Page 55 of The Wallflower

She greets me with a smile and sets down two plastic to-go cups. I’ve known her for a couple of months, but we never really talked before until the other day when she mentioned how much she was struggling with the last test. I told her I do tutoring, and she asked if I had any time to help her. Now here we are.

“Hi! Sorry if I’m late. I stopped by Beans to get some hot chocolate and grabbed you one too. If you don’t like hot chocolate, that’s cool too.” She gestures to the cups. It’s very thoughtful of her, and I happily grab one, a smile tugging at my lips.

“Thank you. That’s very kind of you.”

“No, what’s kind is you taking the time out of your day to help me learn this shit. I swear I wasn’t there the day we picked classes.”

A bubble of laughter slips out of me, and I feel ten times better now. Gracie takes a seat beside me, and I open the textbook to the parts we’re working on in class. She explains her difficulties, then I put together some sample problems for her to work on.

I munch on my Pop-Tarts and feel a tingle down my spine while she works.

Expecting Drew, I snap my head around to look for him, but nothing. Instead, I lock eyes with one of his equally strange but intense friends, Sebastian. He's sitting across the library, staring at me openly. I bite my Pop-Tarts a little too deliberately, which earns me a slightly unhinged smile from my gawker.

Shit. I don't want to attract more attention from these assholes.

I nibble on the Pop-Tarts some more and watch him watch me. Part of me is tempted to walk over to him and ask him what he wants, but again, I’m reminded:don't poke the fucking bear. Not when he’s staring you down in the woods.

Feeling unsettled but still better than when I arrived, I finish up with Gracie, gather my books, and turn my back so I don't have to see him anymore. I’m conflicted and unsure of how I feel about Drew, so I don’t know if going on this date with Stewart is really a good idea.

Did Drew send his friend to watch me in his place, or is this another mind game? I don’t even want to touch the disappointment I feel over another day of not seeing him. I won’t lie. I half expected him to be here today, and now that he’s not, I’m not sure if I should be relieved or sad. One thing I do know is that I need to stand my ground. If Drew wants anything from me, he’ll have to work for it.

CHAPTER 19

DREW

The fucking fall carnival.That’s all anyone is talking about, and I’m already over it. Even my father texted to make sure I'm playing my part for the family name, for The Mill. I shove an elbow into Hoover's chest pads and use his prone form to push off into a stand.

He lets out a groan. Everyone around me groans, wanting practice to be over, but I'm not done yet. "Let's go, you assholes. We aren't done with practice yet. Get up. One more play."

There's more groaning as everyone resettles into the line, and I call the play.

We snap, and it only takes a minute to get the ball down the line. The defense does nothing to get near me.

Maybe they can sense I have no mercy in me today.

I want to run, shove, punch, kick, fight, all of it. Do anything I can to get this negative energy out of me, but as I promised, I call the end of practice after that play and head toward the locker rooms.Wouldn't want to miss the goddamn carnival.

In the locker room, everyone can sense my foul mood. I ignore them all and throw back an almost full bottle of water as I strip off my pads. They hit the floor with a clatter.

Stripping off my sweaty clothes takes seconds, and I march into the showers to spin under a hot showerhead. I quickly wash myself and rinse. When I exit in a towel a few minutes later, I stalk back to my locker and take a seat on the bench. It takes moments for Lee to join me, mud still streaked across his cheek.

He grabs me by the shoulders and gives me a shake. "Fuck man, why do you look like you shut your dick in your locker?"

I scowl and shoulder him off me. "Fuck off, Lee. I'm not in the mood."

He only smiles, accustomed to when I get into one of my brooding sessions. "You should be excited. The carnival is tonight. All the single riders will need a buddy to ride the Ferris wheel. It’s the perfect opportunity to snag pussy.”

I don't answer. Instead, I stand and strip off my towel to get dressed.

Lee continues like I’ve joined him for the conversation. “You know Sebastian saw that girl at the library the other day. The one you keep talking to.”

“So? What do I care?”

I can feel his eyes on me, weighing my words. “What do you care, indeed? You know your father contacted all three of us and instructed us to keep you away from Bel, or Bel away from you, by any means necessary. In fact, he’s offered a reward.”

I freeze. He wouldn’t? My mind instantly flashes to Sebastian every time he’s gotten close to her recently.Hefucking wouldn’t, either. Would he?

He continues to chatter about the carnival, and I don't even bother listening. It's nothing more than musing about how much pussy or cock he's going to get by the time the night is over.

---