I make sure to say it loud enough for everyone at the table to hear as I say, “No thanks. I’d rather the other version. He’d be the fun one.”
“Same team, man. You need her,” Cain states.
Luca ignores him, sliding his hand into my hair instead to pull my head back. His eyes drop to my lips. “She does seem really thirsty though. Open up.”
I don’t, but it doesn’t stop him from pouring soda over my mouth, which drips down my neck, chest, and all over my uniform.
“Luca, that’s enough. Let her go,” Brooke pleads but it’s no use. The heathen holding me hostage is enjoying his rein way too much.
“You’re going to pay for that,” I tell him, my teeth clenching so hard my jaw aches.
He leans forward, whispering, “Send me the bill. I’m sure you’re cheap.”
Without thinking, I spit in his face, automatically grasping the first tray I feel on the table. I bring it towards his thick head as hard as I can.
He realizes my intention but only manages to shield his head from the whack he deserves, but the contents of the tray go all over him. His arm drops back down, but he still doesn’t release me.
Remy yells, “Food fight!” then starts throwing his lunch across the room. I stay locked in a stare down with the maniac holding me hostage. I swear the motherfucker is enjoying thisdisplay. Me, not so much. He brings the absolute worst side out of me, making me do things I would never normally do. And I hate him for it.
28
LUCA
Principal Guidry sits across from us, her fingers tapping on the surface of her desk. “From what I gather, the incident started with the two of you.”
Neither Ivy nor I answer.
“Luca, I spoke with your father, and he agreed with my decision. One week suspension for you both since it’s not the first incident and we’re only a few weeks into the school year.”
There’s silence before Guidry continues, “We can’t have a third occurrence. Next time the consequences will be severe.”
“No, they won’t,” I interrupt her performance.
Her unease grows but she resumes, “Every student has to have accountability, or I can’t do my job. Luca, just try to stay out of trouble. For your sake and your father’s. He really worries about you and Micah.”
There’s a chuckle that flows through me internally. “Seems like you know my father well.” Like not at all. Or at least just what he wants her to think because the man doesn’t give a fuck about anyone but himself.
Guidry looks to Ivy. “I know it’s been a rough couple of months, but we are here to support you. Don’t forget that.”
“Sure,” Ivy stands and walks out of the office.
I follow behind her as we head to the parking lot and notice food still in her hair. “I’m sure Daddy will be upset with you. Just tell him I started it.”
She spins on her heel, turning back to yell at me. “I don’t need shit from you. And if you keep on, I’ll make sure you lose what’s most precious to you. Mercy. That’s your weakness, and I will fucking exploit it if you don’t back the fuck off.”
I watch as she stomps down the hallway, knowing she would never do anything to jeopardize her little brother’s fate. And I realize that she’s dead wrong. Mercy isn’t the most precious thing to me anymore.
I’m still watching where she disappeared down the corridor when I hear my brother’s nagging voice. “Never thought I’d witness the day.”
Motherfucker. Micah caught me off-guard. It’s not like he used it for a great advantage, but I was in my head and didn’t even know he was nearby. I turn to face him, and sure enough, his stance against the locker is as cocky as I’d expected.
“And what day is that?”
“The day your obsession turned into you genuinely caring about someone other than yourself.”
I laugh. “Sounds like your usual bullshit logic to me.”
He waits a solid minute before he tells me, “You don’t need to admit it. We all have our weaknesses. Some are just more of a liability than others.”
