Page 28 of Filthy Elites

I repeat the rehearsed story, but Justice keeps looking at this phone. I could have told him the truth and he wouldn't have batted an eyelash.

“Are you from Triton Cove?” I ask to get the ball into his court.

“No, I moved here when I was twelve.”

“How did you end up at Maverick Prep?”

“I got a basketball scholarship. I wouldn’t be able to afford the tuition otherwise.”

I raise my brows. “That’s cool.”

Alexis returns with our food, and I’m glad for the interruption. The sooner we eat, the sooner this strange hangout can end.

I get distracted by the food and manage to ignore my companion while I eat.

He laughs. “Wow.”

I lift my face. “What?”

“I’ve never seen a girl destroy a Dennis Super Charged Dog that fast.”

I shrug. “I’m motivated when I’m hungry.”

He lifts his hand, and before I can react, he wipes the corner of my mouth with his thumb. My spine becomes rigid in an instant.Boundaries, dude.

“You had mustard on your face,” he says.

I reach for a napkin and wipe my mouth before he finds another smear that he feels he needs to clean with his fingers.

“Justice?” a familiar voice calls him.

His eyes widen in a guilty way. “Hey, Sage. How is it going?”

Shit. Did she see her crush getting frisky with me? I turn with a smile ready, but seeing her cold expression answers the question for me. She did see Justice touch my face.

“Hi, Sage,” I say.

“Hi.” Her tone is cold, matching her hard stare.

Without another word, she pivots and walks out. Justice scrambles to his feet and rushes after her.Damn it.There’s something going on between them, and now that I’ve hung out with the guy, I agree with Luke. He’s bad news.

I stare at my half-eaten hot dog, knowing I won’t finish it. I lost my appetite.

“Did Justice just ditch you?” Alexis asks.

I didn’t even notice her approach. “Uh, this wasn’t a date. We bumped into each other and realized we were both coming here for lunch.”

Her eyebrows arch. “Oh. Well, you looked pretty chummy for a moment.” She shakes her head. “I’m sorry. It’s none of my business.”

“You don’t like him very much, do you?”

“Nope. I’d be careful if I were you.”

It’s not me I’m worried about. I look out the window, but I don’t see Justice or Sage anywhere. “Thanks for the heads up. Can I have the bill, please?”

She flicks her gaze to Justice’s unfinished burger. “Are you covering his share too?”

“Yeah, might as well. If he comes back, tell him he’s all set.”

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