I slapped him across the face then gripped my stinging hand. “I hate you.”
“I know.” He sighed.
I wiped a stray tear with my hand and got the hell out of the pantry, and I pretended to ignore his softly spoken words, “I hate me too,” all the way back to the “normal” movie night.
And when Tank saw me walk in with my eyes wide, mouth swollen, he looked hungry.
For me, not the pizza.
I slowly walked over to him, sat down and put my feet in his lap, and winked. “This okay?”
“Yeah.” He nodded slowly, his green eyes flashing with lust. “More than okay.”
I smiled; it was fake.
And when Junior finally made it back to the movie room, he sat directly behind us while I flirted with the guy he had thrown in my direction.
Sacrifices, sacrifices.
At least Tank was good looking.
And at least he wouldn’t break my heart.
Nobody but Junior Nicolasi held that power.
And by the guilty look in his eyes—he knew it.
Chapter Sixteen
Junior
All it took was one decision, one night, and we were back to what we considered normal. Back to classes, back to Serena hating me while we were in public, back to her at least talking to me in the privacy of her own home.
Then again, did it really count when all she did was ask me to pass the milk this morning after her mom and dad went out for breakfast, leaving us alone again?
Maybe this was why the bosses forbade us to date each other because when shit needed to get done, jealousy got in the way.
He slept over last night after the movie.
I heard him.
I heard them.
It wasn’t yelling or shouting or even moaning—no, they were doing something so much worse—she’d gotten him to talk, to open up. They were bonding, and I hated every single laugh he got from her just like I hated every single time I imagined it was quiet because he was holding her or telling her that he’d fix everything that I’d broken so perfectly with my bare hands.
He didn’t stay for breakfast, which was good since I would have slit his throat. I had to keep reminding myself that it had been my idea; he was attracted to her, and she could get information out of him.
Claire and Ash took on the job of Annie, though it was more of Claire just wanting normal. Serena got close to Tank.
And Breaker and I pretended to just be the best friends on the sides, the easy-going non-threatening people that could provide a good time.
Shit, I hated this life sometimes.
Getting people drunk and having a sleepover in order to gain intel was anything but normal.
“You were up late,” Ash said once we all got out of our cars and met at our regular spot on campus.
Serena just batted her eyes. “A girl never kisses and tells.”
I scowled, even though it was my idea, I didn’t have to like it as I clenched my fists at my sides to keep from doing something dangerous like ramming them both into the nearest tree or person.
“Something you wanna say, Junior?” She grinned in my direction while I was greedily searching her neck for any hint of hickey so I could have a reason to end him and end this whole thing. Not that the bosses would listen to me anyway.
Shiiiiit.
“Nope.” I smiled. “How was Tank? I heard some talking. You teaching him how to spell the big words now, or are you still sounding words out?”
Breaker choked on his laugh, and Claire punched him in the arm. “Be nice. He’s smart, he just doesn’t talk much, plus he’s cute!”
“A man of few words, some may say more action.” Serena shrugged. “Anyway, I didn’t get any intel on them per se, but he did say that the college was really nice on the inside and offered to show me around.”
I stared in disbelief. Did he even realize what he had all to himself? Why the hell was he even thinking about a public tour when he could just take her to the closest room and worship her like she deserved? Instead, I said, “He wants to give you a tour of the college? Could he be any more lame?”
“It’s not really a bad idea,” Izzy said, looking up from her computer, a rarity for Izzy, talking and looking away from her work. “I mean, we have a blueprint, but it could be good for Serena to look around, especially while other students are on campus.”
“Agreed,” Ash said. “Why don’t you ask him if we can all come and then we can all go out to dinner afterward or something.”
“Good idea.” I jumped on the idea. I didn’t want them alone. The plan had been for her to get in, get out, get it done, not to actually start dating the guy. “Text him and see if we can meet later this afternoon.”