I huff out a laugh. "Don’t let D hear that."
Wes gives me one more squeeze before we say our goodbyes, and I enter the room. Bria and two cheerleaders are in this class with me, and I get greeted with, "Oh look, she not only fucks her brother but also the best friend. QB. Tight end. Who's next? Wide receiver? Safety?"
My adrenaline level instantly spikes as she addresses not just me but everyone else who's already here. Kellan and Owen are in said positions. The thought of them coming anywhere near me...no thank you. I’ve never had an issue with either; they've been Rhys's teammates and friends for years. They used to greet me in the halls, but since I read what they had to say about me on social media, just looking at the guys makes my skin crawl. I hear some guy bark out a laugh and mutter something inaudible, but I force myself not to look around.
I want to tell Bria where she can shove her petty remarks, but instead of sinking to her level, I hold her gaze until I reach my table. I keep my expression blank, which causes the reaction I was looking for. Bria scowls and then looks at her friend for support. I sit down at my desk, placing my bag over the carving with a loud thud, and allow the satisfying smirk to appear on my face.
They won’t break me.
Emma's suspensionis all over school. The rumor that she might get expelled was thetopic over lunch. As promised by my brother, the article hit the paper this morning, and several screenshots appeared all over social media by the end of first period.
With this being the second time Westbridge High has been mixed up in a bullying scandal, the school's board is already involved, and I am supposed to meet with the school’s guidance counselor tomorrow afternoon. Today, it seems, they’re trying to do damage control.
When I muse why Kat's name is not mentioned anywhere, despite the footage Nate pulled from the school's server, Rhys smirks. "Probably because he has a special plan for her."
"Where is the Wicked Bitch, anyway?" Denielle looks around the cafeteria.
Rhys's smile falls, and the guys glance at each other.
"Rhys?" I slant my head at him.
His lips are in a thin line, and he holds my gaze.
"Kat has been extra lovely this morning. Your man got into it with his psycho ex," Wes clarifies.
My eyes widen, but before I can recover, Denielle asks, "Is there anything worse she can say or do at this point?"
My best friend is referring to the possible statutory rape charge that’s still hanging over our heads.
Wes picks up on the meaning. "Well, maybe not jail-time bad, but definitely ruin-your-school’s-rep bad."
Rhys takes a sip from his water bottle, not making eye contact and speaking toward the table. "She cornered me in class and demanded to know how we got the footage of Emma. With her minion gone, Kat lost one of her best cheerleaders. It was also clear that she was fishing to find out if we saw their conversation. She didn't make a secret out of her involvement. She's getting bold."
My chest tightens. "Why does she think it was us?" I mean, it was us—Nate, technically—but how could she know?
Rhys finally looks up, pinning me down as he explains, "I guess she's starting to put two and two together. That there is a third player. Otherwise, how would she have gotten the picture of you and me that started it all."
Denielle huffs. "Fuck, when did she grow brain cells."
"You need to be careful," Rhys says in a low tone, which makes the hair on my nape stand up.
"Why do you say that?"
"She insinuated that no one takes what’s hers. And now you’ve taken her boyfriend and cheerleader." He pauses for a breath. "She’s planning something, and it won’t be pretty."
I pull my sleeves over my hands and hide my trembling hands by sitting on them. We all know Katherine; she is ruthless when her position is threatened, which makes her feared by almost all the girls in school.
So much for ‘the size of the target hasn’t changed.’
After Rhys's revelation during lunch, I contemplate skipping French. But with Emma not there, the remaining members of the bitch squad suddenly are rendered mute. Surprise, surprise. Sloane shrinks so far down in her chair that her butt hovers in the air in front of the seat, and I'd be lying if I don't admit to the gratification I feel seeing my former friend like this. Theo notices as well and winks before focusing on something on his notepad.
Arriving home,we're greeted by Heather and Tristen, waiting for us sitting in the kitchen. Startled, I come to an abrupt halt, and Rhys bumps into me. Stumbling forward, I catch myself before tripping over my own feet.
Why are they home?
Taking in his parents' grim expressions, Rhys narrows his eyes. "What's going on?"
Tristen leans back in his seat and crosses his arms over his chest. "It's time we talk."