Daphne
First thing Monday morning, I pull into the student parking lot. There are very few cars here at this hour. It’s peaceful and quiet, but I’m not fooled. I’m kind of terrified to find out what lies waiting for me within those walls. Worrying the corner of my lip between my teeth, I shut off the car. Time to psych yourself up and get in there.
Sometimes on the mornings I work in the library, I come in early. It’s a convenient excuse today. I like some time to myself without having to wonder what people are thinking about me. Scarlett sent me a couple of the images she’d seen posted on Insta over the weekend of me and Griffin looking hot and heavy. The girl in the photos doesn’t even seem like me. The whole thing is so embarrassing.
All last evening, I’d been glued to my phone, scrolling through the photos and subsequent comments. I hadn’t realized people were taking photos of me kissing Griffin, but that’s not even the problem. I’m utterly mortified that people at this school either had no clue who I was or hadn’t considered it could possibly be me—because Daphne Davis would never do anything like that.
I pause with my hand clenching the car door handle. Take a deep breath. Let it out. Please let them have gotten all of their questions and curiosity out yesterday online.Please, please, please …
Swinging the door open, I step from my Civic, grab my bag, and slam the door shut. As I turn, I run smack into a solid body. With an impact-forced exhale, I lose my footing, stumbling backward against my car.
Before I can look up to see who I’ve run into, he’s stepping right into my personal space. Whoever he is, his big body is no joke. My eyes flick up.
Shayne. And Carter hovers behind him and a bit to the right. I wince as they edge closer, boxing me in.
My blood runs cold.
“Hey, baby girl.” Shayne smirks as he looks into my eyes.
My smile is nothing more than a grimace. “Hi.” No point in arguing that I’m not his baby girl. I point toward the school. My voice catches a little in my throat. “Excuse me. Th-They’re expecting me in the library.”
Carter snorts. “This early? Doubt it.”
“Don’t try that shit with me,” Shayne snaps.
“No, really. I go in early. I’m the aide.” I’m sort of lying, but I don’t really care. Anything to get me away from these two asshats.
Shayne slowly shakes his head, his beady eyes boring into mine. “That was quite a show you put on at the dance.”
“It was so fucking hot.” Carter bites down on his lip and wriggles his brows at me in a way I’m sure he thinks is sexy or something.
“Uh, thanks? Um, I really need to go.” I squeeze my eyes shut for a second. Shayne’s hot breath fans over my face, making me feel a little queasy. He leans in and my heart rate leaps—and definitely not in a good way. These guys embody every characteristic I’ve hated about jocks since I was a kid. A tremor skates down my spine.
Carter reaches down, groaning a little as he palms himself. “Oh, come on now. You had half the guys at school about to jizz in their dress pants. It’s all anyone was talking about at the after-party.”
My heart continues to race and I press my lips together, silently staring at him. I really don’t want either of them to know that I’m scared. I’m sure that’ll just make things worse. They have it in their heads that I’m weak, and unfortunately, my body language is a dead giveaway, feeding right into that notion.
Carter shakes his head again, chuckling. He leans close to my ear. “The way you walked right up to him and went for it … What are you doing, working your way through the entire fucking football team? Because if that’s the case,” he whispers menacingly, “I’m definitely next.”
Shayne smirks as he glances at his friend. “We can tag team her. But I’m first. You can have my sloppy seconds.”
“I need to go inside now.” I clench my teeth together, bring my hands up, and shove at Shayne’s chest first, and then half-heartedly at Carter. It does nothing. They’re both built like bulls. Their bodies have formed an unmoving wall, trapping me here.
“No, baby girl. You’re staying right here with me.” Shayne kicks my feet farther apart and steps between them. Our bodies are smashed together from chest to pelvis.
Carter’s smile is twisted as he watches his buddy grind his erection against me. He grabs his junk again, thrusting his hips forward. “Fuck, yes. Lift her skirt up. I want to see her panties.”
This can’t be happening. I’m in a parking lot in broad daylight.I struggle, then come to an abrupt stop when Shayne moans like he’s getting off on it. “You’re both fucking assholes, you know that? Is this the only way you can get girls? To intimidate them? Assault them? What the fuck is wrong with you?” My voice comes out shriller than I’d have liked.
At my angry words, I feel his cock harden even more against my stomach. I should have known better. Now I get it. This guy gets off on it when I try to fight back. Except he knows he’s in complete control.
I suck in a breath. In a slow, measured voice I demand, “Get off of me.”
Without any warning, Shayne backs up, hands in the air. Carter quickly does the same.
My brow furrows, but then I notice neither guy is actually looking at me; their gazes are fixed over my head and slightly to the right.
“I thought you fuckwads were told to stay the fuck away from her. Told you can’t even look at her. And you definitely aren’t allowed to fucking touch her.” The words rumble out and there isn’t a hint of a question to them.