What I still don’t understand is why?
“Class is over, Miss Weston. You’re free to go.” Byron’s voice cuts through my thoughts.
I turn away from the window to see the lecture hall empty of students except Dixon. Shit. I pack my bag and swing it over my shoulder. They’re on me before I hit the bottom step.
“What has you all in a daze, huh?” Dixon bumps into me, almost tripping me. “You seemed in deep thought all of class.”
“Don’t you think, at some point you should worry about yourself, and a little bit less about me?” I attempt to walk around him. A hand wraps around my bicep, tightly tugging on me. Dixon grins. “It’s the quiet ones that we need to really worry about, isn’t it, Dixon?” I yank my arm away.
“You have no idea what I’m capable of. I can destroy your entire world with the click of a button.”
“You’re going to have to do better than that, Dixon, because you’ve already destroyed my entire world.” I sneer at him. “Wouldn’t surprise me if you had something to do with my sister’s murder.”
My head snaps to the side. An instant sting shifts through my cheek. Marek walks into the room, the door closing behind him to announce his entrance. His eyes shift to my searing pink cheek.
“What’s going on here?” Marek asks.
“About to teach this bitch a lesson.” Dixon pushes into me, anger fueling him. His breaths are erratic and uneven. He may be trying to keep his anger under control, but he’s failing miserably.
“You’re the only one who put his hands on me, and I’m supposed to believe you’re some kind of saint because my sister liked to be passed around your little circle.” I point over Marek’s shoulder as he nudges between us. “Go fuck yourself, Dixon. If you ever put your hands on me again, I can promise you, you’ll find my sister and I have more in common than you think.” Marek grabs me by the waist and yanks me to the door, me fighting him the entire way. “I will fucking bury you.”
“Say hey to Delaney for us, will you?” Dixon calls out, every word sounding exactly like what it is. A threat.
Out in the hallway, I place my hands on top of my head, pacing back and forth.
“Damn, princess. Looks like there’s a fighter inside of you after all.”
“Is this where you make some dumbass joke about being that fighter?” I puff out a lungful of air and drop my arms to my sides. Everything inside of me says to go find Dixon and prove to him I’m not someone he messes with. “Because I’m really not in the mood for your bullshit right now, Marek.”
For the first time, I notice he’s not wearing his usual uniform. He’s in black gym shorts and a white cut-off to show off his muscular arms. My eyes roam over his body, from toe to head, and he knows it by the grin he flashes me.
“I’m impressed, is all.” He holds up his hands in defense of the claws I’m sure he’s half expecting. “I thought the only fight you had in you was with your body, Palmer.” He licks his lips, blatantly checking me out like the dog he is.
“He’s lucky you stepped in,” I huff.
“I’m sure if you wanted to get to him, even I couldn’t stop you.” He shrugs, resting against a bank of lockers. “Do you believe what you said in there?”
I check my watch, and since I have free period next, I’ll entertain this little conversation. Not for his benefit, but for my own.
“What do you think?” I goad him, sitting on top of the glass display case Marek had bent me over. That memory feels like a lifetime ago. So much has happened since.
“Your curiosity will get you hurt, Palmer,” he says.
There’s no way Marek knows my motives. He’s completely fishing for more.
“I’m already hurt.” I jump down and slam my shoulder into his when he gets in my way. “Don’t you get that?”
“I’ll see you tonight,” Marek calls out behind me.
“No, you won’t.”
“Kickoff is at seven. I expect to see you in the stands, Palmer.” He does that horribly effective thing guys do when they check you out from head to toe.
Who does this guy think he is? After everything, he still has the audacity to demand such things from me. I’m not on the Glass House Boys’ roster anymore, if I ever was.
Stupidly, I turn and chase after him. Once we’re shoulder to shoulder, I glance his way and find a grin plastered on his face.
“Why do you think you’re in any position to be demanding things of me?” I cross my arms over my chest. “After everything you’ve done, the games you’ve played?”
“You still upset I slipped between your thighs while Byron watched? Or is it the fact that, for a single second, you thought you could change me? Be the one that turns this stone heart to mush?” He shrugs, quickening his pace until he is at a slow jog. Yards in front of me, he turns and winks. “I’m not in any position, but that doesn’t mean I’m not going to try.”
“Marek!” I shout, running to catch him, bringing us chest-to-chest. “You have glass hearts. All four of you. It’s just a matter of time before someone comes along and exposes the cracks.”
“And let me guess, you’re going to be that girl.” He circles a finger around my loose, thick strands. “You really want to dance with the devil, baby?”
“You can’t intimidate me into silence and complacency.” I smack his hand, and he shakes the sting out between us. “Don’t think for a second I’m like the rest of these girls, plucking at the crumbs you leave for them on your boots. Also, Marek, don’t ever make a girl feel bad for enjoying sex. I don’t regret it, and it won’t be used against me.”
I swivel on my heels and head to the library, needing to spend this hour prepping for my upcoming exams. Halfway down the sidewalk, I chance it and glance back at Marek’s receding back. He checks over his shoulder, locking his eyes on mine. We watch each other, both of our steps slowing, taking in each other. Too far to see, I imagine him shaking his head with a pleased smile on his face.
I grab two coffees at the café cart and head inside the library, clutching the cups in my hands.
“I thought you’d never make it,” Delaney calls out when I pause to savor the warmth.
“It’s officially fall, and I’m freezing my ass off in this uniform.” I throw my bag down and pluck at the skirt. “You’d think we’d have a winter option.”
“And not allow the boys to objectify us all winter? They’d never dare,” Delaney jokes, taking the offered cup of iced coffee.
I sit down and stare off into space, too consumed with the conversation between Marek and me.
“Earth to Palmer.” Her hand waves in front of my face. “Everything all good?”
“Had a little run-in with the devils of Glass Heart just now, after first period, and then Marek again right after.” I shift my gaze to her, hoping for some words of wisdom or anything that will help me feel less alone. “I don’t know what to do anymore. He basically said I’ll be at the game tonight or else.”
“Your parents still not talking to you?” She leans back and takes a long sip.