His brows raise. “Damn Bambi, those are some harsh words. Where’d you learn those?”
It’s too much. No matter how calm I try to stay, he weasels his way under my skin and nips at every nerve I have. It’s been all of five minutes, and he already has me ready to explode.
“Tess, don’t be late for school. I’ll meet y
ou there.”
With that, I turn around and walk away, in an attempt to leave the anger and rage behind me. Knox is an asshole. The worst of the worst. He knows how to get a rise out of me, and he feeds on that. I’ve always tried to make it a point to be kind to others, but with him, it’s like I just want to punch his gorgeous face.
I’m halfway back to HGP when a hand wraps around my wrist. Judging by the way my skin burns at the contact, I don’t even have to look to know who it is. What I don’t expect, however, is to see the vulnerable look in Knox’s eyes as I turn around.
“What do you want?”
He sighs and releases me. “I’m sorry, okay? I thought we were playing around.”
I shake my head. “You weren’t. You’ve been treating me like a pariah since the second we met, telling me to go away and that I shouldn’t be anywhere near you or your friends.”
“Well, you shouldn’t.” As soon as the words leave his mouth, I go to walk away again but he stops me. “I’m not saying it as a bad thing. You have your life together. You deserve more than to get wrapped up in our shit.”
“Isn’t that for me to decide?”
He shrugs. “If I thought you’d make the right choice, sure. But I see that look in your eyes, the way fire mixes with fear, and I don’t think you’d choose correctly.”
“Again, fuck you.”
“See? Like that. I’m already poisoning your sunny disposition.” He reaches forward and rubs his knuckle down my cheek. “Don’t go all hard on me now. Soft looks beautiful on you.”
Just like that, he turns around and leaves me frozen where I’m standing. I swear, the mood swings on that one is going to give me whiplash.
I’M SITTING IN MY room with Savannah, listening to her tell me about how she caught Jace and Paige hooking up. It doesn’t surprise me. Paige is always looking for a way to feel more in charge, and Jace could have practically anyone he wants. What catches me off guard more is when she mentions that Carter hasn’t messed around with anyone since New Year’s.
“I don’t know, Lane. I think he may actually be serious about this thing for you.”
I shake my head. “There’s no way. That boy is the definition of a player. The only thing keeping his interest on me right now is the fact that I’m not in his bed.”
She smiles. “And if it’s not?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, what if it’s not just the chase he’s after? What if you’re the one he actually wants to throw out his playboy ways for?”
It’s not a question I’ve let myself entertain very often. Carter can be a sweetheart, when he wants to be, but I’ve also heard the rumors and the things that come out of his mouth. I’d be a fool to allow myself to think anything could become of him and me.
Just as I’m about to change the subject, Tessa barges in and does it for me—only not to one I’d like to discuss.
“What’s going on between you and Knox?”
My eyes widen as Savannah chokes on air. “Knox Vaughn?”
“Do you know any others?” Tessa dismisses her and then turns back to me. “Seriously. What’s up? I’ve never seen him chase after anyone like that before.”
“It’s nothing. He just wanted to apologize for being a douche.”
“He apologized?” The two of them gawk in unison.
“Yes?”
Tessa seems too shocked to say anything else, but Savannah moves to the end of my bed. “Delaney, trust me when I say this, you can’t get involved with him. He’s bad news. Him and his brigade of tyrants.”