“Raine.” The low voice stopped me in my tracks, and I turned to see Carter staring at me. “What are you doing here?” He was still breathing heavily, amped up from his fight, his hair wet from the water he’d tipped all over it. He’d never looked sexier, and I suddenly found it difficult to get any air into my lungs.
“Carter.” That was all I could say, before he was right in front of me, his hands sliding into my hair and tilting my head upwards to meet his eyes. We stood, frozen in time, in this dark corner of the park.
“Raine,” he repeated, lowering his head.
“Having fun with Anastasia?” As soon as the words escaped me, I clamped my mouth shut. There was no way he hadn’t noticed the thinly disguised jealousy in my voice.
Drawing back, he studied me intently for a moment, the silence between us growing uncomfortable, before he gave a heavy sigh. “Ana’s my ex for a reason, Raine. Whatever you think you saw, you’re wrong.” He closed his eyes briefly, his lashes sweeping down, before he focused on me again. “You shouldn’t be here. Are you following me?”
“I didn’t even know you’d be here,” I said truthfully. “When I saw you fight, though…” I trailed off, realising I’d admitted too much, and he smiled as he slid his hands to my back, pulling me closer.
“You like watching me fight?” I buried my face in his chest, unable to answer, and he laughed softly. “Don’t be shy, now.” His voice lowered as he ran his hands down my back. “Tell me. Did it make you wet for me?”
My breath hitched at his words, and when he unexpectedly slid his hand down between my legs, I gasped, pushing my hips into him.
“Fucking jeans. I want to feel you.” He rubbed the palm of his hand against me, and I whimpered at the friction. “What are you doing to me,” he said, almost to himself. Then he glanced around him, seeming to remember where we were.
That was enough to snap me out of it.
Pushing him away, I staggered backwards until I was against the wall. I noticed his eyes go to the side of me.
“Little trickster,” he murmured. “I should’ve known.” My eyes followed his gaze to the painted mask, black with blue highlights. A permanent reminder of our night together. At least, until someone else graffitied over it, I guess.
A sigh escaped me, and I faltered for a moment, before pulling myself together. “We need to talk.” I injected all the firmness into my voice as I could muster, and he took a step backwards, scrubbing his hand over his face.
“Talk.” He threw up his hands. “Go ahead.”
I steeled myself, then spoke, the words tumbling out of my mouth in a rush. “Why did you get me kicked out of drama club? I know you stole the money and framed me. If you could admit it and make it right, we could move past it and have a fresh start.”
The change in him was instantaneous, like a switch being flicked. His jaw dropped and he stared at me, his eyes hardening, back to the Carter that I knew and disliked. “What the fuck, Raine?” In one movement he was in front of me, pinning me against the wall. “How fucking dare you accuse me of shit like that?” Anger vibrated through his whole body, and his hands came down either side of me. His fingers flexed next to my head like he wanted to grip my throat, but he was holding himself back.
“It’s true, though. Isn’t it?” My voice came out as a cracked whisper. “Please, Carter. Just put the money back, apologise, and we can move
on. I…I like you.”
“You like me?” His voice was low and dangerous. “You’re accusing me of fucking stealing, and then you tell me you like me? Like you expect that anything could happen between us?”
My lip trembled, but I stayed strong, meeting his eyes defiantly. “I know you want me. You can lie to yourself all you want.”
“I. Don’t. Want. You.” He snarled the words at me. “This?” His hips ground against me. “Nothing but a natural reaction. Fighting makes me horny. It’s nothing to do with you. Why would I pick you, when I could have any girl I want?”
“That’s a lie.”
He stepped away from me, his jaw clenched. “Who the fuck do you think you are, Raine Laurent?”
I gathered the tiny piece of courage inside me. “I’m the best thing you’ll never have.” Then I moved around him and walked away, tears blurring my vision.
Behind me, I could’ve sworn I heard the urgent caw of a raven, but I didn’t look back.
I was done.
18
Lunchtime in the cafeteria, sitting with the football team, I turned Raine’s words over and over in my mind. I’d spent the night unable to sleep, constantly flipping between rage and confusion at her accusation. I needed to get to the bottom of what was going on.
As if the universe was taunting me, Chris spoke up. “Who’s that?” He leered over my shoulder, and my stomach churned. Somehow, I knew who he was looking at.
“That’s Raine, you dick.” Xavier cuffed him around the head.