“Okay,” I said, standing. “But I need to stop at my locker. My textbook’s there.”
Mandy groaned. “Again? Why didn’t you grab it earlier?”
I started toward the hallway. “I forgot.”
“You’ve been super weird lately.” She blew out a breath, hurrying to match my pace. “What happened?”
Losing my job had hit harder than I thought, and Asher’s emotional roller coaster didn’t help. Three days later, I still couldn’t get the imageof his naked body out of my head. I couldn’t tell Mandy that—not after Kyle said he’d seen my brother at the club.
“I’m just stressed,” I said as we reached the lockers. “My father keeps bringing up the PSAT.”
“We have plenty of time to prep.” Mandy rolled her eyes and turned to her combination lock. “He needs to chill.”
“Unfortunately, that word isn’t in his vocabulary. What did you want to tell me?”
She glanced around, checking that the few students nearby weren’t listening. “Dean and I are making progress. You know we talked at the club, right? Well, today he asked if I was going to Kyle’s party Saturday, and then he…” She giggled, biting her lip. “He pushed a strand of my hair back, touched my cheek, and said he’s looking forward to seeing me there.”
Classic Dean. I knew at least a few girls he’d led on only to ghost them after they slept together. Mandy knew too, but she must’ve convinced herself she’d be the exception.
“Did he text you after the club,” I asked, “or did he just ignore you for days before randomly asking about the party?”
She sighed. “I should’ve known you wouldn’t be happy for me. Everyone likes him but you, so maybe you’re the problem?”
“I’m happy if you are, Mandy,” I said. “I just don’t want you to get hurt.”
“You’ll go to the party with me, right?” She ignored my warning. “Kyle wants you to come.”
Dad wanted me home studying, but if I stayed in, I’d just think about Mom and miss her more. Kyle’s party sounded like the distraction I needed.
I stalled by my locker. “Yeah.”
“Cool.” Mandy did a little dance on the spot. “I gotta pee before class. See you there.”
Her footsteps faded down the hall. I reached for my Lit textbook.
“Kaia.”
What the hell? Dean leaned against the locker beside mine, forearm braced, wearing his trademark white T-shirt despite the cold. Had he overheard us?
“Are you going to class?”
He’d never spoken to me before. Why now? I shut my locker, spun the dial, and hugged the book to my chest. “Yeah. I’m almost late. Why?”
His eyes slid over me, a smirk curving his mouth. Even in my hoodie and baggy jeans, I felt stripped bare under the weight of it. “Just wondering. There’s a party Saturday. Hope you’ll be there.”
I snorted. “Are you serious?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?” He leaned closer, invading what little space I had. “I’ll make sure you have a good time. Say yes.”
My throat tightened, heart thudding. What the hell was his problem? I’d never given him a reason to think I was interested. And what about Mandy?
“You already asked Mandy.” My voice sharpened with anger. “What’s your problem?”
“Mandy…” He rubbed his chin, feigning thought. “I don’t remember anything. Seriously, you should come. Mandy or whatever can tag along. Just wear something better.”
Heat surged through me, my hands shaking. How dare he?
“Go invite someone else.” I spun away, marching toward class.
