Page 55 of Disorder (Elite of Elmwood 2)

Very true.

“What happened with Carter?” Mads asked, changing the course of the conversation, thank God. Not that talking about Carter was any less stomach-turning.

“He took the bait,” I said with a touch of bitterness. This was what we agreed on, but now that it was happening, I was having second thoughts.This is the only way to keep your friends safe.That’s what I kept telling myself. But it wasn’t just for Mads, Kenna, and Ainsley that I was willing to risk my safety. I had to do this for myself as well.

Fynn shook his head, picking at the pepperoni on his pizza. “So predictable.”

Brock slid our joined hands in between my legs, the warmth of his touch seeping into my thigh. I told myself not to shiver under his touch. “His eagerness will be his downfall,” he said, his voice remaining even whereas I was afraid to speak.

“Let’s hope. He lacks the discipline to see this through,” Fynn said, pointing out Carter’s fatal flaw.

“Then we better make it convincing.” I should have noticed the sudden change in Brock’s tone, the husky texture that came into it. I might have been prepared when his fingers slipped into my hair and he fastened his lips to mine.

A voice told me I shouldn’t be kissing him during school, not like this with his tongue tangled with mine. I didn’t abhor public affection. It was the principle behind Brock’s kiss. It would be one thing if he were my boyfriend.

That was not the case.

This kiss claimed me as not just a standby girl, but also Brock’s current favorite, a position Ava prided herself on holding.

Not anymore, bitch.

Of course, the entire thing was a sham.

I definitely was not a standby girl.

As for Brock’s favorite… that might have had a bead of truth to it. As far as I knew, he wasn’t sleeping with anyone else but me.

I told myself not to let it go to my head.

A difficult task when my toes were curling under the table. I melted into him, sinking deeper into the kiss.

Someone cleared his throat.

“Enough,” Grayson grumbled. “I can’t sit here and watch the two of you make out.”

Micah reclined in his chair, looking rather relaxed, a crooked grin on his lips. “I disagree. I’m rather enjoying myself. It’s kind of like watching porn at school.”

My cheeks flamed.

Brock’s gaze cut across the table at Grayson. “This is part of the plan. We need Carter to believe Josie is—”

Grayson dropped a hand on the table with startling force. “My ass. Let’s not pretend you aren’t enjoying every second your lips are attached to hers. This isn’t a game. When are you going to admit that something is going on between you?”

Mads’s jaw dropped. She was thoroughly enjoying this, despite my discomfort. Micah too. He had his chair leaned back, balancing on two legs.

Brock scowled at my brother. “Josie and I have an understanding.”

“Oh, do you?” Grayson snapped, his expression calling Brock a liar.

I saw forward, putting a small amount of space between Brock and me. Not that it mattered. The lazy circles he drew on my inner thigh were driving me crazy.Focus, Josie.“I’m confused. Is this part of the plan?” Brock and Grayson bickering with each other was not a good thing.

“Who fucking knows,” Fynn groused, staring at Brock and Grayson with disapproval.

I never did get an answer. The bell rang.

* * *

On my way to ninth period, I got a text from Ainsley. She must have finally found her phone.

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