Page 34 of Tangled Rose

Chapter 19

By the time study hall lets out, I’m exhausted. French sucked big doggie balls. Just awful. There are only ten people in that class, including me. Beau, Griffin, Max, and Mandy were all there. Fuck. My. Life. There’s nothing like being forced into unnatural conversations in a foreign language with the guy you were just kissing but ran away from, two of his friends, and the girl who treated his cock like a popsicle the other night and is now threatening your very existence at this school.

I want nothing more than to go home and climb into bed. At least my teachers don't think I'm that far behind in my classes and should be able to catch up quickly.

I jump about a mile when someone taps on my shoulder as I’m packing my bag. Heart pounding, I look up and behind me to see Max and Daphne standing there. “Oh, hey.” I guess the relief that it’s them and not someone else is clear on my face because Max gives me a funny smile and Daphne tilts her head to the side.

“Expecting someone else? Beau and Micah each texted us to make sure we were going to give you a ride back home.”

I quickly shake my head. “I know we don’t know each other that well yet, but yeah, I’m glad to see you.” I give them a miserable smile. “Sorry, but get me the fuck out of here, please.” I push back my chair and stand up, hiking my bag up on my shoulder.

“Damn. That bad, huh? We wondered where you’d taken off to during lunch… and then French was...” Max blows air out through pursed lips in a steady stream.

I scrunch my nose. “It was kind of the worst.”

Daphne’s shoulders sag. “I’m sorry, that sucks so hard.”

“Come on, tiger. Let’s roll.”

We exit the building, making our way through the parking lot while dodging other students and cars pulling out. When we get to Max’s SUV—another ridiculously nice vehicle, of course—Daphne gestures that I should get in the front.

“I’m not riding far. Just to my mom and dad’s bookstore.”

I nod pulling open the front passenger side and giving myself a boost in. “Cool. I’d love to see where it is.”

She taps me on the shoulder, and I turn to look at her. “Micah said he might be reading you wrong, so I apologize if this is at all awkward but… do you want me to ask my parents if they’re looking to take on any part-time help? I think they are finally ready to bring a few people on board.”

I hesitate. It’s no secret that I’m a Thorn. I just don’t want anyone to know I have next to nothing. “That would be cool, yeah. But I don’t think I can commit until I find out my schedule for gymnastics next week.”

“No worries at all. Can’t hurt to ask them so we have the details. Depending on what you need, they might be able to give you hours when you request them. You know, if you only need a few hours here and there to earn some extra cash.”

When I glance back, she’s biting her lip, like maybe she shouldn’t have said so much. “Yeah. That would be helpful. It’s hard to keep up with all this.” I pat the console of Max’s SUV.

“Girl, average people can’t.” She rolls her eyes at Max when he gives us a playful little smirk. Maybe she’s not so bad after all.

I’m still hella curious about whether Max is interested in Daphne. The vibe the other evening floating around Max, Daph, Micah, and Griffin was odd, to say the least. It can’t hurt to ask. I’m the new girl. I’m supposed to ask dumb questions, right? “So, what’s the deal with you two?” I flick my finger back and forth between them.

“What?” Daphne sputters, her brow furrowing as her gaze connects with mine. “Me and Max? That came out of nowhere.”

I look between the two of them, noting their bemused expressions. “I’ve been trying to pick up on the relationships between everyone from conversation, but I feel like I’m missing something. You guys seem close, so I wondered if you two have a thing going, or had one, or something like that?” I bite my lip, worried I’m rambling. “Sorry, I’m fucking nosy sometimes. It’s okay, you don’t have to answer if it’s a totally awkward question. I’m just trying to figure things out.”

I focus on Daphne, who I could swear is doing her best not to bust out laughing. “I do know you’ve been dating Micah. He’s made that crystal clear.”

“Yes. I’m very much with Micah. But, Max and I—” She presses her lips together, eyes flicking to Max.

He bursts out laughing. “I’m gay. The clue you’re missing is that I like dick.”

Daphne’s snort from the back seat is loud. She half-heartedly smacks at Max’s shoulder from the back seat. “He’s also very blunt, so if you ever want to know what’s up with anything or if you need an opinion, don’t worry—Max will lay it on you, no problem at all. He’s incorrigible.”

“Big word.” My brows go up. I’m always impressed when people use words I don’t know. I can tell what she means, though. He’s beyond help.

Max grins at me. “Oh, PS: Daph’s a nerd. Languages, science, math, doesn’t matter. She’s super fucking smart. And my best friend, in case you hadn’t figured it out. For the record, we don’t bump uglies and never have.”

“Shut up, Max.”

“What? I’m spelling it out for her so she doesn’t have to ask.”

We pull off to the side of the road in front of what I assume is Daphne’s parents’ bookstore. She grumbles, “Damn, I wish I wasn’t going to miss the rest of this conversation.” She points at Max, eyes narrowing on him. “Behave. And text me later with all the good stuff.”

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