He glances my way, so quick I almost miss it. I, an unassuming culprit, bury myself in a crowd. Finn’s eyes glimmer in repulsion while I savor euphoria.
Payback long overdue.
Cole’s hand shoots out. Finn makes another attempt to bolt but the extra strength holds him back. His grip tightens, arms flexing under the white polo shirt.
His veins, thick and prominent, snaking their way up his arms and under the rolled-up sleeves. They are the same way as earlier, the required blazer nowhere to be found.
I am not surprised. His overconfidence doesn’t allow the nonsense. Cole doesn’t follow orders. He gives them.
The crowd finds it disappointing in their eagerness for more as they shove Finn in the car next to his. Their need for drama trivial, plummeting in merits.
My enjoyment following suit. The performance lackluster.
Eli climbs in, driving away in the same car that was outside the Casper’s the other night.
Cole gaining the attention of these willing, tactless fools with a single baited look. His expression naturally berating. My position forgotten, their attention elsewhere.
“Show’s over,” he says firmly.
The command simple, warning clear.Leave, go home.Like faithful peasants, they disperse, following the orders of their ruler. I scoff, unmoving.
A girl with copper-colored hair runs over. Cole’s ice-filled eyes are tracking the crowd, unfazed by her approach.
Her arms wind themselves around his neck. She kisses his cheek and climbs into his car when a few misguided droplets plummet from the sky.
A loud crack of thunder and purple lightning comes out of nowhere. My eyes shoot up, following the color spreading like roots in the fast-darkening sky.
I blink, shoving past the drops, opening my mouth and catching them on my tongue. Laughter bubbling out of nowhere, I close my eyes.
My skin tingles in awareness, ruining the moment.
Eyes flicking to his, Cole’s expression remains calm. Giving me no insight into where his mind is. The tips of his hair damp, sticking to his forehead.
My blazer keeping me somewhat dry, his light shirt unprotected. The dampness plasters like a second skin to his body. The rain coming down harder.
He doesn’t notice or care. I wasn’t sure which.
Cole doesn’t move, doesn’t blink. Returning my gaze with more bite and vigor. A violent shiver runs through me at the intensity.
My lungs expand and then he’s gone, behind the wheel of his car.
Alone like a true reject, I thrive.
ten
Cole
Eli’sjointspop,craninghis neck in annoyance. Grabbing his phone, he turns up the volume. The speaker’s system wired through it.
Stabbing the screen, he heaves an annoyed sound, eyeing a pacing Finn in the corner.
I ignore them both, coming here to work out, not play mediator.
The music is at maximum, the decibels in my ears scream. The not-so-subtle hint Eli dropping, having the opposite effect. Finn’s voice growing over the phone.
The metal chain of the punching bag clinks, swinging in place. My fist snapping, hitting several jabs in rapid succession. Smooth and with ease.
My feet shift, letting out a grunt. Hands making perfect contact. The barely there—gauze doing little to protect my already busted open knuckles. The once white material now tinged pink.