Page 69 of Hard Hitter

“What’s your problem with me?”

"Guess I'm the only one who doesn't understand what's so fantastic aboutRaelyn DeRose," Alaina's tone was airy and mocking as she said the name. "Although, I suppose I did hear a rumor a couple minutes ago about how you'requitethe cocksucker."

“What?”Raelyn’s eyebrows came together. “Where the hell is that rumor coming from?”

“Apparently your own boyfriend,” Alaina smirked. “I guess he was telling everyone in his weight training class all about your ‘talented mouth’ and the various uses he’s found for it.”

Anger flared in Raelyn’s stomach, though she wasn’t exactly surprised. She and Liam had gotten pretty physical- certainly more so than any other guy she’d been with- and he was sort of a mega-douche. Locker room talk about sexual conquests sounded exactly like something he’d be into.

Oh God...Quinn’s in that class.

Raelyn was temporarily horrified at the thought that Quinn-andChrisandJett,fuck!-had heard whatever crude things her soon-to-be-ex-boyfriend had been bragging about. She should have seen this coming sooner or later. It was stupid that she’d even considered he might keep some things private when it came to their intimate life.

Not allowing Alaina to have the upper hand and think she'd somehow offended her, Raelyn simply said, “Well, everyone likes to hear they’ve got a natural talent.”

"Oh yes, it's always good to know you've got career options," Alaina remarked. "I hear that's one market that just doesn't crash."

Well, fuck. That was good. I hate this bitch.

Luckily, Raelyn was saved from having to come up with a quick retort, because Quinn appeared around the corner. Both girls' attention went to him as he approached. His expression was angry, and the bruising along with the cut on his lip would've made him look menacing if he weren't so devilishly handsome.

Why doeshe look so hot right now?

Whoa- back up. Why does he look like he got into a fight? Focus, girl!

She pushed herself off from Quinn’s locker and gaped at him. He had a darkening bruise along his cheek bone, another mark on his chin, and his lip was split, but not actively bleeding.

“Oh my God, Quinn," Raelyn reached for him and took his face in her hands to look him over. “What the hell happened? Are you okay?”

Quinn shook her off and moved around her. He opened his locker and began stiffly grabbing his things out, shoving items in his bag, and definitelynotlooking at her.

“Quinn…” She stood by and watched him clean out his locker.

Was Quinn mad because of the things Liam had said about her? About them?

Would Quinn get into a fight with Liam over that?

Of course he would. Quinn was big on respecting a person’s boundaries and knowing when to keep your mouth shut about things that didn’t need to be said. He was also big on letting his fists do the talking.

“Quinn, what happened?” Raelyn asked again, not wanting to jump to any conclusions.

"Ask your boyfriend," Quinn mumbled.

“What did he say?”

No response. Quinn's jaw clenched and Raelyn could see the muscles there move.

"You didn't seriously just punch him because you found out we do more than kiss, right?" Raelyn prompted, hoping to end the silent treatment.

Quinn paused for a brief second, hovering a notebook over his backpack. He looked like he wanted to say something. Sheknewhe wanted to say something. But he just shoved the notebook in his bag and continued clearing out his locker.

"Okay, well, I'm confused. An hour ago we were fine, and now I hear there are rumors being spread about me and your face is covered in bruises…”

Quinn shut his locker with force and turned to face her finally. "What the hell are you doing talking to Liam about me?"

Raelyn raised one eyebrow. "What do you mean? I can't mention you around him?"

"I mean, why are you telling him about my life? About my mom? About home?" Quinn asked. "You think I'm some sort of charity case that your family took on? Is that seriously what you think of me?"

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