Page 20 of Ruthless Rose

I fork a whole bunch of lettuce into my mouth, chewing slowly as his eyes probe mine.

“No. Seriously?”

Scarlett clears her throat. “It’ll be fine. He doesn’t even know it’s her yet.”

“I can’t believe you agreed to do it.”

“My college career is on the line. I have to get a scholarship, and I don’t have that many options with so little time left before applications are due, so …”

His hands clench where they rest on the table. “But why should you have to deal with someone who makes you uncomfortable?”

Scarlett holds up a finger. “I still want to know why he freaks you out so badly. I still don’t get that.”

“It’s stupid, okay? I just find him intimidating. He’s huge and rough around the edges and full of himself … just like all of the other football-playing jerks.”

“Oh, Daphne … they aren’t all like that.” Max shrugs. “Don’t get me wrong, some definitely are.” He clears his throat, then smiles at me, and I can tell he’s about to attempt adding some comic relief to the conversation. “Personally, I love the alpha male jerks. Sounds fucking fantastic to me. Maybe I should join the spirit squad.”

My eyes roll up to the ceiling. “You would say that.”

“What can I say? I like all the football players.”

Scarlett snorts. “And wrestlers. And baseball players. And basketball players … but wait, we’re getting off track here.” Scarlett’s voice is hushed as she continues. “Micah can actually be really sweet.”

“He’s not anything remotely like sweet to me.” My brows draw together. If she only knew how often Micah has cornered me, maybe she wouldn’t be so quick to defend him. “And he isn’t good at maintaining personal distance or keeping his hands to himself either,” I mutter.

“Sorry, what?” Max’s gaze narrows on me and he sets his fork down with a clatter.

Slapping my hand over my mouth, I look between my two friends. “Did I say that last bit out loud?”

Max growls, “The fuck, Daphne? What are you hiding?”

“He’s just—”

“Just what?” he bites out.

Scarlett’s swiveled in her seat so she’s staring right at me, her back ramrod straight.

“I think he enjoys messing with me. He’s figured out I’m not going to let the tutoring thing go, and his coach is riding his ass about it, so he’s trying his best to intimidate me in any way he can. But I can’t bail because the stupid applications are due soon.” I look down at my hands. At least I think that’s what’s happening.

Max pushes his tray away from him. “That’s fucked up.”

“It’s a classic dick move, is what it is.” Scarlett crosses her arms over her chest. “Wait, did you say he’s not keeping his hands to himself?” Her brows draw sharply together.

“I—”

“I won’t let him fucking mess with you just for fun, Daphne. Are you uncomfortable spending time with him? We can tell someone.” Max works his jaw back and forth as he stares into my eyes. He is getting so worked up he looks like the top of his head is about to pop off.

Scarlett is also fuming. “Or junk-punch him if he misbehaves. He’s a big guy, but that just means he’ll have farther to fall when I let him have it. You should have said something.”

I give a swift jerk of my head. “I can handle him. I’m fine.”

Max’s gaze is off across the cafeteria. He’s eyeballing the football team and everyone else at that table. “Speaking of the big man himself, is it me, or is Alora extra clingy with him today?”

I glance over my shoulder. Sure enough, she’s planted herself on Micah’s thigh and is playing with the hair at the nape of his neck. Yuck. Definitely nothing I need to watch if I intend to hold down my lunch.

---