Chapter Two
Emery
“He’s still glaring at you like he wants to chop you into itty-bitty pieces and feed you to the lions at the zoo,” Uma says, sending daggers across the table at the gorgeous guy who has been staring at me since summer school classes started on Monday.
“Stop looking at him,” I hiss. “If we just ignore him, he’ll get bored and glare at someone else.”
“You’re sure you don’t know him?” my new friend asks, pulling the tomatoes out of her chicken salad sandwich.
Uma and I have been thick as thieves from the moment I sat beside her in the auditorium, and it’s good to have someone to hang out with. None of my friends at Tribeca Preparatory had any interest in taking advanced college classes our last summer before senior year. They’re all too busy partying, so I had to do it alone. Not that I mind. I’m focused on my goals and determined to secure a place at West Lorian U after graduation. Places are in high demand at the exclusive private university, and I know these classes will give me an edge, along with my blemish-free academic record.
“I’m positive. I’d never forget a face or a body like that,” I admit. Whoever he is, he’s smoking hot with his cropped darkhair, smoldering brown eyes, high cheekbones, chiseled jawline, and full lips. He’s tall with muscular arms and broad shoulders, and I’m sure he’s hiding a six-pack underneath his tight T-shirt. Long toned legs peek out of shredded jeans, offering glimpses of inviting skin. The stud in his nose and ring in one eyebrow only add to his bad-boy appeal, and it’s one of the reasons why I’m struggling to keep my eyes away from him.
That and the fact he’s about as far removed from my ex as he can get.
“Why are assholes always so hot?” She removes the last piece of tomato, sinking her teeth into her sandwich.
“It’s not just assholes. Noah was hot, and a good guy, and look what he did.” I ram my fork into a piece of pasta, imagining it’s my ex’s head.
“Noah was never a good guy. Any guy who cheats isn’t.”
“My friend Bailey said it was partly my fault for not putting out.” I’m still pissed at her and completely rethinking our entire friendship because of her lack of support.
“Are you kidding me right now?” she says over a mouthful of food.
I shake my head.
“It isnotyour fault, and you need better friends.”
Don’t I know it. This past year, I’ve been feeling more and more disconnected from my group of friends. These are girls I’ve grown up with, but it’s as if our interests no longer gel. Bailey’s sole focus in life appears to be banging every hot guy at school, and the rest of my friends are slowly working their way through the entire football team. Lulu is the only one in a steady relationship, and it’s why I spent most of last year hanging out with her and our boyfriends.
Now Noah and I are toast, that friendship has fallen by the wayside, and I have no clue what senior year is going to bring.
“I wish you went to my school,” I say, finishing the last of my chicken pasta dish. “You’re the first genuine person I’ve met in a real long time.”
Uma wipes the side of her mouth with a napkin, chewing her food before talking. “I used to feel sorry for myself, growing up in a group home, until I realized the relationships I have with my friends are friendships for life. When you go through life like we do, you learn very quickly who is worth investing your time in.” She tilts her head to the side, looking contemplative. “I guess it’s true what they say. Money doesn’t buy happiness.”
“Not even close to it, but I know I’m fortunate.” The topic of wealth is a prickly subject for me right now. I guess you could say my eyes have been opened, and I’m uncomfortable with the things I’ve learned about my father lately. I have grown up wanting for nothing—except a sibling, but that ship sailed a long time ago—and the knowledge our lifestyle has been funded by criminal activities is not sitting well with me.
Daddy doesn’t know I have learned the truth, and I’m still processing what I’m going to do with the knowledge I’ve gleaned.
“Fuck.”
Uma’s expletive pulls me back into the moment.
“They’re coming over here,” she adds, speaking out of the corner of her mouth.
Lifting my chin, I spot Mr. Bad Boy and his equally hot friend walking this way. The cafeteria is pretty empty most days, except for the few high-school students taking summer classes, so you could hear a pin drop as they stride toward us. I notice Harry and Nick observing with scowls on their faces. They were sniffing around us until Uma told them she lived in a group foster home, and they appeared to lose interest in both of us.
Jerks.
“Hello, ladies.” The black-haired hottie waggles his brows, grinning and showcasing a set of perfect teeth. He’s wearing ripped blue jeans and a tight white T-shirt that stretches over bulging biceps. With his piercing blue eyes and model looks, I bet he has girls dropping their panties all over the city. “You’re invited to a party at my place Friday night.”
“No thanks.” Uma answers for both of us, crossing her arms and regarding him warily.
The other guy hovers beside my corner of the table, and I grow hot under his penetrative gaze. Pretending I don’t notice him, I stare at the table, forcing my butt not to squirm in my seat.
“You wound me.” The blue-eyed charmer slaps a hand over his chest. “I’m inviting the entire class. Thought it would be good to break the ice and get to know one another.”
