“I think I’m falling for him.”
There. I said it. The truth is out, and I can no longer pretend that my feelings aren’t real. That this is nothing more than a hormonal response to a good-looking hung guy. I mean, there’s that too.
“Really?” Summer’s voice sounds so soft my heart pinches.
“Yes.” I reach for the spoon and stir the remnants of my cold latte. Distraction helps, especially when they look at me with pity. “It’s stupid, right? He’s from the Heights, and I’m…” I wave a hand around our surroundings as tears threaten to fall. “I’m just… I’ve got nothing.”
“Hey, hey, hey.” Rain slides her cup aside and takes my hand. “Don’t speak like that. Kane would be lucky to have you.”
I tilt my head back and blink away the tears. The last thing I want is to cry in front of a room full of people.
“Look at me.” Rain’s gentle voice pulls me back. “Our background doesn’t define us, not unless we let it. We’re fromthe Falls. So? What of it? Who cares? If he can’t see how great you are… well, babes, then he doesn’t deserve you.”
“If only it were that simple.” I wipe my cheeks because, of course, tears are escaping. God, I hate crying. I’ve done too much of that lately but never because of a guy. That’s a first.
Two hands slam against the window and we scream like idiots. I’m sure I shaved ten years off my life just then.
Windswept, Jackson laughs before jogging toward the door. The bell jangles as he enters the cafeteria and heads straight for our table.
“What are you doing here?” Rain asks when he joins us.
Jackson sits down beside me and rests his arm on the back of my chair. “Got a special request from a client.”
When he’s not messing around with my brother and their friends, he makes a living by custom-painting cars. I’ve seen some of the cars he’s worked on and he’s really talented. The metallic scent of aerosol clings to his hoodie, but it’s not unpleasant.
“What’s going on?” he asks, tapping his finger on the table. That’s Jackson for you. Never sits still, constantly tapping a finger or jiggling a knee like he’s doing now.
“How’s my favorite girl?” he asks me with a teasing smile.
Rain looks like the devil on her shoulder whispers scheming shit in her ear, so I shake my head before she gets any stupid ideas.
Of course she doesn’t listen. When does she ever?
“Our girl here was just telling us about her weekend.”
“What about it?”
“Yes, Jessica. What about it?” Rain teases.
One of these days, I’ll get her back. Don’t ask me when, but I will. And she’ll beg for mercy. I can almost hear the evil laughter in my head, drawn out and prolonged like a movie villain.
“Hang on. Has this got anything to do with Chris asking if we’ve seen you?”
“It’s nothing.” I wave him off. “Ignore Rain. You know how she likes to stir up trouble?—”
The bell jangles over the door again before Kane’s friends, Noah and Maverick, walk in wearing expensive clothes and perfectly styled hair. I immediately tense up. What are they doing here in the Falls? The room falls silent as everyone quiets down, even the flirty boys a few tables over.
Noah spots us first and smacks his friend’s shoulder with the back of his hand to get his attention.
“What the fuck are they doing here?” Jackson mutters under his breath as they head toward us.
“Hi, ladies.” Noah pulls out the chair beside Rain before sitting down and manspreading like he owns the place. His jaw tenses as he snags on Jackson’s arm on my backrest. I instantly feel uncomfortable, and I don’t know why. It’s not like I’m doing anything wrong, but the disapproval is clear as day in his sharp features.
“What are you doing here?” Jackson’s tense voice sends a chill down my spine.
Noah ignores the question as he looks around. “Where are your friends?”
I know that if I don’t do something, this could escalate quickly. I reach under the table to squeeze Jackson’s leg, then feel eyes on me again. Noah’s watching me as if he thinks something is going on between me and Jackson. We’re just friends.
