Page 77 of Habits

Lucas, one of the guys on the team, tries to look over my shoulder, but I lock the screen swiftly, putting the phone back into my pocket. I pick a fry off my tray and pop it into my mouth.

It’s lunchtime, and we’re all sitting together in the cafeteria. Derek and Lia are doing their lovey-dovey thing while the rest of us sit and talk hockey, at least the male part of the group. Winter holidays start this weekend, so there are no games until school starts back in January. But the coach still wants us to come to practice every day, which is more than fine by me. It’s not like I have anything better to do anyway.

“Yeah, who’re you texting?” Max asks, his eyes holding mine for a while before he looks pointedly at his sister sitting on the other side of our table.

He’s been doing it a lot since the charity ball. After Jeanette and I got back inside, we were both swept away in different directions, but I could feel Max’s probing eyes on the back of my head for the rest of the evening. He knew something was up. We were together outside and he saw us walk back inside together. Only an idiot would let it slide.

“Just some chick.”

Now that Max’s attention is back on me, I can feel her piercing gaze staring daggers into my skull. I know I’ll pay for this one later, but it’s that or let them know the truth. I’m not sure what exactly the truth is, but things have been different since the party last weekend.

“You hooking up with that cheerleader chick again?”

“Nope, definitely not the cheerleader.”

“Dude.” Derek lifts his gaze from Lia’s neck for a second. “Like he’d do the same girl twice. That would practically mean he’s engaged to her!”

I open my mouth to say something, but the scraping of a chair against the floor makes us all lift our heads.

“Already done?” Max asks, looking at Jeanette’s half-eaten lunch.

“Yeah, I have some studying to do before my math exam. I’ll see you later.”

Max opens his mouth to say something, but Jeanette is already gone. His gaze follows her for a while and I think I can see worry written on his face, but even if that’s the case, it’s gone in the blink of an eye.

The guys return back to talking hockey, my marital status thankfully forgotten. I join in when needed, but my thoughts are elsewhere.

A few minutes later, my phone buzzes in my pants. I check it under the table so these nosy assholes can’t see it. Quickly reading the message, I put the phone away and get on my feet.

“If you’ll excuse me.” I pick up my tray and grab my shit off the floor.

“He’s going to get some,” Derek teases.

“Maybe he’ll stop being such a pain in the ass,” somebody else adds, and all the assholes around him burst into laughter.

Chuckling, I give all of them the finger and walk away. Let them think what they want to think.

* * *

Jeanette

I’m leaning against the wall, looking at my nails. The black color is chipped at the tips, and I make a mental note to take it off later tonight. With the holidays just around the corner, I suppose I should look presentable. Sighing, I let my hands fall by my sides.

Just then the door opens and a person enters the room, closing it quietly behind him.

Spinning around quickly, my hands wrap around his wrists, pinning him to the smooth surface.

A cunning smirk curls his lips. “Would it be weird if I said that this just made my dick twitch?”

I roll my eyes. “Everything is always about your dick.”

Andrew leans forward but doesn’t even try to break free. His lower half brushes against mine. “He’s just trying to salute you. Nothing wrong with being polite.”

“Why are we talking about your dick in the third person?”

“Don’t be like that, Princess.” He leans forward, whispering, “You’re going to scare him away.”

Andrew tries to kiss me, but I shove him back. “You’re incorrigible.”

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