Corbin, Brock, and Bodhi slowly get up, staring Peter down the whole time, and I watch as his face morphs into a grimace. They walk off, Corbin shoulder-checking Peter, and then they loudly pull out chairs at the table next to us before sitting down, still staring at our table.
Fuckers.
I glare at them, knowing they did it on purpose, but they smile back. They have the upper hand, and I realize they probably always will.
I smile up at Peter and pat the chair that Corbin was sitting in, smirking at him when Peter sits down.
“Now, what exactly do you need help with?”
We pass the time by reviewing the literature that’s been assigned for the past month, going over story structure and finding the deeper meanings in the works.
Peter’s essays have been lacking, so I look over some of his, helping where I can, and before I know it, I realize I’m having fun and laughing with him. But even so, I catch my mind and eyes drifting to Corbin, who is angrily staring at us. Serves him right with how he treated me. He doesn’t deserve my laughter or forgiveness, so I desperately try to pull myself back to the moment with Peter.
“Landry?” he asks, and I glance up from where I was marking a sentence on his paper.
“Hmm?” I ask.
He’s looking at me weird.
I cock my head to the side and raise my eyebrows. “What’s up?”
“Can I ask you something?”
All at once, my heart soars, but my stomach drops. For someone who has only known the friendship of Trixie and the hateship of the kings while I’ve been here, the possibility of making another friend—or something more—leaves me feeling elated. But again, I jump to memories of Corbin—touching me, talking to me, making me come—and I have to shake my head.
Forget that he’s right next to you and focus.
“Sure,” I say, setting the paper down and giving Peter my entire attention.
I take the time to peruse his face. Brown eyes; aristocratic, straight nose; and high cheekbones. He’s got lips on the thinner side but a beautiful smile that would make any girl’s panties melt. He’s a good guy, it seems, none of the bad-boy charisma that I’ve been around lately.
I watch him glance over his shoulder for a moment, noting the guys are still there, staked out beside us like gnats that won’t leave. He leans in closer to me, crooking a finger for me to lean in as well. I oblige, and he smiles.
“Would you want to go to Fall Ball with me, Landry?”
I gasp, and behind his head, I can see Corbin sit up straighter, obviously watching me.
“Me?” I ask.
Peter smiles wider.
I’ve heard talk about the ball, knowing it’s coming up right before fall break in a few weeks, but I didn’t dare think that anyone would ask me. My track record with friends hasn’t been great here. And I’ve been on the outs with Corbin since he left me in the marina parking lot, basically with my skirt down.
“I don’t see another Landry sitting here,” he says jokingly, and I laugh.
Fall Ball. What are the odds?
“Oh. Yes,” I say, my grin wide, and he sits back a little at my answer, “I’d love to go with you.”
I’m a little breathless, almost giddy.
Get ahold of yourself.
“I’m sorry. I’m surprised, is all.”
“Hopefully, a good surprised,” he says, setting his textbook and papers back in his satchel.
“Yes,” I say, packing my bag as well.
Part of me wants to jump up and do a little dance, but I’ll save that for the room. Trixie is going to shit when she hears about this. My heart sinks a little when I realize I haven’t heard Trixie say she’s going. I’m going to have to make sure she finds a date, so we can go together.
“Well, I’ve got to get going,” Peter says, standing and throwing his bag on his shoulder. “I’ll see you in class tomorrow?”
“Not tomorrow,” I say with a smile.
He squints before remembering Senior Skip Day. “Right. Day after?”
“Definitely,” I confirm with a nod, probably blinding him with the brightness of my smile.
He smiles back and turns around to walk off. I stand and turn the other direction, doing a little shimmy when I know he’s not looking anymore.
Fall Ball, here I come!
Corbin
I watch the exchange Landry and Peter have while poring over an English textbook, and I’m ashamed of myself but angry that she’s with him. I don’t like seeing it, but here I am, a masochist, subjecting myself to the spectacle. Brock and Bodhi talk in hushed tones every once in a while, but I don’t pay them any mind. Content to glare at the back of Peter’s head and Landry’s profile.
She knows what she’s doing.
Finally, Peter stands.
Thank fuck. I’m ready for this little study date to end, so I can stop sitting here, blood pressure rising.
Landry looks excited about something, which pisses me off, but finally, she turns to leave, and I watch her ass shake a little as she walks away, my eyes riveted. I turn in time to see Peter stop in front of Brock. He cocks one eyebrow, and Peter, who was so confident before, looks a little nervous.
“What?” is all Brock says while Bodhi leans forward.
I glance back to where Landry went but don’t see her anymore.
Dammit. I want to punch Peter in the face, but I know I don’t have any claim on her.
“Just thought I would help you out a little,” Peter says to Brock, and this time, it’s me leaning in, trying to figure out what’s going on.
“I didn’t ask for your help,” Brock says, still sitting back, a bored look on his face.
“No,” Peter says, swallowing before opening his stupid mouth to talk again.
“But I’m slightly intrigued. What are you helping me with?”
“Landry. I know you three don’t like her.” His eyes shift around to all of us. “I’m just stringing her along a little bit with the dance,” Peter says, shrugging to look like it’s no big deal.
The little fuck is trying to get in close with us, making Brock’s enemy his enemy, and now, I’m seething.
I stand to my feet and close in on him. “What did you say?” I ask, getting in his face.
Brock stands, placing one hand on my chest, and then looks between me and Peter.
“I’ll allow it,” he says after staring at me for a second.
And I know I messed up. I showed my card, and I regret it.
“Pleasure doing business with you,” Peter says with a grin before walking away.
Brock fists my shirt. After a few hard looks pass between us, he lets go, and I smooth my front down.
Fuck. This won’t be good.
16
Landry
“Get up, get up,” Trixie says, bouncing on my mattress next to me and barely containing the glee in her voice.
Over the past month, I’ve spent the majority of my time with her. Like me, she’s been sort of a social outcast over the stupid kings. She still won’t tell me what it’s over, but I respect her privacy, and in return, she respects me not wanting to talk about what happened with Corbin.