“Hell no,” he responds almost immediately, glaring at Neo. “Quit putting shit in her head.”
But it is in my head, and suddenly, I feel the need to talk it out with both him and Crew. What are we doing? Where are these relationships going?
“I’m just saying, man. It hardly seems fair that you have to share but she doesn't.”
It is unfair, isn’t it?
Jagger maneuvers us through the group gathered around the table and grabs me another fruity drink and a beer for himself while I hang back with Neo. Normally I’d have a lot to say, but right now, my thoughts are taking over. I’ve never cared what anyone else thought of me, but I do care about Jagger and Crew. Do they feel like they’re both being played by me? Because that’s not what this is at all. I genuinely care about each of them, more than I can ever put into words, unless it’s three. I love them. I really do. The thought of losing either of them is something I can’t fathom. But how long can we go on like this? In the end, will all three of us lose?
“You’re thinking about it, aren't you?” Neo says, his words like nails on a chalkboard.
I scowl, eyes on Jagger, so I don’t lose him in the madness. “Yeah, thanks to you.”
“Come on, Scar. You can’t really think you’ll be the last pussy my boys tap for the rest of their lives. Whatever you three have going on, it’s temporary. A few months and we’ll be headed to BCU, where you’ll all eventually lose interest in this little fling you’ve got going on.”
His words, which usually only graze the surface, cut deep. Someone starts chanting, “Keg stand. Keg stand. Keg stand.” And the whole crowd joins in.
My nerves are at an all-time high and my emotions are getting the best of me so I decide to try and numb the pain I’m feeling. Shoving Neo out of my way, I slip through the bodies circling the keg and I raise my hand. “I’ll do one.”
Neo balls the back of my dress in his fist and pulls me toward him, my back crashing into his chest. “The fuck you will.”
I lunge forward, slipping out of his grip. At this point, the entire crowd is watching us, waiting to see if I’ll disobey Neo and do what I want. They’re all in for a surprise, because damn straight I am.
“Let's do this,” I tell Victor, who’s holding the keg nozzle.
He looks at Neo, seeking approval, so I snatch it away from him and shove it at another guy. “Do it.”
Both hands grip the sides of the keg and when my legs go up, a sinister grin spreads across my face. Take that, Neo fucking Saint.
The nozzle slips between my lips and beer immediately begins streaming from it. I swallow down fast. Swallow after swallow, trying to last as long as I can. The cold liquid ices over my esophagus to the point it feels numb. I’ve guzzled down at least two beers at this point, so I jerk my head away. The nozzle keeps spraying before the guy holding it realizes I’m no longer drinking. When it stops, my leg handlers set me down.
There’s hoots and hollers. Guys all chanting on my behalf. So that’s what being the center of attention feels like. I could dig this.
Wiping the back of my hand across my mouth, I smirk at Neo while walking toward him.
“The fuck I am.” I mock his words with a swagger to my steps.
“Yeah. Well done, Scar. You just put your ass on display for the entire student body.”
Fuck. Eyes wide, my cheeks heat up instantly. I knew I felt a cold breeze on my ass. I completely forgot I was wearing a dress. I tug my dress down, gripping both sides tightly. “Oh my god. Did everyone see?”
“Everyone who was watching. Next time you wanna be defiant…don’t.” He stammers the word don’t, as if he’s angry with me. The thing is, I’m not sure if it’s because of what I did, or because of what everyone else saw.
Chapter
Four
CREW
“What do you think is taking them so long?” Riley asks, her eyes dancing around the room nervously.
I’ve been wondering the same thing. A glance at my Apple Watch shows it’s been fifteen minutes since Jagger and Scar left for drinks. Crunching the plastic cup, I say, “No idea. We should probably go see.”
“Actually,” Riley says, “I think I might leave. I just don't feel safe here.”
I quirk a brow, wondering if she truly believes she’d be safe on her own. Because she’s not. No one is. “And you think you’d be safer alone, at the dorms?”
“He’s here, Crew.” She hugs her arms tightly to her chest, fingers grazing the goosebumps on her arms. “I think he knows. I can feel him watching me.”
I swing an arm around her shoulders, surprising myself because I’m not kind to many people. But this is Scar’s closest friend and she’s worked her ass off as a Guardian. She deserves some respect and appreciation. Jesus Christ. Who the hell am I?
Regardless of my momentary identity crisis, I lead her through the crowd in search of Jagger and Scar.
“I doubt he’s even here,” I tell her, voice raised, so she can hear me. “If he is who we think he is, he’s probably in his lair doing his dirty work.”
Or, tending to Maddie, who he likely has locked up somewhere. The question is, where? She could be here on BCA property, for all we know. She could be anywhere. There’s also a good chance this guy isn’t working alone. One person can’t possibly do everything he’s done over the last few weeks.
“I think I wanna go home,” Riley spits out. “Like, home home.”
I stop walking and she does the same. My arm drops from around her shoulders. “Seriously?” Her response is a subtle nod. “You wanna just throw in the towel and give up? Let this guy win?”
“He won’t win. I’ve got no doubt you all will catch him and give him what he deserves. I just… I’m not cut out for this. I’m no Guardian. I’m weak, and I’m really fucking scared.”
“You’re still in training. I’m sure all The Guardians are scared at first. It’ll get easier. ”
“I hope you’re right.”
“Almost always am.”
“Almost.” Riley cracks a smile. “Ya know, I never liked you guys. Still can’t stand Neo. But, you and Jagger are good for Scar. I can see how happy she is now. It’s like you’ve breathed life back into her.”
“She’s done the same for me. Can’t imagine doing any of this without her.”
I spot Neo coming toward us with no hurry in his steps. With an open palm, he shoves a guy out of his path, then another, weaving through the crowd like he owns the damn place.
“What a prick,” Riley clips, referring to Neo.
With a red plastic cup in one hand, he takes a sip. “Spicy,” he says with a click of his tongue.
“Whatcha drinking?”
“Straight scotch, but I wasn’t talking about the contents in my cup. I was referring to your girl's ass that she just bared for all to see. Might wanna get her under control.”
“She what?” The words fly out of my mouth before I can even comprehend what he actually said. I shake my head in disbelief. “No. Scar wouldn’t do that.”