When I pull back, I keep my eyes on Sam’s retreating figure.Red ponytail swinging.Shoulders squared.Walking with that nothing-touches-me strut, even though I know I do.
This isn’t about getting laid.
I could get off with any girl in this place.
I already have.
But Sam?
She’s the only one who makes it worth the chase.
I let Shantel kiss me again.Harder this time, messier.She’s all tongue and lip gloss, and I let her think it’s doing something for me.It’s not.My mind’s already miles away, somewhere between the front gate and the swing of a red ponytail.
When I pull back, I wipe my mouth on the back of my hand.No shame, no apology.Just a smirk for the effort.
She pouts, lower lip shoved out like she expects me to kiss it better.“You’re such a tease,” she says.
I cock my head.“Takes one to know one.”
“You want to hang out?”she asks.
Not a chance.I’d rather watch paint dry.
“Nah,” I say.“Got better things to do.”Which is code for: I’ve already used you for what I needed, so now it’s over.
She huffs, tugs at her too-short skirt like modesty suddenly matters, and storms off toward the courtyard.“Asshole,” she mutters under her breath.
She’s not wrong.
I move through the school gates, backpack slung low, swagger set to cruise control.Noah’s already waiting near the flagpole, Jace beside him with that smug grin that usually means trouble or tits.Sometimes both.
We fall into step, cutting through the chaos.First bell hasn’t even rung, and the place is crawling with try-hards and hormone-choked wannabes.
Jace sparks a cigarette he won’t finish.One of those crusty teachers will be on his ass before the filter burns.But Jace… he lives to stir shit.The more rules he breaks, the harder he grins.
“Shantel blew me behind the science block this morning,” he says, dragging in deep and exhaling through his nose.“So technically, you’re tasting me right now.”
I freeze mid-step, dry-heaving like I’ve been poisoned.“What the actual fuck is wrong with you?”
He shrugs, all cocky shoulders and zero shame.“Thought you deserved to start your day with something memorable.”
“You’re fucking feral.”
“I aim to please.She swallowed,” Jace adds with a wicked grin.“Begged for it too.Said she hadn’t eaten yet.”
Noah chokes, gagging so hard he actually stumbles.“You’re fucking sick.”
“I’m just generous,” Jace says, smug as hell.“Feeding the hungry and shit.”
Noah rolls his eyes, shoving his hands into his pockets.“Do you guys wanna hang out later?Might hit the courts after school.”
I’m about to answer, but Noah’s gaze sharpens ahead, zeroing in.
Aubrey.
She’s cutting across the quad, head down, hair loose, books clutched to her chest.And just like that, Noah forgets we exist.
“Later,” he mutters, already moving toward her.
