I lift my chin up and flip him the finger.
“That was badass.” Zach raises an eyebrow.
Adrenaline bubbles in my veins like a drug dose. “I want to punch some more people.”
He laughs, offering me his hand. “How about a dance instead?”
Whatever it Takes by Imagine Dragons starts playing, and I jump up taking his hand.
I wrap my arms around his neck and we laugh and chuckle, goofing around on the dance floor.
Zach whirls me around and brings me back to his arms again.
“Does everyone always stare at you?” he asks as we adopt a slower pace.
“Only when I’m the school’s laughing stock.” I try to hide the bitterness in my tone.
“Well, they’re missing out.” His breath tickles my ear and I can’t help the giggle that escapes me.
“You know… “ he starts. “I always had a crush on you, Astrid Clifford.”
“Y-you did?”
“Uh-huh. I only backed down because Danny would’ve smashed my face in if I hurt his best friend.”
Okay. Wow. I never knew that. Maybe Levi was right.
“Is this your new conquest, slut?” Chloe hisses and barges her shoulder into mine.
I’m about to punch her like I did Jerry, but the music stops abruptly.
Everyone stops dancing and chatter breaks out. Someone shouts to put the music back on.
Then, as if someone pulled off a switch, the murmurs cease and the crowd parts to make way for Levi and his four horsemen.
He’s wearing the team’s uniform and stands in the middle as if he owns the room and everyone in it.
I look away, refusing to be sucked into his orbit.
Daniel leaves Xander and Ronan’s side to stand by me. His harsh glare falls on his captain. The same captain he idolised for a long time.
Most loyal best friend ever.
Chloe smiles brightly at Levi like she’s seeing a Christmas tree. She pushes her dancing partner away as if he never existed.
“King, I —”
“If you’re going to call anyone a slut, start with yourself.” Levi looks down at her with dark, calm eyes. “You opened your legs for half the team and swallowed for the other half.”
Oooh’s and Aaah’s break in the audience. Everyone gathers around us like we’re the entertainment of the night.
Chloe’s face goes red. Her mouth opens and closes like a fish, but she says nothing.
Levi’s gaze narrows on Nicole who comes to stand on Chloe’s side. “If you have any slut remarks to say, you might want to start with how you beg for it on your knees.”
“That’s not true.” Nicole glares at him then at Dan as if he said the words.
“Do you want footage to prove your extracurricular activities?” Levi cocks his head to the side.