Page 23 of Beautiful Scars

"Okay then, since you put it that way."

"You won't regret it. I promise."

Her smile beams. Sliding out of the truck I walk around to open her door, my eyes sweeping the parking lot. Old habits die hard. The whispers have quieted down for the most part, but there’s always someone watching. I feel like they're just waiting for me to slip up and leave an opening. Zack’s good at playing people off each other. He managed to turn half the team against me by the end of the first week of classes. He’s got fewer followers now, but the ones he has left are loyal.

Sunny hops out of the truck, slipping her hand into mine. Our fingers lace together effortlessly. A perfect fit. As we start toward the school, I lean down to kiss the top of her head, breathing her in. She smells like warm sunshine and vanilla. The tension in my shoulders eases slightly.

We're halfway down the hall, when I see him. Zack’s leaning against the lockers, laughing with a couple of his buddies from the team. His eyes flick to Sunny, sliding over her like she’s his, and my calm dissolves in an instant. He doesn’t even have to say anything. The look on his face is enough.

Not yet. But soon.

I feel Sunny stiffen beside me, but she keeps walking, head high, shoulders back. She’s so much stronger than she gives herself credit for. I wish she could see what I see when I look at her. I let go of her hand and wrap my arm around her instead, pulling her to my side.

It’s for her, I tell myself. A reminder that I have her and won't let anything bad happen to her. But the truth is, it’s selfish. It's all for me. To keep myself in check. To keep from going over to Zack and ripping the smug grin off his face, right here in front of everyone.

I pause, locking eyes with him just long enough to make sure he knows I see him. His smile falters, but only for a second.

He still thinks he’s untouchable. He still thinks I won’t do anything.

I keep walking with Sunny's warmth pressed into my side.

Zack’s time will come. And when it does, it's nothing he'll see coming.

Chapter Thirteen

Sunny

Levi'sarmisheavyand warm across my shoulders as we walk across the parking lot. I let myself lean into him, savoring the solid feel of him against my side. It's still new, this whole wanting to be touched thing. The casual way he holds me close makes my heart flutter. For once, I feel like I can breathe.

The thought barely registers before Zack's latest threat slithers through my mind:"You still owe me for that date, Sunny. I never got what I wanted. But don't worry, I'll collect. Levi can't be with you all the time..."

I shudder. The memory is still too fresh, too real. Even though it's been weeks, his words still have power. If Levi hadn't shown up when he did...

Stop.

I'm not letting my brain go there, not today. Levididshow up. He handled things with Zack. He took care of things. Took care ofme.

"Okay," Levi says suddenly, breaking into my thoughts. "What's going on in that head of yours?" He nudges me gently, his voice teasing but I hear the concern underneath.

“Nothing,” I lie, shaking my head, even though I can’t help but smile.

He raises an eyebrow. “Oh, please. I know you better than that. I know that look.”

“What look?” I laugh, pulling away from him just enough to give him a playful shove. “What are you even talking about?”

“That look where you kind of stare off into space, like you’re putting together some sort of master plan,” he says, squinting at me, chuckling. “Do I need to worry? You planning on taking me out? Getting rid of me?"

“Get rid of you? Take you out?" I roll my eyes but keep smiling. "Yeah, I’m definitely plotting how to take out the guy who couldliterallysnap me in half.”

The laughter dies in his throat, and he stops. His expression snapping to serious.

“You don't really see me that way, do you?” He turns to face me. His eyes are dark and worried. “I’d never hurt you, Sunny. You know that, right?”

The way he says it, so direct, so concerned— it makes my heart do a somersault in my chest. I swallow hard and nod.

Yeah, I do know that.I think.

Levi's never laid a hand on me in any way that I didn't want. He's gentle, reassuring, always promising that he could never hurt me. But I've caught a glimpse of the other side of him—the dark part that lives right under the surface, waiting for someone to push too hard.

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