’s been making me crazy keeping this inside. Don’t get me wrong. I think Casper is hot as hell. That’s not enough though. Not if—”
Codie kicked me under the table, tilting her head slightly. I turned to find Rebel and Stray approaching with Casper in tow. Shit.
I immediately shot to my feet, gathering my lunch garbage. “I should get going. I have class soon. Catch you ladies later.”
Rebel rounded the table to where Storm sat. He plucked her off her seat, sitting back down before placing her on his lap. “Hello, wife.”
The two of them shared an X-rated kiss before Storm pulled away, telling Rebel to keep it in his pants. I took off like a bat out of hell across the cafeteria. After dumping my garbage in the trashcan, I beelined down the hallway toward my next class.
Casper was right behind me.
CHAPTER NINE
CASPER
I followed Luna from the cafeteria. She was moving so fast I half expected her to break into a full out run. I knew it was me that she was trying to escape. Still, I couldn’t let her go.
Grabbing her arm, I pulled her to a stop. She turned to face me, her brown eyes wide. I arched one brow, a question that needed no words stealing over my face.
“I have to get to class,” she insisted, tugging her arm from my grasp.
When she turned to keep going, I stopped her again. This time I didn’t let her pull free.
“Leave me alone, Casper,” Luna bit out between clenched teeth. “I don’t want to talk to you. On second thought, maybe I do. Did you have something to do with Brandy’s accident? Did you do something to her car?”
Not willing to have this discussion with people passing up and down the hall, I pulled her into an empty classroom. Luna waited for me to pull out my phone and type up a response.
I may have.
“Why?” she demanded. “Why would you do that? She was just a jerk at a party. She didn’t deserve that.”
Agree to disagree. Personally, I thought the bitch deserved worse than a few scrapes. From what I’d heard, she wasn’t injured badly.
No, she deserved worse. She got off easy.
Luna stared at me, shocked and horrified. I hated having her look at me like that. Seeing me as the monster I knew that I was. Yet I couldn’t present myself any other way. This was me.
“How can you possibly believe that? You can’t just go around hurting people every time they make a mistake, Casper. That’s not okay.” Luna’s face crumpled. She seemed genuinely distressed.
My chest felt tight. Like it suddenly became hard to breathe. I didn’t want her to only see my Hyde. There was more to me than that. At least, I liked to think so.
