I can’t help it. I smirk.
“One day you’re gonna have to be nice to people.”
He looks down at me. “Why the hell would I do that when being an asshole works so much better? Besides, I’m plenty nice. To you. Everyone else can go fuck themselves.”
“How romantic.”
“You love it.” He dips his head and kisses my temple. “Admit it, Bells. You get off on the fact that I’m a possessive a-hole who doesn’t let anyone disrespect what’s mine.”
“I’m not admitting anything.”
“You don’t have to. Your pussy already told me everything this morning that I need to know.”
“Oh, my God.” I shove at his chest, but he laughs. “You can’t say things like that in public.”
“Watch me.”
We push open the doors to the hallway, and everything shifts at once. The noise doesn’t stop exactly but changes. Conversations pause mid-sentence, heads turn, eyes lock onto us. Or more specifically, onto Jace’s arm draped possessively around my shoulders.
This isn’t new for him. People have always stared at Jace Cooper. He’s hot in that dangerous, untouchable way that makes girls stare and guys either want to be him or fight him. But they’ve never seen him walk through these halls with a girl tucked against his side. Never seen him stake a claim like this before.
We walk down the hallway, and the weight of every stare bears down on us. I can almost hear their thoughts racing, the questions forming, and the gossip already starting to spread through the school. By lunch, this will be all anyone is talking about.
Up ahead, I see Sam and Aubrey standing at Sam’s locker. They’re laughing about something until Aubrey glances up and spots us. Her eyes widen and her mouth drops open in shock. She smacks Sam’s arm, and Sam’s head spins around so quickly I’m surprised she doesn’t give herself whiplash.
They both stand there, frozen, as we approach.
My steps stumble for a second, my confidence flickers, and Jace senses it immediately. His arm tightens around me, pulling me closer.
“Don’t,” he murmurs, his voice low enough that only I can hear. “Don’t you dare slow down now, Bells. Keep walking.”
I swallow hard and force myself to keep moving.
As we approach, I notice Noah and Reece are there also. Noah has his arms crossed over his chest and Reece looks just as equally unimpressed. They’re both glaring at Jace with identical expressions.
Oh God, this is about to get ugly.
We stop in front of the four of them and the hallway around us seems to slow down. People are pretending to go to their lockers, pretending to check their phones, but really they’re all just waiting to see what happens.
Aubrey opens her mouth, likely to demand an explanation or yell at me, or both, but Jace cuts her off before she can say a word.
“I know what you’re all thinking,” he says. “That I’m going to hurt her. So let’s get that shit out of the way right now.”
“You’re damn right that’s what we’re thinking,” Noah snaps, taking a step forward. Reece puts a hand on his shoulder to stop him.
“Good. We’re on the same page.” Jace’s mouth curves into something that’s not quite a smile. “Yeah, I’ve got a reputation. And no, I don’t give a single fuck what any of you think about it.”
“Oh, that’s convenient,” Sam says, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “You suddenly decide to be a saint the second you get with Lola? Forgive us if we don’t buy it.”
“I’m not asking you to buy anything,” Jace says flatly. “I’m telling you how it is. I’m not hiding that I’m with Bells, and I’m not apologizing for it, and I sure as shit don’t need your fucking permission.”
“Lola is our best friend.” Aubrey’s voice rises, causing several people in the hallway to turn and stare. “We have every right to be concerned when she shows up with someone who has a different girl every week.”
“Okay, stop,” I say, my voice cutting through the tension. All eyes turn to me. “Can we not do this here in front of the whole school?”
“Then, when, Lola?” Aubrey asks, her eyes searching mine. “You walk in here with his arm around you, practically telling everyone before you tell us?”
“I’m telling you now,” I say, lifting my chin. “Jace and I are together. That’s what I’m telling you.”
