Page 46 of Devious Bastard

He sits back, a long sigh falling from his lip. “True.” His Adam’s Apple bobs as he swallows. “The problem is the blowjob under my desk.”

“That’s always the beginning.” I shake my head, trying to prevent the image of Lexi on her knees beneath my desk from forming inside my head.Too late.

“I mean, the girl didn’t miss a beat. Meanwhile, I’m dying because Dr. Campbell comes into my office to review grades over grades. Sophia was barely under my desk before the asshat opened the door. I tried to tell him I had a meeting to go to and asked if we could do it later, but the arrogant fucker said, ‘This will only take a couple of minutes.’ Then he settled in the chair across from me. Meanwhile, Sophia grabs my dick from beneath my button-down shirt and picks up right where she left off.”

“That takes skill. She’s girlfriend material,” I joke.

“Hahaha! Just like Lexi, huh?”

I bristled, not saying anything. I’veneverhad a girlfriend. I’m not relationship material. As much as I wish I could be for Lexi, I know I’m fucked in the head. I’ll end up obliterating her light with my darkness. “You know better.”

Trent regards me for several long beats before he leans forward. “I think it’s inevitable, Evan. I’ve never seen you lose your shit over a woman like this before.”

I rest my chin on my fist, contemplating his words. “I’d only hurt her.”

Trent raises his brows. “You don’t think you’re gonna hurt her when you end things with her? Which I don’t think you’re capable of doing.” He holds up a hand when I open my mouth. “I mean, I’m sure you can end it. But staying away from her… You’re incapable of it.”

I mull over his words, knowing he’s right. I never counted on any of this to happen.

“Speaking of Lexi….”

Trent groans. “What do you need me to do?”

21

NIGHTMARES IN THE DAYLIGHT

Alexis

I’m standing in the middle of campus, my feet frozen on the sidewalk, as I stare into the bright green eyes of Shane Reynolds, my arch-nemesis from high school. The boy I once thought I was in love with.

No, I’m hallucinating. It can’t be him.

I was heading to my 6:00 p.m. class when Shane stepped in front of me, stopping me in my tracks. The menacing smile on his face and the unruly, dirty blond hair are familiar, echoes of the past. But it was his voice that made me realize my worst nightmare has come to life.

“Hello, Lexi. We meet again.” He sneers down at me, several inches taller than I am and a bulkiness to his frame that suggests he spends more time hitting the weights than he did in high school.

My insides quiver from terror, my heartbeat thrashing in my ears. The humiliation of what he did to me creeps over me, paralyzing me. .

Shaking my head, I choke the words out over the lump of fear inside my throat. “It can’t be you.”

His grin widens, looking positively eerie in the daylight. “Oh, I can assure you. It’s me.” He moves closer, his hand caressing the skin of my bare arm. I jerk away, repulsed by his touch. “It’s time we finish what we started two years ago, Lexi.” His cold eyes bore into mine. “See you soon.”

Shane strolls off, a cockiness in his step as he moves across campus like he belongs here while I stand there, watching him go, my brain unable to process what I should do next.

Tears prickle my eyes. Everything has been conspiring against me being at Groveton since I set foot on this campus.

Before I break down or have a panic attack, I flee, heading inside the closest building and searching for the bathroom. Once I find it, I hurry to a stall, lock myself inside, and let the tears flow.

Why is this happening? Why has Shane Reynolds returned to torment me?

I sob until there’s no more tears left to cry, my back against the stall door. Grabbing some toilet paper, I wipe the tears I’ve shed.

I should text Evan.

Images of him flipping out over Bennett spring to mind. If I tell him Shane is here at Groveton, he’ll want to know the story. I’ll have to confess what happened and Evan will lose his shit. Probably kill Shane and go to jail.

Slumping to the floor, I lean my head back against the door.I can’t tell him. It’s selfish, but I need him.

---