“Oh my God,” he says, grinning wide. “You’re jealous.”
“I amnotjealous! You’re a terrible boyfriend! Let go of me! Ihateyou!”
I tug at my arm, but he won’t release me.
“Lina, wait. Just talk to me.”
“Iamtrying to talk to you, but you won’t stop laughing at me!”
“Look at me.”
I don’t.
“Lina.” Gently, he tips my chin up with his fingers, and my eyes meet his. His voice is low now, serious. “Why are you so convinced I have a girlfriend? I swear to you I don’t. I’m not dating anyone.”
I search his face. There’s no sign of a lie. Either he’s a pathological liar, or… he’s telling the truth.
“Jessie said you and Rachel were together,” I say, trying to keep my voice even. “She said Rachel was rude yesterday because she sees me as a threat to your relationship.”
Axel groans. “Of course she did.”
“Explain.”
“I’m not dating Rachel. Never have, never will,” he says, holding my gaze. “I won’t lie, we hooked up a few times over the summer. I was upfront about it being casual, which she agreed to. But when she caught feelings and wanted more, I ended it.”
The words sting, even though I have no right to care. But something still doesn’t add up.
“Then why does Jessie think you’re still together?”
“I can only assume, but if Rachel told her we’re still a thing, Jessie’s going to believe her. They’re best friends.”
I chew that over. “Okay.”
“Okay?”
“Okay.And I wasn’t jealous, you conceited ass. Jessie made me feel like I was causing issues in your so-called relationship. It made me feel like shit.”
Axel’s expression softens. “I’m sorry you felt that way. Really. So… we good now?”
Before I can answer, a voice slithers in from behind us.
“Well, well. Look at the two lovebirds.”
Darren steps into view, and bile rises in my throat.
Jesus.
Someone’s completely rearranged his face. His skin’s a nauseating palette of purple, yellow, and green, and his nose is wrapped in what looks like a makeshift cast. He looks like a grotesque, walking bruise.
Axel’s posture shifts subtly, his body angling, shielding me without even thinking.
“What do you want, Darren?” he asks, voice cool, calm. Suddenly, he’s back to the Axel I met on my first day here. Distant. Mean. Dangerous.
Darren smirks. Or tries to. It looks painful.
“I just wanted to say hi to my friend.Luscious Lina.”
I pale even further at the nickname. My fingers instinctively reach behind Axel and clutch a fistful of his shirt, grounding myself against his steady warmth. I lean into him slightly, pulling comfort from his scent, from the firm presence of his body between me and Darren.
