He kissed me in the hallway though. He isn’t treating me like a dirty little secret. Then again, he’s never kept any of his relationships secret, if you can even call them that.
We’re in this weird going-with-the-flow stage and I’m not sure how to feel about that.
The bell rings. I release my hydrokinesis and I rush to shove my books in my bag as I haul ass toward the cafeteria. We need to talk. I don’t like the uncertainty of what is happening, and I’m cognizant enough to know by not talking I’m setting myself up for heartache. I’m already developing feelings for Jordy, and I don’t want to get hurt. I don’t want to start something with a guy who only sees me as a passing fling.
I run into Desmond halfway there and am relieved to see a smiling César in his arms.
“How was he?” I ask, reaching for my boy.
He grunts, but there is affection in his voice. “A terror.”
“What did he do?”
The corners of his mouth curl into a smile. “Crawled down almost every row in the library and yanked every book he could reach onto the floor.” He pats César on the head. “Our librarian might not be his biggest fan, but we cleaned up the mess and it kept him entertained.”
“Did he eat anything?” I ask, hoping he drank the bottle I pumped for him earlier. I don’t remember if I gave Desmond specific instructions on that.
He nods. “Downed the entire thing and I changed his diaper. You’re welcome.”
“Thank you!” I tell him and I mean it. We fall into step beside one another, heading toward the cafeteria, when Jordy comes into view, a pretty blond standing close beside him. I give her a closer look and realize it’s Kaitlyn, the girl who sits behind me in second period.
My steps falter. They’re right beside the cafeteria doors, so I’ll have to pass them if I want to go inside. I hesitate, assuming he’ll dismiss her after a moment, only he doesn’t. He laughs at something she says, and she twirls a piece of her hair, a come-hither expression on her face.
Desmond see’s what I’m looking at and his brows pull forward. “I thought he was—” He shakes his head. “Stupid wolf,” he grumbles. “Come on.”
My heart plummets to the bottom of my stomach. Is she…are they…no. I’m getting ahead of myself. For all I know, she’s just asking for his notes or something from class. It’s harmless flirting. Right?
I force myself to move forward and follow Desmond when I see her press her hand against his chest and lean up on tiptoe to plant a chaste kiss on his cheek. He shakes his head and says something to her I can’t hear before turning around and going through the open double doors, leaving her behind, but still not noticing me.
I swallow hard.
It’s nothing, I tell myself.
When I get to the table, everyone is already there. Rafael, Isa, Zheng, Meiying, and Desmond.
“Hey, momma,” Jordy says, a wide smile on his face as he shifts to the side and makes more room for me. I accept the seat and he plucks César from my arms, handing him a french fry off his tray. “How was your time with Uncle Des?” Jordy asks him, to which César gurgles and grins. “That good?” He turns to Rafael. “Looks like you’ve got your work cut out for you,” he tells him.
Rafael rolls his eyes, but it’s Zheng who surprises us when he holds his arms out and César immediately reaches for him. “Hey, what’s this?” Jordy says in mock offense. César grips Zheng’s cheeks and gives him an open-mouthed kiss as he all but tries to eat his nose.
“Who were you saying was his favorite?” Zheng asks, and all three of us girls laugh at the boys’ stunned expressions.
“He was over for girls' night,” I remind everyone and then wince. “Sorry.”
“Don’t be,” Isa says, nudging my foot with her own under the table. “Girls' night was good. Besides, I needed the closure, you know?”
I nod, still unconvinced, but I don’t want to dig into the topic either.
My phone buzzes in my pocket and I pull it out to see a text flash across the screen.
Jae:I just heard from your mom. She’s invited the Seethe over to your place tonight. They have her convinced they’ll get Diego released but it’s just a ploy to garner an invitation into your house.
I gasp.She wouldn't—would she?
“What is it?” Jordy asks. I turn wide eyes toward him, not wanting to say anything, but everyone’s eyes are on me, waiting.
“My mom is just being an idiot where the vampires are concerned. It’s nothing.”
Isa visibly swallows and nods. Rafael tucks her into his side, his jaw tight and his hand fisted on the table.
