Quickly, I toe off my shoes again, hop back in, grab it, then climb out, angrily shoving my feet back in them and snatching up my coat.
“Is that how you got so good? Swimming in your clothes?” a guy calls out, giving me an eager look like he’s considering trying it himself.
I had already forgotten they were here, but the three of them just stand there and stare at me.
I turn and walk toward the door, not sparing them another glance.
Reverie knows running from me is useless, but I don’t mind following the music. I’m not even fucking close to being finished playing with her.
CHAPTER 10
REVERIE
Sable: Are you texting me from the bottom of the pool?
Iroll my eyes. She’s such a smart-ass.
Me: I got a new phone this morning, dick.
This is what happens when I tell Sable all about a stupid mistake that led to my phone shipwrecked somewhere at the bottom of a pool—at least, I think it is. It sure as hell wasn’t in my jacket pocket after I scampered out of it like a drowned fucking rat two days ago.
I chew on my thumbnail, struggling to concentrate on the lecture as my forensic science professor, Dr. Camry, drones on.
Anxiety has curled up like a stray cat and nestled in the black pit in my stomach since I woke up this morning and realized it’sFebruary 5th.
Unbeknownst to Dread and the rest of the world, the Locksmith is being released from prison today.
And the only thing keeping me somewhat distracted from that very daunting fact is the memory of Dread’s tongue shoved down my throat, which is only a hairsbreadth less vomit-inducing to think about.
Sable: Still not too late to get that restraining order.
She already knows I won’t, though.
I tossed around the idea for a long time, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it, especially because there’s a sense of responsibility for the way Dread’s life turned out. If I were to go through with it, it would only destroy it further.
The moment the media would find out I have a restraining order against Dreadful Sharpe, they’d eat him alive. He would lose brand deals and endorsements, and even if they allowed him to participate in the next Olympics, his sins would overshadow his victories.
As much as I loathe his existence, he’s already lost so much because of my family, and I can’t bring myself to take yet another precious thing from him, even if the asshole deserves it.
I’m too goddamn nice.
Me: He’d just think I was flirting with him.
A sickening feeling twists my gut. I gave him a lot more of a reason to think I was flirting than a restraining order would.
Which is exactly why I’ve gone out of my way to avoid him since. I even skipped ancient history yesterday so I didn’t have to see him.
So, I’m hiding from him.
Again.
The first time, I was reeling from learning about Roxi and truly did not have the mental capacity to deal with Dread.
This time… I still don’t. But now, it’s because the only thing I can focus on is how his body felt against mine with his dick grinding between my legs, his tongue shoved down my throat. And fucking hell, the sounds he made echo in my head like ghostly screams in a haunted house.
Why my stupid-ass brain decided making out with him was even remotely acceptable, I’ll never know. But what Idoknow is that I’m a fucking dumbass for allowing it to happen. Not only that, but I feel like I completely betrayed myself.
He's been tormenting me for years, and kissing me is the absolute lowest he's ever gone. He doesn't get to treat me like absolute shit and then shove his tongue down my throat the second he gets a fucking tickle in his pickle.
