Viktor's lips curl into that insufferable smirk of his. "Aw, is someone jealous again?"
"Of you? Please." I bare my teeth in what might pass for a smile. "You’re like a fungus. Persistent, annoying, and impossible to get rid of.”
Zach’s brunette friend chokes on his drink, coughing and laughing simultaneously. The other blond at the table smirks, leaning back in his chair like he’s watching his favorite reality show.
And Zach?
He only stares at me, face blank as ever.
My throat tightens, tears gathering in the corners of my eyes. Why doesn’t he care that I'm upset? Without another word, I turn and walk back to the table where my tray is. Luckily, it’s empty. My chest heaves as I drop into the chair.
I take an angry sip of my milkshake, the sweetness doing nothing to chase away the fucktastic hurricane of emotions raging inside. My leg bounces under the table as I pick at my grilled cheese, tearing off pieces of crust and arranging them in a neat little pile.
Deep breaths, Merci. Deep fucking breaths.
"Well, if it isn't the community hole."
I look up to find the guys from the frat party looming over me, including the one who punched Eli in the leg. I fight back the smirk threatening to form as I take them in. Alexei sure did a number on the asshole’s face.
But my stomach churns as the one in the middle—some douchebag in a backward baseball cap—leans closer, his eyes raking over my body like I’m something he scraped off the bottom of his shoe. "What, no slutty crop top today?"
My jaw clenches as I set my cup down. “Fuck off.”
“Aw, don’t be like that,” the guy who had yanked me off the table says as he reaches out to brush his fingers against my cheek. “We’re just trying to get to know you better.”
I bat his hand away, my lip curling. "Touch me again, and you'll lose that hand."
"Feisty little—" The words cut off in a choked gurgle as a large hand wraps around his throat.
Zach towers over him, squeezing until the guy's face turns red. "Keep your fucking hands off what isn't yours. Or do I need to break your other wrist?"
The two other guys back away, hands raised. "Chill, man. We were just—"
"Leave." Zach’s voice comes out like a deep, threatening growl. "Now."
They scramble back, practically tripping over themselves to get away. Zach releases the asshole he’s currently choking, and the guy stumbles after his friends, coughing and sputtering.
"I had that handled," I mutter, stabbing my finger into my lukewarm sandwich.
"Sure you did, Little Scorpion." He slides into the chair across from me.
My heart does a stupid little flip at the nickname. "Don't."
"What?"
"Don't act like you give a shit." The words come out sharper than intended. "Is this your new plan? Get me to fall for you, then break my heart? Because if so, get it over with."
His expression doesn't change, but something flickers in his eyes. "I can't hurt you anymore."
"No shit. Mrs. Novotny established that." I rip off a piece of my sandwich and shove it into my mouth, chewing vehemently. After I swallow, I glare right at him. “But I guess you get to mind fuck me, huh?”
He only stares at me, the silence heavy and uncomfortable. I rub my hands over my face, hating that I’m being such a drama queen. Zach literally saved my ass from those jerks, and here I am giving him shit because I have feelings for him but have no fucking idea if they’re returned.
“So,” I say, breaking the silence. “Do you just go around choking people for fun?”
“Only when they deserve it.”
I snort and roll my eyes. “Such a hero.”
