Max gives a swift jerk with his head. “Nope, not crazy. So, Beau and Micah, uh, from what I hear, they share.”
“They share? Like, share?” My eyes go wide and I swallow. I’m no prude, but is he implying that they—
Daphne almost spits out her water, and Max cracks up. “No, not threesomes—at least I don’t think so. I mean they just don’t seem to care which girl they are with.” He shrugs. “Not so long as their dicks stay wet.”
Daphne’s hand covers her mouth, looking at Max with horrified eyes and slapping at his arm before finally looking at me. “Sorry. He has no filter, but it’s part of what I love about him.” She rests her head against his shoulder.
“Noted.” I wink at them.
“But anyway, yeah, they pretty much have their choice of pussy.”
This time, I actually do spit my water. I hurriedly wipe my face with a napkin. “Thanks for that, Max.”
“Anytime, Cupcake. Anytime. Welcome to Rosehaven.”
Chapter 6
In the middle of my final class of the day—Physics—I realize there is no way I’m going to make it the whole way through. I was too stressed to eat my lunch, but hunger pains had me guzzling my water bottle last period and there’s no way I can hold it until class is over. I hate that I’m about to call attention to myself, especially since Xander is in this class with me, but I don’t see how I have a choice.
Speaking of the star wide receiver, just when I thought I was in the clear, he’d sauntered in late, dashing my hopes that I was free from him for another class. My only saving grace is that he’d had to sit all the way across the room from me. I thanked my lucky stars because I could not have handled having him sit anywhere near me in yet another class.
I raise my hand.
“Yes, um, Scarlett, is it?”
From across the room, there’s a cough. “Red.”
I glance in that direction and roll my eyes before returning my attention to the teacher. “May I use the restroom, please?”
The teacher, Mr. Roudebush, pushes his glasses up on his nose. “Oh, uh, of course. But hurry back. We’re going to be selecting lab partners and whoever you get paired with is who you’ll be with the rest of the year.”
“Yes sir. Thank you. I’ll be quick.”
I slip down the hall to the girls’ bathroom, and finding it empty, I choose a stall, do my business, then come out to wash my hands. After a quick glance in the mirror, I tuck a few stray strands of hair behind my ears. The girl in the uniform staring back hardly seems like me. I’m beginning to question my sanity in doing this to myself. River Rock probably would have been the easier choice. But in the end, I wanted to be where Mom went, so I’ll deal with whatever I have to, I suppose—even if it comes in the form of a wickedly hot football player with a bad attitude. I sigh and give my reflection a little shrug. I’d better get back to class; I don’t want to get paired with the class slacker or worse, be the odd woman out and have to work alone for labs all year.
With my head down, I push through the door and ram directly into a solid object, causing all the air to whoosh out of my lungs. The warm body I’ve collided with is hard and most definitely male.
Two big hands grasp my upper arms, steadying me. The scent of an expensive cologne wafts from his body, carrying notes of citrus and spice. It’s delicious. And I’m still standing way too close for comfort. I gasp and stutter out, “S-sorry.”
When I look up into dark eyes, I realize this could not have gone more wrong. Cruel lips curl into a crueler smile, taunting me.
Xander.
He sets me a half step away from him, squeezing briefly before he lets go of my arms. My throat goes dry and my lips part, unsure of what to say. Do I even have to say anything? What’s he doing outside the girls’ bathroom, anyway?
My brain seems to have disconnected upon impact, and it’s taking some time to reset. Without realizing I’m doing it, my eyes roam over him. His tie is hanging loosened around his neck, his shirt partially unbuttoned. The sleeves are rolled up, showing off well-muscled forearms. As much as I haven’t appreciated his whole entitled I rule the school vibe today, I can’t deny that I see what everyone else does. He’s handsome as the devil and, if I’m not mistaken, possibly just as brutal.
“Are you lost, Red?” The sound of his deep voice makes a sharp zing travel down my spine straight to my core.
Annoyed, I huff, “It’s Scarlett.”
“Right.” He smirks as he looks me over in my uniform, a slow once-over, head to toe. I can feel his gaze like a physical current of energy crackling over my skin as it touches every single inch of my body.
Oh, God. What is he looking at? “Am I wearing it wrong or something?”
“Nope. You’re just right.” He reaches out, dipping his strong hand inside my blazer to grip my hip. His fingers flex, pressing into my skin through the material of my skirt. He makes a low growl somewhere in the back of his throat.
I blink up at him, completely taken aback. Shaken. “You know, I thought you were nice when I met you. But today—” My voice trembles, and it pisses me off.
“You thought wrong.”
“I don’t understand.”
His full lips curve into a haunting smile. “You should drop out now. Go back to where you came from.”
My mind reels. “What? I have a right to be here just as much as you do.” Drop out? What is wrong with him? He’s fucked in the head.
He chuckles, the sound scraping up his throat like he’s swallowed nails. “You can’t seriously think that, Red.”
My back straightens. “Stop calling me that.” I’m tempted to tell the asshole that my mom attended here, so in a way, I do belong, but I won’t give him the satisfaction of knowing anything else about me. And if I talk about her, I could very well break down, and I won’t let him see me cry.
Not again.
His hand drops its hold on me, and he walks away, back to class. You know, the class I’ve got to return to, just like he does.
Unfortunately, I’m stuck following right behind him. I put my hand gingerly to my hip where he’d held onto me, his heat penetrating right through my skirt. What the ever-loving fuck was that all about?
Mr. Roudebush looks up when I come back into the room. “Oh, good, you’re back Scarlett. You’ll be partnered with Xander Grey for labs this year.”
“What? No—I mean—” I pause, aware I have no choice. “Okay.” My palms dampen as I glance over to where Xander is casually sprawled back in his seat watching my internal struggle as it plays out on my face.
He tosses me a teasing grin and a wink. He’s laughing at me. He knows I’m freaking out on the inside. I don’t know whether to slap him or combust right where I’m standing.
“Please rearrange your seating when you come in next class period so you share a table with your partner.” Mr. Roudebush’s demand hits me square in the chest. Share a table with Xander?
Fuck. My. Life.
Chapter 7
I take a long enough time gathering my things together at the end of Physics that everyone else has cleared the room. Good, because I swear I’m finished with human interaction today. I’ve hit my limit. Done.