Page 30 of Stroke of Fate

“Okay,” I find myself saying, despite my reluctance.

And sure, I could tell him I’m not looking for anything, but the words won’t leave my mouth becauseIfeel bad that I’m not interested in him like that.

Levi is the only person I’ve been able to stand up to without hesitation. And seeing how I haven’t seen him since that night at Static, those muscles haven’t been flexed in a few days—two days, to be exact.

So here I am, handing my phone over regardless of my feelings.

Once Finn hands my phone back, I notice he sent himself a bear emoji text. When I give him a questioning look, he gestures to his phone.

“Now I have your number, too,” he says with a sheepish grin.

“Oh, right.”

I’m about to tell him I need to get to my next class, even though it doesn’t start for another twenty minutes, but the words die on my tongue for an entirely different reason.

Behind Finn, one of the cafeteria doors swings open abruptly. My eyes widen, and my mouth falls open when Levi emerges.

Judging by the murderous expression on his face, he’s not happy. I try to convince myself he’s not coming toward us, but with every step he takes, it’s obvious we’re his targets.

Even now, as he barrels closer, there’s no denying how attractive he is. And I don’t fail to notice a few girls glancing his way, either.

His fists are clenched, the muscles in his forearms flexing. Rage contorts his face. Even when he looks like he’s about to rip someone apart, the area between my thighs throbs.

I thought I liked sweet boys who whisper pretty things in my ear, but apparently, I don’t know myself very well.

Finn glances over his shoulder, noticing my attention has shifted. The moment he spots Levi, he stiffens as if bracing for impact.

Me too, Finn. Me too.

When Levi reaches us, he glares at Finn. As he drops onto the bench next to me, I turn and shoothima glare of my own.

Unfazed by my annoyance, he leans back and rests his arm behind me on the bench.

His fingers brush against my shoulder, and I shiver involuntarily. My heart speeds up, and adrenaline surges through me from being this close to him.Still, I try hard to act unaffected, but judging from the smirk he throws my way, I don’t think it worked.

He knows exactly what he’s doing to me, and the cocky asshole likes it.

Finn swings a suspicious gaze between Levi and me, and I swing a worried glance between him and Levi. Meanwhile, Levi’s attention stays locked on Finn.

Since Levi started running his fingers across my shoulder, the anger radiating from him has simmered considerably. Without thinking, I lean into his touch. That realization makes me sit up straighter, but his hold tightens just a fraction, leaving me no choice but to settle back into his side.

For what feels like forever, no one says anything. The longer the silence stretches, the thicker the cloud of tension over us grows.

Finn is the first to break the tense silence. “What are you doing here?”

“The real question is, what areyoudoing here?” Levi growls.

“None of your business.”

Levi scoffs, and I wish Finn would walk away. The more he pushes, the worse this is going to get. I can feel Levi vibrating with annoyance at Finn’s words.

“What’s your name?” Levi all but demands.

“Finn.”

“Haven’t seen you around before,Finn.”

“We don’t run in the same circle, Marino.”

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