Page 99 of Tainted Romance

I honestly was sorry. That was the second time this morning I had dropped them, and it was all thanks to that stupid tattooed hot machine named Zane.

Just seeing him always resulted in me tripping or dropping something.

“I thought his power over you would have eased by now,” Blake grumbled under his breath, which only resulted in confusing me.

“What did you say?”

“Nothing.” He handed me my books. “Just get a move on to second period before you’re late again.”

I wanted to press him more about his odd comment, but he was right. I couldn’t be lateagain.

“Fine, see you at lunch,” I threw over my shoulder as I quickened my pace.

Blake and his double-sided comments were doing my head in. Why couldn’t he just directly say what he meant? I guessed even when we were little he would always dodge questions.

Although now, it was a sort of feeling as ifeveryonewas dodging my questions or just me in general.

***

I walked into class just as the bell rang and was sort of feeling proudof myself until I realized once again the only seat left was next to a very unhappy looking Zane.

Fan-fucking-tastic.

I sighed, dropping my books on the table next to him and pulling the chair to the edge of the table.

The last thing I needed was another run-in with him.

I hadn’t spoken to him since I saw him at work. I also knew for a fact he hated me because I had overheard Ebony telling Gemma in the girl’s bathroom.

The teacher started the lesson, and I was half listening when my attention was pulled away. Jamie, a guy I rarely spoke too, gestured with his hand for me to lean over to him.

“What?” I hissed across the bay.

“Are you going to the beach party tonight?” The tone he used told me he was genuinely interested in whether I was going or not.

“I wasn’t planning on it; it wasn’t like I had a reason to.”

His grin dropped for a moment, and then he shook his head. “Not good enough, Allie, and I’m giving you a reason to right now.”

He was flirting with me.

Me.

Allie Winters.

I blushed slightly. “Ok, well, maybe I’ll re-think it.”

He gave me a quick wink before we both straightened up in our chairs.

I was still slightly blushing when I snuck a glance at the stone man. What a surprise! He had an intense, angry expression on his face yet again.

Was Zane ever not angry?

“You finished flirting now so we can get these questions answered?” he snapped at me.

Great a joint project yet again.

“I can just do them if you want,” I muttered, feeling uncomfortable.

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