“Ryder?” She places her soft hand on my arm, and it takes colossal willpower not to pull her close and kiss her.
I snap out of it, remembering why I brought this up. “I had to say some shit to Lopez today to stop him making a play for you.”
“What kind of shit?”
I clear my throat, scrubbing a hand over my stubbly chin. I hate telling her this, but it’s not right to keep her in the dark either, so I made myself a promise that I’d fess up. “I insinuated I was only pretending to be your friend so I could fuck you.”
“Oh.”
Zeta is good at masking her feelings, but I can usually see behind it, because, in a lot of ways, she’s a lot like me. My statement has upset her, and I need to make this right. “But it’s obviously a total lie, and I’d never do that to you, so you don’t need to worry.” Now she looks even more hurt, and I can’t figure out what I’ve said that’s offended her. “But I’ll need you to back me up if anyone asks.”
She’s quiet for a moment. Then she turns to me, a muscle tensing in her jaw. “I just want to make sure I got this straight.” She narrows her eyes as she drills a piercing look at me. “Youaremy friend, and you’ve no interest in hooking up with me, but you want me to tell everyone we’re not friends, and we’re just fucking, if they ask?”
I bob my head. “That’s pretty much it in a nutshell.”
“Right. Got it.” Her tone is icy cold as she scrambles to her feet.
I jump up. “Where you going?”
“Back to my cell. I have stuff to do.”
“What stuff?”
“Just stuff.” She stalks off, her long legs making quick work of the room.
I’m rooted to the spot, completely confused over what the fuck just happened. Snapping out of it, I take off after her, catching up to her just outside the room. Valeria and the other girls have her surrounded, and they’re pushing her around, taking advantage of the fact Powell and Price are in some kind of heated argument back in the common room, unaware we’ve left, and Watson is talking with someone on his walkie-talkie, his chin down, not paying attention to what’s going down out here in the hallway.
“Back the fuck up.” I push my way in between Valeria and Zeta.
“Oh, look, it’s lover boy to the rescue,” Valeria taunts, and Sam, Camila, and Sofia laugh, like they’re sharing some inside joke.
“It’s such a shame,” Camila adds, stepping into me and running her hand up my chest. “Such a fucking hot body, and no clue what to do with it.”
The girls laugh again, and Zeta steps out from behind me, taking hold of Camila’s wrist and thrusting it away. “Keep your fucking hands, and your stupid insults, to yourself.”
“Possessive, isn’t she?” Valeria sneers at me.
“You’d know all about that. The way you chase after Lopez is pathetic,” Zeta coolly retorts.
“You know, you could’ve just taken me up on my offer.” Valeria ignores Zeta, pushing her chest into mine and reaching down for my cock. “I know how to show a man a good time. The offer’s always open for you, gorgeous.” I grip her wrist before her palm touches my dick, grimacing as I push it away. Zeta flinches, and I instantly step back, tugging her with me. On instinct, I take her hand, holding it firmly so she can’t let go.
“I’m not into you, and I never will be,” I tell Valeria, and I’m playing nice by not telling her what I really think.
Valeria laughs, as if the idea of anyone turning down her pussy is ridiculous.
“Are you scared of pussy, or you swing the other way?” Sam asks, grinning as she roams her gaze all over me.
“Let’s not play games.” Valeria flashes Zeta a smug look before fixing her gaze firmly on mine. “I know why you’re hesitant. I know you fed Lopez a load of bullshit he bought, but the truth is, you’re still rocking your V-card, aren’t you? There’s no shame in that, Ryder. I think it’s kinda cute.”
“I think it’s fucking lame,” Camila says, sending me a derisory look. “There’s something clearly wrong with you.”
“Why?” Zeta injects herself into the conversation while squeezing my hand. “Because he has enough self-respect to avoid sleeping with skanks like you?”
“Who da fuck are you to look down your nose at me?” she barks. “And weren’t you the one who said you’d had more cock than hot dinners.”
Zeta rolls her eyes. “If you’re going to throw shade at someone, at least remember to do it correctly.”
“Interesting,” Valeria says, yanking Camila back. “You meant what you said literally.” A sly smile creeps over her face, and then she cracks up laughing. “Oh, this is priceless. You’re a virgin too?”
