HaileyandIhadgrabbed our trays and sat down at our usual spot. Xander joining soon after. This had started to grow into a normal thing at lunch.
I thought it was him being friendly. Hailey wasn’t convinced.
Frowning, I look down, seeing a green bean in my lap. Hailey bobbing her head in Xander’s direction. The girl couldn’t be any more subtle if she tried. I sigh. At least he wasn’t paying attention, peeling at his fruit.
Her gaze grows more intense and so does my agitation. So, what if he sat right next to me today instead of in his usual spot across. It was a seat, not a stall.
“Have you picked out your dress yet?” she asks randomly. More amendment now that the gala was only a few months away. She’d been relentless in convincing me to go.
I wasn’t a fan of either topic but this one seemed less adversarial, so it would have to do.
“No,” I answer curtly. She knew I hadn’t.
“You shouldn’t wait too much longer.” Avoiding my glare, she shifts her attention to Xander. “What about you? Tux?”
Hailey was up to something. She was being too coy in her derogation. Too impassive in her stance.
He nods, popping a piece of food in his mouth. “I got fitted last week.”
“Any tie colors you were leaning toward?” Sounding disinterested when I knew she was the opposite. “…You know Rory looks great in purple.”
I splutter, choking on my drink. Coughing as I try to clear my esophagus.
Xander was staring at me. I was staring at Hailey. And Hailey was looking down, cutting into her piece of chicken unconcerned.
My eyes flare.
Hailey was dead. I hoped she’d enjoyed her life thus far. Checked everything off her bucket list because I was about to murder her with a fork.
As if this lunch couldn’t get any more awkward. A pair of legs wrapped in dress pants swings their limb over the seat taking the empty spot next to Hailey.
“My car after school,” Finn says bluntly.
I let out an annoyed breath. His timing is impeccable. I could feel Xander’s curious gaze on the side of my face, but I ignore it.
I’m sure it does seem strange since the pair of us rarely interact on school grounds—or ever. Finn now taking up residence at our table like he belongs here.
Shifting, my half brother sets his sights on my friend. Finished with me.
A roguish, self-assured smile dances across his face. The change in attitude almost immediate. “Know who I am?”
Did everyone have an agenda today?
Hailey’s lips pursed tightly together. “Everyone knows who you are. Finn Casper.” Her voice is brittle, flat.
“You should know not everyone is lucky enough to have access to my number, then. It’s a privilege.”
Finn’s confidence dwindles when Hailey’s response is to snort in the most insulting way possible. Everyone knew Finn was a manwhore.
“I didn’t get an answer,” he says, trying to recover the conversation.
Hailey doesn’t buy it.
“I didn’t have the time,” she says, not missing a beat.
Finn’s frown deepens to a scowl. I’m not sure the guy has ever been rejected and having a front-row seat is the highlight of my day.
Not one to be the butt of a joke, he jerks his head at Xander. “Why are your cheeks pink? Are you blushing?” Eyes tightening, with clout.