“You don’t have to explain,” I insisted. I tugged at the hem of my plaid skirt. Another borrowed item from Kenna.
“We’re not abandoning you. But we have to keep our distance,” he explained, looking uncomfortable doing so. “At least, we’re supposed to make it look that way.” He flipped his blinker on as he switched lanes. “Brock needs to keep up appearances.”
I didn’t bother to suppress the eye roll. “For your information, I could care less what Brock fucking Taylor does.”
His lips mustered up into a smile. “Keep telling yourself that, Josie. Keep telling yourself that.”
I would.
And did the entire way I walked up to the school with Grayson by my side. The looks were expected. I had gotten the shit beat out of me, enough that I’d missed nearly a week of school. Of course people were curious. Not all the bruises had faded, but they were easier to conceal with makeup. This morning I looked almost normal, most of the evident traces of the fight hidden, unless you got up close and personal.
Grayson stiffened as we reached the pathway that led to the front entrance, and I lifted my head to see what tangled his boxers. I assumed it would be Carter, enemy number one, and prepared myself.
Nope.
A pair of glacial aqua eyes snagged my gaze, and I swore the world froze. For a long moment, I could only see Brock.
But the bastard wasn’t alone.
Ava had her arms looped around his neck as she pressed her slim body into his. He lounged against the side of the building, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that he did so deliberately—as if he waited for me.
Ava’s lips curled like those of a possessive feline who had trapped the mouse. So damn proud of herself. She got rid of me and won the prize.
I wanted to slam her face into the concrete and paint the ground with her blood.
She had another think coming if she thought there wouldn’t be payback. I’d never thought of myself as vindictive. I could probably let the beatdown go, but seeing her clinging tomyguy...
Fuck no.
I doubted he would appreciate it if I walked up and slapped Ava, although Grayson and I might find it amusing. Brock would be annoyed his plan had been foiled. It was all about the deception for him—seeking revenge.
Grayson bent down and whispered in my ear, “He is going to ruin her. Just remember that.”
Brock’s lips curved arrogantly, but what no one noticed was the firming of his jaw. He fought to keep the sneer in place. This guy… he wasn’t my Brock.
Grayson guided me to the entrance under the sharp archway of the Academy, and as he went to pull the door open for me, a group of girls giggled. Grayson rolled his eyes. “Ignore them.”
Micah appeared on the other side of me just as I walked inside, looping an arm around my neck and pulling me against him for a sort of half hug. “Finally, you’re back. This place is so fucking boring without you.” His light blue eyes twinkled like he was up to no good, which he usually was.
“Hey to you too,” I greeted, leaning into him.
“You’ve been here for like two seconds and already got the school buzzing.” His platinum hair was messily styled so it stood up on one side. Two dimples kissed either side of his cheeks.
“I live to entertain,” I grumbled, eyeing the halls that stretched out on either side of us. Chatter echoed off the stone walls as everyone prepared for class and caught up on their weekend. It died down just slightly as the three of us passed by, but that was fairly normal when the Elite were around. “Aren’t you supposed to ignore me or something?
Micah kept his arm around me as I headed to my locker, but I didn’t mind. There was something nice and comforting about being snuggled by him.
Grayson scowled as we turned the corner. “If your hands go any lower, bro, I’m going to have to kick your ass,” he warned Micah. I hadn’t even noticed Micah’s wandering hand on the small of my back. He had slipped a finger into the belt loop on my plaid skirt.
Micah’s grin widened. “I’d like to see you try.”
“Besides, Brock just walked in, and he looks like he wants to kill you,” Grayson added, glancing to the side.
The smile on Micah’s lips remained in place. “Good. He should have to suffer too, don’t you think, Josie Jo?”
I grinned up at Micah, avoiding Brock. “I knew you were my favorite.” I grabbed my notebook out of my locker and shoved it inside my bag alongside my laptop before facing the guys.
Grayson frowned.