“We got it,” I snap.
His eyes narrow, but he turns and disappears down the hall to find some other students to annoy.
Easton puts my detention slip in my hand, and for a moment, I can almost imagine we’re not brother and sister, I’m not fucked-up, and we’re two normal people, just holding hands.
When he starts to leave, my fingers wrap around his forearm, stopping him.
He stares at my grip for a long moment before his gaze trails up my arm, landing on my face again. “I only said what he needed to hear. Nothing more, nothing less. He’ll keep quiet, and he won’t be going near you again. I can promise you that.”
This time when he turns, I let my hand slide down his wrist and drop to my side.
He’s almost around the corner when he pauses, his back to me. “I might not have talked to you this much before, but I’ve always noticed you, Eva.” His voice is so soft it floats over my skin. “All I’ve done for three fucking years is notice you.”
My eyes are wide open as I roll onto my side, tangling my bed sheets in the process. Restless, I turn to the other side. And then, to my stomach. I stare at my phone beside my pillow for a long moment before I snatch it up. I ignore the ridiculous number of unread texts, desperate attempts at booty calls from guys who think they know me, and scroll through my contacts for a new face.
But there’s only one face I want.
You always have a choice.
I drop my phone and flip onto my back. Easton’s right about one thing. Right now, I do have a choice. I pull my bottom lip through my teeth and let my fingers trail past the hem of my cotton crop top. The soft touch tickles my bare midsection and lights a fire between my legs. My eyes fall shut as this afternoon replays in my head. Him, so close. His warm breath on my cheek. The heat of his body. The rasp of his voice vibrating low in my core.
I’ve always noticed you, Eva.
My hand slides lower and dips beneath my panties. The look on his face freezes in my mind, his words wrapping tightly around me.
All I’ve done for three fucking years is notice you.
Right now, I imagine he wears that look for me only. That he belongs to me.
And I ride away on a fantasy I know will never be mine.
Easton
Pulling up in front of the ostentatious mansion, I park the car at the curb. A sob sounds from the seat beside me, breaking the silence.
I look over at Whitney.
She’s a mess, her usually perfect ponytail tangled and uncombed. Black mascara smeared below her eyes. Her nose is pink and wet. She’s been visiting her mom a lot over these past few weeks, and each time is harder on her than the last. Each time, her dad grows closer to pulling the plug.
Her tear-filled eyes meet mine. “I hate him.”
I nod. Whitney was fourteen when she caught her dad with his pants down. Some girl her own age was leaning over his lap. After his wife’s car accident, he started disappearing more and more. Revulsion floods me at just the thought of the creep.
“Sometimes, I want to kill him.” She sniffs. “Like, literally wrap my hands around his neck and squeeze.”
“I know.”
“Think you could do it for me?” She wipes her eyes, her tone softening. “I’ll pay you extra.”
My lips quirk. “Tempting.”
She half-chuckles and leans back against the passenger seat. We sit in silence for a moment, and my thoughts drift to where they always do. To a certain reckless Colombian with the kind of doe eyes that could steal a man’s soul.
Through my window, I peer into the dark. It’s eleven on a school night, but I know Eva could be anywhere right now. With anyone. My knuckles curl, and I release them slowly. I force my thoughts to not get carried away. Not until I can check on her and see if she’s in her room, safe and untouched.
“Rumors about my parents are circulating again.” Whitney’s whisper is so quiet I barely hear it. Her head rests against the seat, heavy eyes gazing out her window. “Carter’s having a field day with them.”
I look at her, at the anxiety flaring behind her distant gaze. It’s the same look she used to get right before the peer pressure made her crack. “It’s just words, Whit,” I say gently. “Don’t let them get to you. Especially a piece of shit like Carter.”
