Asshole: Did I ever tell you how pretty you are when you sass back?
I shouldn’t have liked that praise.
Asshole: Are those little fuckers at your school leaving you alone, or do you need Daddy to come and break their kneecaps for looking at you?
God… this man. He was insufferable.
Don’t you have actual work to do or, I don’t know, stealing souls and delivering them to hell? Or maybe you get off on harassing high school girls? And stop calling yourself Daddy. It’s nasty.
But it’s notmy body whispered.
Asshole: Mmm, call me Daddy again.
I made an exasperated noise and tossed my phone into my bag. Fuck him. He was so annoying. Could you get high blood pressure at my age?
Thankfully, he left me alone, but I knew he’d be laughing in that arrogant way of his if he were here.
When the bell rang and school was let out, I gathered my books and put them in my bag as I walked down the hallway. The noise was deafening with everybody talking at once and eager to get out. I felt this strange tightness in my body the closer I got to those doors, knowing Hades would be waiting for me.
I was adjusting my bag and not paying attention for a split second when I ran into someone. Textbooks scattered across the floor, and I bent down to pick them up, muttering an apology.
“We just keep running into each other. It must be destiny.”
I glanced up just as Trevor crouched down and started helping me pick up my books. I gave an awkward laugh because the way he looked at me after he said those words meant a little something more than I was comfortable with.
When I had all my things straightened, we both headed toward the doors, which Trevor held open for me. I stepped out into the warm, September air.
“Thanks for helping me back there,” I said as I scanned the front of the school, where all the overpriced cars were lined up.
I was about twenty feet from the curb when I stopped, realizing Trevor was still right next to me. I glanced at him expectantly, his expression telling me he had something on his mind.
“Listen,” he said and lifted his hand to shield the sun from his eyes. “I’m throwing a party this weekend. It’s kind of like a back-to-school thing. I do it every year. The entire school comes. You should, too.”
“I’ll be honest.” I adjusted my shoulder bag and felt this discomfort filling me. I hadn’t talked about my parents’ passing, and as the weeks had passed and I was getting into this new routine, I didn’t want to risk opening up that fresh grief again.
“Oh shit. I’m sorry. Did I overstep? I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable, and it looks like you are.”
And now my face was on fire because he’d noticed how awkward I made things.
“No, you did nothing wrong. It’s just… I lost my parents not that long ago. That’s why I’m living with Hades. It’s a long, complicated situation. And as much as socialization sounds great, I don’t think I’d be much fun to be around.” I was also pretty sure Hades would not be agreeable about me going to some party. He was a strict asshole on the best of days.
“I’m really sorry to hear about your parents. I lost my grandmother last year. I know it’s not the same thing, but I was really close with her.”
No, not the same thing, Trevor.But thank you for trying to empathize with me.
Instead of saying all that, I just smiled.
“But the parties are really low-key. We just hang around, eat a lot of shit that’s bad for us, and sometimes there are drinks.” He winked. “It might be good for you to meet other people from school?” He held out his hands, almost in surrender, and grinned. “Of course, no pressure. But the offer stands if you change your mind.”
My skin tightened again, and I realized it had nothing to do with the awkward situation of telling someone my parents had died and everything to do with being watched.
I rubbed the back of my neck but refused to look around because I knewwhowatched me.
I was sure Hades was lurking somewhere in the shadows, glowering at me for not being punctual and in the car. I was pretty sure I pissed him off because he had to wait.
Well, let him.
“Thanks again for today and showing me around.”