Page 24 of Filthy Elites

“Yes, but why Triton Cove? There are more exciting cities in the world,” Sage chimes in.

Reid, a boy with the shaggy blond hair I met tonight, frowns. “Triton Cove isn’t that bad. Look at all the tourists we get every year.”

“Ignore Reid. He’s a die-hard fan of his hometown,” Cameron interjects.

“I think it’s lovely,” I say, hoping we can stay on this topic and not my backstory.

Wishful thinking.

“Let’s not change the subject,” Finn interrupts. “I want to know why Jason is bent out of shape because of you.”

“You’ll have to ask him that,” I retort. “Can we please talk about something else? I’m boring, folks. Trust me. Nothing exciting happens in my life. Well, until I met Jason.”

Reid chuckles. “Yeah, welcome to Triton Cove.”

Cameron’s attention switches to a spot behind me. “Hey, isn’t that Emily Frost? I haven’t seen her in school yet.”

Luke is now looking in her direction as well. I’m curious, so I turn. A pale girl with white-blonde hair secured in a severe ponytail is at the cashier, paying for a takeout order. She stands out. Her clothes are too mature for someone her age.

“Who is she?” I ask.

“Some weird chick who goes to Maverick,” Luke replies through a scowl.

“Luke and Emily have a feud going on. It started in kindergarten,” Sage tells me in a conspiratorial way.

He throws a fry at her. “We don’t have a feud going on. I just don’t like Bible thumpers, that’s all.”

“She’s not a Bible thumper,” Sage retorts.

“She goes to church every Sunday, and she wears those grandma clothes. Do I need to say more?”

“You’re so judgmental, bro. Don’t you know girls who are super repressed are the best in bed?” Cameron pipes up.

“Dude! My sister is right here,” Luke complains.

Sage glowers. “What? You don’t think I can handle talking about sex?”

“You shouldn’t be talking or thinking about it. You’re sixteen, for fuck’s sake.”

“You’re such a hypocrite, Luke. You’re only one year older than me.”

He opens his mouth to reply, but I cut him off. “If you say it’s different because you’re a guy, I’ll seriously kick you under the table.”

“Ohhh,” Reid and Cameron say in a teasing tone.

Finn shakes his head, and mumbles, “Oh God. Here we go again…”

I’m not sure why I’m getting such opposite reactions from Luke’s friends.

He’s staring at me with his mouth agape, but then he throws his head back and laughs. “Jason is so fucked.”

* * *

Maybe I gainedbrownie points with Luke after I told him what I’d do to him. All I know is that his attitude changed by the time he drove us back to Maverick Prep. He was way more relaxed, and even cracked jokes.

“See you later, Nicola. Try to not rip Jason’s nutsack off. He’s a good guy, even if he doesn’t act like one.” He smirks.

What an odd thing to say, but I reply, “I can’t make any promises. Thank you for the ride. And Sage, I’ll pay you back tomorrow, okay?”

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