Jace watches him go, snorts, then turns to me.“Pussy whipped.”
I snort.“You’re one to talk.”
“Only when the pussy’s worth it.”He grins, all sharp teeth and zero shame.
“Classy.”
“Always.”
Jace grinds out his cigarette with the toe of his boot, sending ash skittering across the concrete.We push through the front doors, and the noise swells.Laughter too loud.Shoes squeaking.Some idiot slamming a locker shut just to hear it echo.
A group of girls turn as we walk in.Whispers.Bites of giggles.One of them tucks her hair behind her ear, angling her body toward Jace with that desperate smile he never returns.
I barely notice them.
I’m scanning the hallway.Eyes moving over heads, searching for Red.She’s not here, and neither are her friends.Not that I care.I just look.
Jace and I head for our usual spot near the back hallway, where no one goes unless they’re cutting class or dealing with something they shouldn’t be.
Jace’s eyes land on a guy who’s practically dry-humping his girlfriend in front of the vending machine.It’s all hands and tongue, no shame, right there next to the Doritos.
He nudges my elbow.“Think if he fucks her hard enough against the glass, a Snickers’ll fall out?”
I let out a laugh and lean back against the wall, letting the noise fade around me.Girls walk past, tossing glances.Jace laps it up.I don’t even see them.
My eyes are still on the hallway.Waiting for red.
Nicole appears from around the lockers.Tight skirt.Black tank.Eyes sharp as glass and hungry for witnesses.She makes a straight line for Jace and hooks her arm around his elbow, claiming him in public because that’s how girls around here measure worth.
“Morning,” she says, all sugar-sweet and loud enough for every girl within earshot to hear.The bitch is venom wrapped in lip gloss.
She presses into him, hand already sliding over his chest. “What are you doing?”she asks, batting her lashes.
It is always a performance.
Everyone knows it.
Tia and Nicole have been locked in some pathetic bitch war ever since Aubrey knocked Tia on her ass.
Now the two of them take turns parading guys around, proving who still has power.Last week it was Tia hanging all over Jace, whispering promises and letting everyone see.
This week, it looks like it’s Nicole’s turn.By Friday, they’ll probably decide to share him and call it a strategy.
Jace never says no.Attention and action are his favorite drugs.The guy practically runs on ego and blowjobs.
Nicole tips her chin up, lips parted, already imagining the win, already planning how she’ll brag to Tia at lunch.
Her mouth hovers just above his.
“What the fuck are you doing?”Jace shoves her back with one hand.
Not hard, but hard enough.
She stumbles, catches herself on the locker behind her.Faces turn.Eyes lock on the scene as if blood’s been spilled.
Jace doesn’t kiss.Everyone knows that.It’s the one line he won’t let a girl cross.
Nicole stands frozen, trying to claw back her pride, but Jace’s voice slices through her before she can grab it.
