Could you be outed if it was just a one-off? I had no idea. Honestly, questioning my sexuality wasn’t something I’d had on my agenda for…well, ever. One ridiculous situation later, and suddenly I wasn’t certain about anything.
Heavy hands suddenly fell on my shoulders and squeezed, making me jump in my seat.“There you are, Shadow. I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
My spine stiffened as heat rushed through me. I tried to shrug his touch off, but he held firm. Twisting in my seat, I glared up at him. “Get your hands off me.”
He smirked and lowered his head. His hot breath brushed over the inner shell of my ear. I had to clamp my teeth down on my lip to hold back my shiver. “That’s not what you said the other night.”
“Fuck off,” I snarled, shoving his hands off me, one after the other. “That’s not what happened and we both know it.”
Dominic’s low chuckle was cut off by someone clearing their throat. We both turned to see the librarian frowning at us, arms crossed over her chest. “This is a library. Either be quiet or take your horseplay elsewhere.”
“Sorry,” I muttered, feeling myself blushing. I sank down in my chair automatically. “Dominic’s just leaving.”
“Actually, we’rebothleaving,” Dominic said, bending down to grab my bag. He tossed it over one shoulder and raised a brow at me expectantly. “Isn’t that right, Ry?”
I glared at him, a muscle jumping in my jaw. But with the librarian staring at us both, there was little else I could do.
I got up and walked out after him.
“What are you playing at?” I snapped as we stepped out into the sunshine. “I don’t want or need your company, Dominic.”
“Again, not what you said the other night.”
My cheeks burned but I refused to lower my gaze. “I said nothing of the sort.”
He hummed. “Maybe not explicitly, but you bartered for my protection, remember? I’m just following through on my end of the bargain.”
I almost tripped over my own feet. In truth, I had forgotten. Or, at least, it seemed unimportant given what had followed. “How is dragging me out of the library giving me protection?”
He rolled his eyes. “Aren’t you supposed to be the smart one?”
I debated punching his annoying face. Maybe that would make me feel better. “Meaning what?”
“Meaning you should understand that being seen with me is the easiest way to get people to leave you alone. Can’t do that if you spend all your free time in the library, Shadow.”
I grunted, more out of annoyance than agreement. The day I agreed with Dominic Walker was the day hell froze over. “I have exams next month. I have to revise.”
“Didn’t look much like you were revising to me.”
“How would you know?” I bit back. “I’ve literally never seen you open a textbook. How you passed your GCSEs is beyond me.”
“Natural gifts.”
I snorted. “That won’t work for your A-levels.”
Dominic shrugged. “Good grades aren’t important for my future.”
Now I was the one rolling my eyes. “Good grades are important for any future.”
“Not mine.”
“Why d’you even come here if you believe that?”
“Because Max is here.” He shot me a look that suggested I was being stupid again. To be fair, I should’ve expected that answer.
Didn’t mean I had to like it though.
Dominic’s pace increased as we neared the drama building. My stomach sank as I realised where he was taking me. The smoking area was behind here. It was where the popular crowd hung out.
