The guys at the table take my meaning to be sexual, reacting like a bunch of animals.
Blair sends another glare at the ground. The angry pinch between her brows is something I have the urge to trace and learn the shape of with my tongue.
What is this…
My head is more messed up today than I thought.
“Um.” Thea Kennedy comes up behind Blair with napkins. She offers them. “I brought you these.”
Bishop tenses, sucking in a sharp breath. I toss a questioning glance at him. His focus is completely locked on Thea, his expression like a hungry lion opening its maw to chomp on a rabbit.
“Thanks,” Blair mumbles, accepting them.
Thea hovers while Blair pats herself. She shoots Bishop and I a disapproving look. This goody-goody is a little buzzkill who probably thinks the world is sunshine and rainbows.
Bishop explodes from his seat and gets in Thea’s face. It’s laughable because he’s a giant next to her, almost needing to lean over to reach her. Thea is shorter than Blair, even.
Thea freezes, clutching the napkins to her chest. “U-um, Connor.”
“Were you invited over here?” Bishop demands.
Thea blinks. “No. That doesn’t matter, though.” She tips her chin up. “Blair needed help.”
“Blair needed help?” Bishop mimics, circling behind her. He clamps his hands on her shoulders. “You hear that, Dev?”
“Sure did.” With a grunt, I rise to my feet and amble into Blair’s personal space. “Did you need help, Davis?”
I communicate what her answer better be with my hard gaze. Blair works her jaw, then sighs.
“No,” she mutters in a monotone.
The caged rebellious energy flows from her almost as if it’s a living entity, brushing against me like a lure. I want her disobedience and mutiny so I can take extra enjoyment from making her bend to my will. I smother the urge to brush wet hair away from her cheeks.
Thea’s big eyes dance between Blair and I with her lower lip tucked between her teeth. “Well—”
“You know,” Bishop drawls next to Thea’s ear, grinning at her flinch. He traces her shoulders, plucking at the chunky sleeves of the sweater she’s wearing instead of the school blazer. “The only thing a girl next door is good for is warming my dick.” He leans closer enough that her auburn curls touch his lips as he speaks in a sinister hush. “You offering, neighbor? You can leave your granny sweater on.”
I catch his words because they’re standing beside us.
Thea trips over her own foot as she stumbles out of Bishop’s grasp. “You…You—”
“Me,” Bishop declares with a proud sweep of his arms. “All me, baby.”
The way he says it hints at something more to the meaning.
Thea seems to understand perfectly. She shakes her head like she can’t believe her eyes. Her expression crumbles and she rushes off, dashing tears away.
Bishop watches her retreat with his jaw clenched. Darkness clouds his eyes. I glance from Thea to Bishop. I’m worried about what’s been on his mind lately.
When I turn back to the table, everyone’s watching the two-for-one show play out. There’s a thirst for blood in every face, the drama unfolding too good to ignore.
“Make the dog do another trick,” Trent suggests.
Sean and the others bust out in cackling laughter.
Thirteen
Blair