We reach my locker right as Zayden is closing his. When he turns and catches sight of us, his nostrils flare. I have half a mind to ask him what the hell his problem is, but given his reputation, I figure it’s better to kill him with kindness instead.
“Good morning.” I smile at him as I slide in front of my locker.
“Why the fuck are you so chipper this morning?” Oliver sneers at me, his gaze going to where Pierce is standing behind me. “And what the fuck are you looking at?”
“Just waiting for my friend.” Pierce holds his hands up in front of himself as if to say I don’t want any trouble.
“I didn’t know you had any friends.” His gaze cuts back to me. “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised you’d sink your claws into this one. Like mother like daughter, right?”
“What are you talking about?” I try to keep my voice even.
“You know exactly what I’m talking about.” An evil grin tugs at the corners of his mouth.
“Actually, I don’t. And you know what, I don’t really care either. Whatever issues you’ve got with your dad and my mom, take it up with him. As for me, stay out of my way, and I’ll stay out of yours.”
“Or maybe I’ll just remove you all together.”
“I’d like to see you try,” I challenge, refusing to back down. I’ve never shied away from confrontation, and I’m not about to start now. I’ve been trying to play nice for my mom’s sake, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to let this jackass walk all over me for sport.
“You have no idea the shit I can rain down on you.”
“Save your threats for someone who’s actually scared of you.” I give him a smile that reads fuck you before starting to work on the combination for my locker. I can feel the anger radiating off of him, but rather than frighten me, it makes me smile. I’m glad I’ve gotten under his skin. Serves him right.
I pull on the lock after entering the combination, but it doesn’t open. Figuring I’ve entered it wrong; I spin the dial and start again. When it doesn’t work a second time, I start to feel like maybe something is up.
“Trouble with your lock?” Oliver smiles, emptying a few Red Hot candies into his hand before popping them into his mouth.
“What did you do?” I glare at him.
“Me?” He chews slowly and then swallows. “I didn’t do anything.”
“Bullshit. What did you do?” I repeat, trying the lock one more time.
Nothing.
My gaze jumps from Oliver to Zayden. During this entire altercation he hasn’t spoken a word. Our eyes meet and a little bit of my resolve disintegrates. God, why does he have to be so good looking? Why does he have to be friends with my sadistic stepbrother? And why does he have to look at me like he can’t decide if he wants to murder me and throw me in a dumpster, or push me up against his locker and shut me up with his mouth? My vote would go to the latter.
“Did you do this?” I ask, pointing at my locker angrily.
“You can just go to the office during your free period and have someone cut the lock off and give you a new one,” Pierce says from behind me. “It’s probably broken or something,” he offers, but I think we both know that’s not the case.
“You know what, you’re right.” I adjust my bag on my shoulder. “Nothing that can’t be taken care of.” I glare between Oliver and Zayden before plastering on the biggest, fakest smile I can muster. “Have an awesome day,” I say to the both of them, squaring my shoulders as I turn and quickly walk away.
“That was crazy. I think I just saw smoke come out of Oliver’s ears.” Pierce follows me toward first period. “I don’t think anyone has ever talked to him the way you just did.”
“Serves him right. Jerk.”
“Aren’t you a little worried though?” We slow to a stop outside of my classroom.
“Why would I be worried?”
“You’re new here so I don’t expect you to understand the gravity of the situation, but Oliver tends to take things to the extreme, and I’ve never heard him make a threat that he didn’t deliver on. The guy is a real piece of work. You might want to think about sleeping with one eye open—that’s all I’m saying.”
“Oliver is harmless.”
“That’s debatable. But I know for sure Zayden isn’t.” He narrows his eyes at me. “If Oliver wants to retaliate, he’ll use his friend to do it. I’m just saying, keep your head up and your eyes open.”
“Thanks for the advice.” I blow out a breath, wondering if my inability to keep my mouth shut is finally going to come back to bite me.