Page 93 of Liars

“That he treats girls like sluts. That he doesn’t respect them and only cares about himself. Oh, and apparently? He doesn’t like kissing when he’s, you know, in the act.”

My brows pulled together as we approached my locker. “He didn’t seem to mind kissing me.”

Poppy gave me a look, but my mind was already spinning.

Maybe there was some truth to the rumors, but I wasn’t looking for a relationship. And Poppy might be right—I was a romantic. That didn’t mean I couldn’t do casual.

How would I know if I didn’t try?

Wait.

Was I actually considering this?

No. Absolutely not.

I needed to maintain my disdain for him. It was the safest bet.

“Just be careful,” Poppy warned. “He loses interest fast, and I don’t want you to get hurt. I like you too much to watch an asshole like Kreed Corvo break your heart. He isn’t worth the tears.”

“I’m always careful.”

“Whoever told you that is a liar.”

I whirled at the sound of Maddox’s voice, my eyes finding him directly behind me, too close.

His hands came out to steady me, settling on my hips before I smacked into his chest. He wore a fitted dark green sweater that pulled the color out in his eyes. “Your name is MENACE in all caps,” he said, smirking.

I scowled, wrenching my hips out of his hands. “What do you want, Maddox?” We were in the middle of the hall, forcing everyone to walk around us, but Maddox could have cared less. Poppy waved at me as she got swept into the crowd, leaving me with the wolf.

“To find out what you were doing with two of my brothers in the middle of the night.”

My pulse stuttered. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Raine and Kreed…does that jog any memories?” The scent of his cologne curled around me like smoke.

I swallowed, shaking my head. “Nope.” How the hell would he know about that? The only way was one of them had to have squealed, and my gut said it wasn’t Kreed. “Did Raine say something to you?” I swallowed. How the hell did he know about that?

His jaw flexed. “Should he have?”

I scoffed, lifting my chin. “I don’t want to play any of your reverse psychology games. Turns out I don’t like playing with you.”

He grabbed my arm, whirling me around until my back hit the cold lockers. Both hands caged me in, his palms pressed against the metal wall.

I sucked in a sharp breath. “What the hell, Maddox?”

His eyes darkened. “How could you?” His voice dropped, low and dangerous. “You’re a Steele. You only know how to plot, scheme, and destroy. Fun isn’t in your blood.”

What the hell is he talking about?

My lips carved into a deep frown. “What does who I am have to do with anything?” Half the time Maddox opened his mouth, I didn’t understand what he was saying. He confused me more than any of the other Corvos.

Brooding Kreed? I could figure him out.

Flirty, impish Mason? Made sense.

Raine? Controlled, responsible, predictable.

Maddox? He made my brain hurt.

---