Page 15 of Until Us

Whatever it is, other people must notice. I’m worried, but then I feel a sense of relief when she smiles, her eyes lighting with excitement.

“Get the finest guy in Spencer Academy to drool all over you every time you are in the same room.”

I snicker. “I’m sorry. What?”

“Kalum, silly.” She waves her hand. “I know you are living in his house. Which must be crazy, by the way.” Her eyes glitter as she talks animatedly. “He is always staring at you. He has never looked at a girl like that. Ever. Period.”

“You’re making things up. Trust me, he doesn’t like me. He is just watching me because he wants to make sure I don’t embarrass him or do something his parents won’t approve of.”

She shakes her head. “He is not the only one watching you. Cason has a thing for you too, and Jimmy…” She turns her head to look at him. He gives her a wink, and she sticks her finger up, giving him the bird.

I instantly like her. She is funny in a sarcastic way but always seems happy. It seems like nothing can bother this girl.

She turns, and her gaze lands back on mine. “Stay away from Jimmy. He fucks anything that walks, basically. He’s harmless, but in his mind, if he thinks he has a chance, he will try.”

“Sounds like you know from experience.”

She sighs. “Yup. Turned him down flat. Not interested. He came on to me because he knew I had a thing for Brian.”

Now, I’m curious. “Who’s Brian?”

“The one with dirty-blond hair sitting next to Wendy. They’re a thing, if that’s what you want to call it. Rumor has it that Sarah is secretly screwing Jimmy even though she’s practically Kalum’s girl. In Sarah’s mind, they are together because Kalum is always with her, and he never denies anything she says about their relationship. He brushes it off because she spreads her legs or is on her knees whenever he wants. Diana and Cason used to be together freshman year, but Cason ended it with her because she wanted more, and he wasn’t into her like that. If you ever get invited to a party, you will see them banging in one of the empty rooms after his third drink, but you didn’t hear that from me.”

“How interesting. But I’m not interested.” I tell her that, but a pang of jealousy creeps inside me at the mention of Kalum and Sarah.

I have the image of Kalum naked imprinted in my mind and imagining her touching him and pleasuring him stirs something inside me that makes me want to go over to their table, pull her hair, and tell her he is mine. Then I remember how much of an asshole he is.

“So what is your story?” she asks.

I hesitate but remember that Kalum most likely knows all the details and will open his mouth eventually telling people my business.

I swallow, and the sting creeps, but I let out a slow breath. “My parents passed away last month in a car accident. I have no other family. A neighbor knew the St. Claires needed to hiresomeone to help their head housekeeper. Rather than be sent to foster care when I will be turning eighteen in about three months, Kalum’s parents offered me the spot with room and board, a two-hundred-dollar allowance, and a full year of paid tuition to attend here.”

Her eyes soften. “That sucks. I mean, I’m glad you’re here, but not under those circumstances. What school did you attend before?”

“Spencer Public High.”

“Ooh. That’s our rival school when it comes to football. This year, the guys are determined to dominate again.” Her eyes light up, and she asks, “Do you have a boyfriend?”

I sigh because Marcus still hasn’t called me. Gina either. I guess Kalum was right. They both forgot about me or that I existed.

“Had a boyfriend. He says we are still together, but I doubt it.”

“Who is this so-called boyfriend?” She puts her fingers in silent quotation marks.

“Marcus. Starting quarterback for Spencer Public High.”

Her eyes almost bug out. “You’re shitting me?” I shake my head. “This is going to be fun.”

“Why is that?”

She snickers. “Let’s just say Kalum and your ex have history on the field. Kalum sacks him every game, and they always get in each other’s faces. You need to be at that game. It’s next weekend. It will give you a chance to see him. I can pick you up, and we could go together? It would be so much fun.”

There’s that word again—fun.

We exchange phone numbers, and Exie gets me up to speed with the rest of the school gossip. She tells me not to feel bad about my situation living with the St. Claire family and to look atthe bright side—I sleep next door to one of the hottest guys in all of Spencer Academy.

She isn’t wrong. The expanse of his hard-muscled chest and biceps makes my mouth water. My panties almost melted right off when he told me he found me beautiful until his next words crushed the feeling like a beautiful flower that sprouted, and a boot stomped on it. It questioned my relationship with Marcus and made it seem like an attraction straight out of fourth grade.

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