The red splotches spread down her neck, and I know I’ve hit the nail on the head despite the shake of her head. She tries to deflect. “Have you heard from your mystery man?”
Her question sends me into a funk. “No.”
“Aw, I’m sorry.”
“It’s his loss. Plenty more dicks in the sea.” I’m thankful my voice remains light, despite the disappointment flooding my veins. I was really hoping he’d message me this weekend, but our Euphoria chat remains silent.
Willow scowls, and I’m about to tell her it’s not that bad when I follow her gaze to the front desk where her super-hot stepbrother has just entered with Theo, a couple of their teammates, and a group of Banshees. My best friend slams her book shut and pushes her glasses up her nose with a huff.
“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 a 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,” I say, wanting to tell her I know exactly what it feels like, but not wanting to give herinsight into just how bad things are at home. “Don’t give him the power.”
Luca’s ex-girlfriend gave her hell back in high school, and he did nothing to stop it. He doesn’t even glance our way as he passes, like we’re completely invisible. Arrogance at its finest.
Unfortunately, we’re not so lucky when Theo pauses. Revulsion ripples through me when he runs his sleazy gaze over my body.
“Red,” he says with a wink and a slimy smirk. “You ready to let me show you a good time?”
I roll my eyes, swallowing down my discomfort. “Dream on, arsehole. I’m not interested in STDs, thank you very much.”
He clutches his chest. “Ouch, you wound me.”
I shoot him a withering glare. “I’m sure you’ll live.”
“Aw, come on, Leni. We all know how much you gag for cock.” He mimes a blow job, and while I would usually just brush off his immature barbs, seeing him with Dylan the other day only makes the action sting more.
“Fuck off, Theo,” Willow snaps, surprising me. She usually avoids confrontation at all costs.
Theo isn’t fazed, though. He just smirks and blows me a kiss before hurrying off to catch up with Luca.
“Forget about him,” she says softly, her blue eyes full of pity. “He’s an arsehole.”
I force a smile, even though I know it won’t fool her. She knows how I feel about interacting with any of Dylan’s old friends. It’s why I avoid her house as much as possible. “Whatever. This is why I don’t bother slumming it with thestupid, immature Beckford U boys. I need a real man to satisfy me.”
“Like a certain mystery man?” she teases with a small laugh.
“Exactly.” I narrow my eyes at her. “Now, don’t change the subject. Tell me more about this ‘fine’ night you had with the Phantom.”
Thankfully, she doesn’t callmeout for changing the subject. “There’s nothing to tell. I don’t think I’m going to see him again.”
My eyes widen in concern. “Why? What did he do? Are you okay?”
Jeremy’s protection doesn’t only extend to me. He and Diego know to keep an eye on Willow as well. I would never forgive myself if anything happened to her.
“Nothing,” she says with a sigh, packing her books into her bag. “I think it’s run its course, that’s all.”
I purse my lips. “Are you sure he didn’t?—”
She puts her hand up to stop me. “Promise. He did nothing wrong. I just think I need to take a break from the club this month.”
“A break?” I shoot her a baffled look. “Girl, you finally found someone who’s into the same kink as you and you’re going to take a break? If he hurt you, we can tell Jeremy and get him kicked out.”
She shakes her head as she stands and swings her bag over her shoulder. “He didn’t hurt me. Can we please drop it for now?”
“Fine,” I say following her 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.”
“Do you want to come over?” she asks, glancing through the library window where we can see her stepbrother and his friends sitting around one of the study tables. “Luca has training this afternoon, so he won’t be home for a couple of hours. We can binge Milo ice cream and true crime docos.”
