That his hands on me are all I think about. That his hateful words turn me on. Even the scent of him. Everything about Hunter Graham is creating this pool of wetness between my legs, and I hate it. I hate him. How can hatred be such a damn turn-on?
I need to get out of here. Now.
I miss physics completely. There may have been a chance I took a detour and got to school too late to attend. Avoidance is my friend right now, and it feels easier this way. I make it through English and gym. Mr. Henderson made us run three miles, then made me run one more because I was slacking. I swear, gym teachers have hard-ons for making people sweat. The problem is, now I’m going to be late for my next period, and I told Melissa I would meet up with her before class to help her with a problem on our assignment. Rushing through the locker room, I grab my things and throw off my soggy gym shirt and shorts. I reach into my locker—”
“Cat.”
I whip to my left and spot him as I grab for my shirt. “What are you doing in here?”
“I wanted to see you.” Discomfort settles in my stomach. I use my shirt as a shield.
“You said you aren’t allowed in here during school hours,” I say as Mr. Gibson stalks toward me.
“I’m not, but you make it difficult to see you. Where were you today?”
His question sends another wave of anxiety rolling through me. “I—I woke up late. I wasn’t feeling well. Listen, I have to change—”
“And detention?”
There’s aggressiveness in his tone. He takes another step, and I fall back into the lockers. His arm shoots out and grabs at my waist. His gaze drops to where his hand is. “What is this? Who did this to you?”
“What?” I panic, my eyes shooting down to where he’s touching me. There is a row of bruises on both of my hips—exactly where Hunter held me. “I…uh, I don’t know. I bruise easily—”
“Are you—is there someone else—?”
“What? No. Listen, whatever this is, it’s making me very uncomfortable. You need to leave me alone, or I’m going to—”
His grip tightens, adding pressure to my already wounded flesh. “That’s not how this works, Cat.”
He’s starting to scare me. “Mr. Gibson, please—”
“It’s Samuel. Call me Samuel.”
“I’m good with Mr. Gibson. Please let me go. I have to get to—”
“Cat? You still in here?”
I’ve never been so happy to hear my name in my life. “Melissa, yep! Getting dressed still. Come on in.” I stare at Mr. Gibson, fury growing in his steely gaze. It takes him a second, but he releases me and storms off down the corridor into the gym. It’s then I realize I’ve been holding my breath. I sigh in relief. Melissa turns the corner, and I’m still staring at where Mr. Gibson disappeared to, clutching my shirt.
“What are you doing? We’re going to be late.”
“I…I…”
“Hey, you okay?” I bite down on my lower lip. Don’t cry. Don’t cry. How do I say no? That my teacher is inappropriately pursuing me? “Okay, you’re starting to freak me out. What’s wrong?” Shit. I can’t fight the trembling of my lower lip. The disgust of where his hands were on me.
“I just need to go home. I’m not feeling well.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah. Sorry about the homework. Just copy mine, ’kay?” I hide my shaking hands by shoving them in my backpack and pulling out my assignment. She’s hesitant to take it, still searching my eyes for answers. “Seriously. I’m fine. Nothing some sleep won’t cure.”
It takes a few beats longer, but she finally lets it go and accepts my assignment. I walk out with her, looking over my shoulder every few seconds. When we make it into the hall, I break free and rush toward my locker to grab my coat. Without stopping at the school nurse, I run through the side exit.
The creaking of my bedroom door jolts me awake. I sit up, pushing my back against the headboard, cuddling my knees to my chest. The defensive position reminds me of when I was younger. Shortly after Dad left, and our house turned into a revolving door of gentleman callers, a guy accidentally came into my room instead of my mom’s. They had been drinking, and he had difficulty telling the difference until my mom stopped him and kicked him out.
I stay locked in place until the light flickers on, and I see Hunter standing in my doorway. “Where the hell you been, Stray? Got the whole school in your back pocket now? Letting you skip class whenever you want? Must be an excellent student.”
My nerves are shot, the stress of Mr. Gibson’s actions putting me in a state of numbness. I don’t take the bait and slide back into my bed, pulling my sheets over my head. “Go away, Hunter.”
He does the opposite, his boots hitting the old wooden floor as he enters my room. “Not a chance. I wanna hear what makes you so special that you don’t have to show up to Mr. Gibson’s class now. Blow jobs for homework? Sex for attendance? What does our naughty teacher get if he takes your ass?”
I shiver under my pile of blankets at the thought of him touching me again. The way he looked at me today…it wasn’t right. Not like before. His unwanted flirtation has turned into an obsession. I saw it in his eyes. I need Hunter to leave. The memory he caused to resurface has my body trembling all over again.
“Hello? Do you not speak now? The all-mighty princess just gets her way?” Suddenly, my sheets are torn off me, and I recoil. “Jesus, relax. I wasn’t going to try anything.”
“Go away. Please.” I hate that the emotions show in my voice. Weakness, worry, regret. So much so, there’s no way Hunter doesn’t pick up on it.
“What’s wrong with you? Where’s my feisty stepsister? Don’t you have some nasty words for me? I can think up a few for you—”
I throw my body upright and yell, “Get the fuck out! What don’t you understand about that?” I swallow down a sob. “Get out. Just leave me the fuck alone.” He stands there long enough to see the tears on my cheeks. I fall back onto my bed and curl into myself, waiting for another round of taunting. To my surprise, my bedroom door slams shut.
I hiccup a few strangled breaths before the sobs curdle in my throat. I cry for what seems like eons until my body gives in and I slump on my mattress. I reach for my phone and dial Dad’s number. Voicemail. “Dad, please. I need to come home. It’s not safe for me here anymore.”
Chapter 12
Hunter
Something happened
There was no fire in her. And I’ve never seen her without her spark. I’ve also never seen her cry. What the fuck happened? Did that motherfucker do something to her? Hurt her? Why do I even care? He probably dumped her and she’s playing the victim.
I head back to my room and slam my door closed. If she’s all upset she got dumped, it serves her right. Maybe she should find a guy her own age and stop fucking for favors. God, I can’t stand the way he looks at her during class. The way he watches her. Studies her as if no one is fucking paying attention. Creepy ass dude. I should have put a stop to it the second I saw it. Who knows who else he’s lured into his office in return for good grades and perfect attendance? The thought pisses me off even more. I debate going back into her room and telling her that. Telling her to wake the fuck up. That she’s just another student he’s scammed into sleeping with him. Sick fuck.