Page 61 of Rebel

“I love you, Rebel,” I murmured between kisses. Wrapping my arms around him, I pulled him down on the grass with me.

We stayed there for a long time, holding one another. A flurry of endless kisses that only ended when two people visiting the cemetery came across us. Then we ran hand-in-hand back to the street, laughing at having been caught making out in the cemetery. Thank goodness that’s all we’d been doing.

By the time we returned home, I felt lighter. Happier and more free. This had been a sad day, yet it had also birthed something new and special. For the first time in a long time, I felt excited for the future, and even more importantly, for the present.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

STORM

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you smile like that.” Athena turned to Rebel and added, “Whatever you’re doing, keep it up. I like this version of Storm. So happy and carefree.”

Rebel smirked. “Oh, I definitely plan to keep it up. It’s almost impossible not to with this girl around.”

Sliding his hand beneath my shirt, he playfully tickled my side, making me squirm. Heat rushed to my face. “Oh my God, don’t talk like that in front of my friends.”

“It’s all good,” Codie said. “We’re all adults here. At least, most of us are.”

She shot a side eye toward Stray who tossed a meatball from his plate in the air before catching it in his mouth. Having Rebel and his friends join me and my girls for lunch felt new and weird. He’d barely given me the time of day at school before. Now he was with me every spare moment.

Stray glanced up to find Codie silently judging him. He cracked a smile. “I have mad skills, babe. There’s more where that came from. Don’t pretend you don’t love it.”

With his jet black hair and sparkling blue eyes, Stray was good looking, and he knew it. He knew how to make the girls swoon. So when Codie didn’t fall into his lap like a smitten kitten, he frowned. I guess he would have his work cut out for him.

“Anyway,” Codie continued, changing the subject. “There’s a killer rave this weekend. Who’s coming with me?”

Luna perked up right away. “That sounds like fun. I’m game.”

“Is that the one in the warehouse district?” Auryn asked. “Be careful. Venom runs those raves.”

Almost as if his words had summoned them, the three remaining Venom guys appeared. They walked between the tables scattered about outside, passing dangerously close to our table. Damon shot a furious glare in our direction. Nobody said a word as a deadly stare down ensued.

Next to me, Rebel stiffened. I placed a hand on his thigh, silently willing him to remain calm. There was nothing anyone could do now anyway. We were on campus. No doubt Venom knew who was really behind River’s death. They’d recently lost their leader and their friend. Understandably, they would want revenge.

This was a discussion Rebel and I had had many times in the weeks since River’s passing. I worried that the war between the two groups had only just begun. He assured me repeatedly that I had nothing to worry about. That Venom was no concern of his, and it shouldn’t be mine either. Judging by the look on Damon Price’s face, I wasn’t so sure about that.

“That was awkward,” Athena said softly when Venom was out of earshot. “Anybody else get the feeling that they blame you guys for what happened to River? Kind of wild considering he murdered Storm’s brother.”

My friends may have had their suspicions but I hadn’t told them a damn thing about what really happened to River that night. Rumors circulated around campus. Several people believed the Kings were behind his death. They were right. Although nobody was going to confirm that.

“Let’s not talk about that. I’m sure Storm doesn’t need to constantly relive the past.” Codie carefully steered the conversation back to the upcoming party weekend. “I’m not scared of Venom. I’m going to get my rave on this weekend. I need to unwind after the week I’ve had.”

“Maybe I’ll stop by and check it out,” Stray said, openly ogling Codie as he twirled pasta on his fork. “I’m sure it will be a blast if you’re going to be there.”

A hint of a smile curved her lips. “You just love to hear yourself talk, don’t you? Forgive me if I don’t fall all over you like one of your many fangirls.”

Stray winked and popped the bite of pasta into his mouth. “You’re forgiven. You’ll come around. They always do.”

“Don’t bet on it.” Despite Codie’s eye roll, her cheeks pinkened slightly.

Ripley stood up, gathering the tray that held her soup and sandwich garbage. “As much as I would love to stay and watch the two of you awkwardly flirt, I have a class to get to. Big exam today. I’ll catch you ladies later.”

“I’ll come with you.” Codie shot to her feet, fumbling her phone in her haste to get away. “I need to hit the library before my next class.”

“Sure you do,” Stray murmured more to himself than to anyone else. His eyes followed her as he watched her stroll away with Ripley.

I wasn’t sure if a known player like him could handle a woman like Codie. She didn’t have a high opinion of most men, and she sure as hell wouldn’t settle for being another notch on his belt. I didn’t know her all that well yet, but I had learned enough about her to know that she was a ball buster when she needed to be. Stray didn’t know what he was getting himself into if he pursued her.

The conversation at the table returned to the exam schedule most of us had coming. Summer was right around the corner. Classes were wrapping up. Summer vacation couldn’t come fast enough for me. I looked forward to days at the beach. Maybe a small trip would be nice. I could use a getaway.

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