I stared at the evidence covering my abdomen. The evidence that maybe I wasn’t as straight as I’d always believed.
My hands shook as I cleaned myself up. It didn’t matter. If I was attracted to men then that was okay.
It was being attracted to Dominic that I had a problem with.
“We talked about this, Shadow.”
I pointedly turned the page in my book, ignoring him completely. Just as I was ignoring the revelation I’d had last night.
Yes, I was in the library again. Like fuck was I going to do what Dominic told me to. I was sick and tired of being the ‘good boy.’ Of always doing the right thing. Of keeping my head down and trying to keep the river running smooth.
Fuck that—at least where Dominic was concerned. I was throwing a motherfucking boulder into his river and letting nature take its course around it, but I should’ve known Dominicwould simply haul it out. There was no stopping him once he got an idea in his head.
Still, that didn’t mean I wasn’t going to try. Thoughts of another lunch hour spent with Max and his sarcastic quips were enough to have me hooking my feet around the legs of my chair. “Fuck off, Dominic.”
He sighed. “Do we really need to go through this again? I thought you were smarter than this, Ry.”
I twisted in my chair to glare up at him. He was in a tight white T-shirt today, his leather jacket slung over one shoulder. My pulse picked up from anger. That was the only reason. “Spending my lunch in the library rather than filling my lungs with poison definitely seems like the smarter option,Dom.”
If I’d hoped to piss him off by shortening his name the way he did mine then I’d failed. An amused smile tipped up his lips. “Not when you’re trying not to get the shit kicked out of you.”
I was on my feet and shoving my chest against his in an instant. “Is that a threat?”
Somewhere, in the dark corners of my mind, a small voice pointed out this wasn’t a good idea. Dominic could probably flick me on the forehead and I’d collapse.
I couldn’t help myself. Something about him just…made my control snap.
Dominic’s dark chuckle rumbled over me. “No, it’s a reminder. You’re not in danger from me, Shadow. Everyone else though? They still see you as fair game.”
He lowered his head, his mouth hovering inches from my ear. “Especially when you’re stupid enough to square up to the likes of me. Talk about issuing a fucking challenge.”
Shit.I hadn’t thought of it like that. He was right. If people thought I had the balls to take on Dominic, it’d open the floodgates of others wanting to challengeme.
“Come on.” Dominic nodded at something behind me. “Let’s go before you get us both in trouble.”
I glanced over my shoulder to see the librarian glaring at us from her desk. Judging from the tight purse of her lips, she was ten seconds away from kicking us out.
Again.
“Whatever,” I muttered, grabbing my bag. I didn’t wait for Dominic. Nor did I look at him as I stalked to the smoking area. I had no interest in anything he had to say. Not when it just caused more fucking confusion for me. At this rate, I’d be lucky to get a full night of sleep before July.
At least after the summer, I’d be free of him. Dominic. Max. The bullies. Even the fucking loneliness.
It’d all be gone and I’d finally be happy.
Max gave me a predictable glare as I approached. His gaze immediately went behind me to where I knew Dominic was. “Really? Again?”
The awkward silence from yesterday returned, but it didn’t last. Not with how Dominic levelly met my twin’s stare before hopping up beside him. “Yep. Ryan’s going to join us for every lunch from now on. Isn’t that right, Shadow?”
His words were a clear challenge. From how he smirked, I knew he wanted me to argue. Just as much as he knew I wouldn’t.
I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. Not in front of Max.
And that right there was how Dominic always won.
Because, apparently, I was all too willing to let him.
Fuck, how I hated that.
