Page 22 of Devil's Bargain

Amused, I roll my eyes. “I took his bag by mistake. I’m not about to get eaten alive.”

Sometimes you say shit you shouldn’t, but by the time you’ve said it, it’s too late.

Josh’s teasing smile widens. “As if you wouldn’t let him eat you!” He laughs and removes his arm from around my shoulder. “You’ll stop traffic if your cheeks get any redder.”

I place my hands over my burning skin. “I never said I didn’t want to be eaten alive. I said it won’t happen.”

“Right, right,” he chuckles, ruffling my hair.

Nina is laughing. It doesn’t matter what I say now. I’ve shot myself in the foot and given myself away with my tomato red cheeks.

“You’re as bad as each other!” I say and flip them both off as I enter the classroom.

* * *

Approaching Rick at school shouldn’t be this terrifying but seeing him with his friends makes me want to tuck tail and run in the opposite direction.

How can I return his bag without being weird and awkward?‘Hi, Rick. I’m sorry I took your bag by mistake.’I can already imagine the looks I’ll get off his female cheerleader friends.

He’s facing away from me, his shoulders moving every time he chuckles.

His number stands out in dark blue on the back of his white letterman jacket, and his jeans hug his butt just right. My mouth waters at the sight.

I tap his shoulder.

He’s with a group of three guys and two girls. Jamie, the star receiver with dirty blonde hair, falls silent as Rick looks over his shoulder.

One of the girls eyes me as she pops her gum.

I hold Rick’s bag up. “I took it by mistake. Sorry! In my defense, it looks a lot like mine.” I half turn so he can see my generic black bag.

Why is he so tall? And big? I’m not short, but next to him, I feel it.

He looks at my bag and smiles. “Hi.”

My arm aches from holding his up in the air. I focus solely on him and ignore his friends, who stare at me as if I’m an exhibit at a zoo. Especially the girls who eye my tiny leather shorts with distaste.

I’m aware I look different to them with their perfect high ponytails and hair extensions. Next to the cheerleaders, my purple Dr. Martens—a local thrift store find—and ripped fishnets stand out like a sore thumb. The two tears in my stockings weren’t intentional but they look it.

“Thanks!” He takes the bag, so I turn to leave but he hurries after me. “Where did you go yesterday?”

The hallways are crowded with students. Rick is a popular face here and to be seen with me…

It draws attention.

My cheeks flame. “I went for a drive.”

“Well, thanks for bringing my bag back.”

“It’s no problem.” A ball of crumpled up paper flies over my head.

Rick high fives a guy on the football team as he walks past. “You ready for the game?”

“Born ready!”

My heart is doing weird shit I’m not used to. Rick is still walking next to me as if it doesn’t bother him to be seen with me.

“You dyed your hair.”

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