I hadn’t bothered checking my timetable this morning, but I guess we have Renaissance Literature first thing. ‘Do you have a costume for Lucifer’s Dream yet?’ I ask.
Monique scrunches her face. ‘Babe, it’s like you don’t know me at all. The carnival only happens once a year.’
She looks up. Her eyes widen and she grips my wrist tight.
‘Girl,’ she excitedly whispers, ‘don’t make it obvious, but Ryker is behind you.’
I look back to where Ryker is leaning against the wall, his eyes on me and an easy smile on his face.
‘Yeah.’ I shrug, looking back to her. ‘He waited for me at the entrance this morning. What’s the big deal?’
She playfully rolls her eyes. ‘Sometimes I forget you’re constantly surrounded by the hottest guys on campus. What does he want?’
‘Nothing, we just walked in together. He’s probably waiting for Jace and the others. Anyway.’ I shake my head, trying to get back on track. ‘Costumes. You have one already?’
‘Of course I do.’ She finishes with a flip of her hair, which is perfectly styled with a giant royal-blue bow that matches her skirt. ‘But I’ve got you covered too, girl.’
My face lights up and a weight is lifted from my shoulders. There’s not a chance I’d find a costume in time, and although we don’t need to dress up for the carnival, it’s been a tradition for us ever since third grade.
‘I can’t wait to see what haunted houses they have this year,’ she says, linking her arm with mine. ‘Wait, Ryker’s still following us. Are you sure you don’t want to walk with him?’
I flick a glance back at him. Students buzz around us, making their way to their classes. I adjust the bag straps on my shoulders as we round the corner on the second level of the building. I start to spin around, about to ask Ryker what class he has first, but I’m stopped short when I run into a wall and my sketchbook falls to the floor.
Only it isn’t a wall; it’s Hayley Rourke.
She sneers as I reach down to collect my things. She’s a senior like Jace and used to be his high school sweetheart. Now she has a vendetta against me because, according to her version of events, I’m the sister of the guy who broke her heart all those years ago. Jace and I know the real story: that he broke up with her because she cheated on him while on a cruise in Fiji. Jace kept it under wraps because he didn’t want his friends to turn against her. It’s not my business, so I’ve kept it a secret too.
Is this my karma for being nice?
She snatches up my art book, giving me a nasty look while pink gum snaps between her lips. I reach out, but she jerks her hand back and gives a wide smile that doesn’t reach her grey eyes.
Something must be in the water today. First those ECU guys hurting the dog, and now Hayley frickin’ Rourke.
‘Don’t be a jerk, Hayley!’ Monique scowls.
Hayley laughs, running a hand through her hair, snagging at the ends as it gets caught in a tangle. Then she flicks through the pages. ‘This looks like it belongs in the trash. Ever since your dad died, you’ve gotten extra fucked up.’
‘Give it back or I’ll kick your ass.’ Monique points a finger into her chest. ‘Oh, wait. You don’t have one.’
My eyes widen in panic. Monique’s never been in a fight before. Neither have I. We wouldn’t know the first thing about how to throw a punch. Not to mention the fact that Hayley’s the best base and tumbler of the Kings cheer squad; they’re so good they go to those big competitions and always bring home a trophy. She’s tall too, like model tall, and her biceps are on perfect display in her sleeveless crop.
‘What did you say to me? You little bitch—’
A large hand appears from behind and lifts the book out of Hayley’s grasp.
The energy shifts. Ryker’s brows furrow as he flicks through my sketches before locking eyes with me. My next breath stalls. His piercing turquoise eyes sparkle with their usual hint of mischief, snatching air right from my lungs. If his gaze isn’t enough to make the space sizzle between us, the rest of him will.
Behind him, the Kingsmen are coming down the hall. Or two of them, anyway. My brother is nowhere to be seen, but Tyler flanks Ryker’s right with his ice skates flung overhis shoulder. He’s the only one of them not on the basketball team. Renny takes Ryker’s left, spinning a basketball on his index finger.
‘Oh.’ Hayley bats her eyelashes. ‘Hey, Ryker.’
‘This yours?’ His eyes break away from me to look down at her, my book held in his palm. Ryker’s hands are perfect, with long fingers and veins that snake over the back of them to travel along his forearms and biceps. I look away, feeling the early stages of a flush of heat in my cheeks.
Ryker is still holding my book in said sexy hand, lines appearing between his brows.
‘God no.’ Hayley winces. ‘I’d never create such demented things.’
Demented, huh?
