She smirks. “Are you thinking about a certain sexy phantom?”
I shake my head, desperately needing to change the subject. “Have you heard from your mystery man?”
Leni pouts. “No.”
“Aww, I’m sorry.”
She waves off my apology. “It’s his loss. Plenty more dicks in the sea.”
A commotion at the front desk drags my gaze up to where my stepbrother and his arrogant jock mateshavewalked in with their gang of groupie skanks flanking them. I scowl as the librarian smiles and shakes her head indulgently at them instead of telling them off. Never mind the fact that everyone in here is trying to study for upcoming exams, those arseholes have free rein of the school and can do whatever they want.
I slam my book shut, pushing my glasses up the bridge of my nose. “Ugh! I came here to get away from the jerk. It’s so nice when he has away games and I get a reprieve from the silent treatment at home. Do you have any idea what it’s like to be treated like an invisible ghost in your own home? I can’t wait to graduate in a couple of months and finally get away from him and his father.”
“Just ignore him, babe,” Leni says, squeezing my arm. “Don’t give him the power.”
Easier said than done.
My infuriatingly good-looking stepbrother has this aura about him that just drags everyone into his orbit, whether they’re willing or not. I can’t control my quickening pulse as his group draws closer, but his eyes don’t even sweep over me when they pass right by the table. Luca doesn’t even pause or look back when his best friend stops and winks at mine.
“Red,” Theo Walters nods his head at Leni. “You ready to let me show you a good time?”
She rolls her eyes. “Dream on, arsehole. I’m not interested in STDs, thank you very much.”
He clutches his chest. “Ouch, you wound me.”
“I’m sure you’ll live.”
“Aww, come on, Leni. We all know how much you gag for cock.”
“Fuck off, Theo,” I snap.
Theo smirks and blows her a kiss before hurrying off to catch up with the rest of my stepbrother’s minions.
“Forget about him,” I tell Leni. “He’s an arsehole.”
She shoots me a fake smile, but I can see the pain in her eyes. “Whatever. This is why I don’t bother slumming it with the stupid, immature Beckford U boys. I need a real man to satisfy me.”
“Like a certain mystery man?” I tease with a small laugh.
“Exactly.” She narrows her eyes at me. “Now, don’t change the subject. Tell me more about this ‘fine’ night you had with the Phantom.”
My face heats, but I don’t call her out for changing the subject. I know how much reminders of Dylan hurt her. “There’s nothing to tell. I don’t think I’m going to see him again.”
Leni’s eyes widen. “Why? What did he do? Are you okay?”
We both knew the dangers of being taken advantage of in a sex club, but we were reassured by the amount of security and the fact that Leni’s cousin owned the club, that we would be safe.
“Nothing,” I say with a sigh, packing my books into my bag. “I think it’s run its course, that’s all.”
She purses her lips. “Are you sure he didn’t?—”
I put my hand up to stop her. “Promise. He did nothing wrong. I just think I need to take a break from the club this month.”
“A break?” She doesn’t look convinced. “Girl, you finally found someone who’s into the same kinkas you and you’re going to take a break? If he hurt you, we can tell Jeremy and get him kicked out.”
I shake my head as I stand and swing my bag over my shoulder. “He didn’t hurt me. Can we please drop it for now?”
“Fine,” Leni says with a huff, following me out of the library. “But you don’t have to decide right now. We still have a week before you need to make any drastic decisions.”
