“Err. No.”
“But would you admit it if you were?” His smile was wide, and had he not been so horrifically close to unveiling me, I would have laughed also. “Didn’t Wade say you’re a football fan?”
“I am. But not a Saints fan.”
“Oh.” Shane looked momentarily confused. “I’m only joking.”
“Yeah, no, it’s funny.” I pretended to look at my watch. “Well, I better scoot.”
“Yeah, sorry.”
As I turned from him, I walked straight into the brown-haired girl, Elise. “Sorry,” I mumbled as I almost ran past her. When I was far enough away, I turned back to see her talking to Shane, who lookedfartoo relaxed and casual with a girl after just asking me on a date. I didn’t miss her head turning and looking my way either before I rounded the corner out of sight.
I had a very bad feeling about this, and the feeling lasted all day.
* * *
Yet another night of restless sleep, and I woke up with a banging sore head and a temper to rival a bear who’s just found out some bastard ate his porridge.
“How are you feeling?” Mia asked me as she sipped her coffee.
“You’ve asked me five times,” I replied as I shoved my notebook into my book bag. “And for the fifth time, I’m fine.”
“You don’t sound fine.”
“How do I sound?” I asked as I picked up my own coffee cup and swallowed the contents in a few gulps.
“Irritable.”
With a snort, I kissed her cheek before I was out the door and heading to class.
I would have loved some fresh air to clear my head, but it was September, and I had zero chance of feelingfresh.I needed more coffee. Maybe an IV right into the vein this morning would do the trick. Checking my watch, I had time if the coffee shop was quiet. Putting more speed into my steps, I walked with single-minded purpose to get more of my morning fix.
The line was stupidly long, but I’d stayed in it, and my caramel latte was in my hands and tasted like heaven in a cup.
With a deep gulp, I swirled the coffee goodness around my mouth before swallowing. Ugh, whoever said coffee was better than sex was obviously right. This was much more satisfying. I ignored my inner denial and the projected porn show in my head as I hurried to Leitch’s class.
All the coffee in the world wouldn’t have been enough to get me through the fifty minutes of hell he unleashed on me. I wish I knew what his problem with me was. By the time class was finished, I was emotionally and physically drained. As I walked outside in a daze, my brain in danger of quitting for the day completely, I knew the only thing to get me to the next class was more coffee. Or watching Leitch drown . . .
Coffee. I needed coffee.
“Hey, can I have a caramel latte please?” I ordered, and as I stood back to wait, I looked around the coffee shop.
How I missed seeing Jett when I came in was a feat in itself. His head was bent together with his brother and the girl who was sometimes with them. I didn’t know her name, I just wished I had her legs. She was beautiful and always looked out of place when I saw her, like she shouldn’t be carrying books with her in college, but instead, be on a runway somewhere or have her face on the cover of magazines.
Jett must have felt me looking as his head raised, and his angry eyes met mine. Quickly, I looked away, but not before I saw him hit Gray’s arm to get his attention. Hastily, I picked my order up, and with a glance over at them, I saw all three of them glaring at me now.
What the actual hell?My feet were not slow in getting me out of there.
I didn’t even know he was following me until I felt the hand on my arm before he jerked me to a stop.
“Dude,notcool!” I squirmed, trying to get out of his grip. Jett ignored me as he began to walk us across the grass. “Hey.” I tried to get his attention. “Hey!” My voice was louder, and I saw several people look our way.
“Shut up before I shut you up.”
“Who the fuck do you think you are?” I wrenched my arm again, and still his hand held me in a punishing grip.
“I know exactly whoIam. Tell me,” he looked down at me as we walked, “who the fuck are you?”
