Page 12 of Unbidden

“Not my Reed. He would never.” Ingram lowers her voice as she says it. She obviously doesn’t want Reed seeing her stake a claim.

Interesting.

“Oh, Reed?” I cut my eyes to him and see his lowering. “That isn’t what he told me. What was it you said, Reed?” I call to him. “Something about eating me later?” I turn and shrug at her. “You’re right. Reed Yates would never.”

I don’t wait for a response from her or anyone else, just turn and hold my head high as I walk to my next class. I can make out commotion behind me, but I resist the urge to look back. I don’t care what these bitches have to say about me. They want to think I’m a skank? Let them. They want to call me names? Do it. I can leave at any time. The only thing stopping me is the agreement I made with Alice. Give it a shot for eight months.

Only eight months of this shit.

I can do that.

∞∞∞

Victoria doesn’t even wait until I get to the car before yelling at me.

“I warned you, didn’t I?”

“I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.”

She chuckles. “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe the fact that you pissed off the Yates brothers and Ingram all on your first day. Do you have a death wish?”

I roll my eyes at her. “Can we go? This place is sucking my soul away.”

She unlocks the car and waits until we’re on the road before speaking again. “Did you really tell Ingram you would sleep with Reed?”

I snort. “No. I told her he would be eating me later.”

She bursts out laughing. “I wish I’d seen the look on her face. She’s been trying to land Reed since we were kids. She has it in her head that they’ll get married one day.”

“Ew, why? He’s a disgusting, arrogant pig. Besides, he was getting head from some other chick this morning.”

“He does that. She says she’s letting him sow his wild oats before marriage. It's all a political game to her. She thinks because he’s rich and she is too that it means they would make a great couple.”

“Good for them. I hope they live a miserable life together.”

“They won’t. Reed wants nothing to do with her. He’ll pretty much let any girl suck him off. Not that it’s public knowledge, but I know he won’t let her near him even for that.”

I turn to look at her. “How do you know, then?”

She shrugs. “Tinsley. She hates Ingram more than you do.”

“I don’t hate her. Hating her requires energy. She doesn’t matter to me.”

“Well, keep your eyes open. She has a vindictive side, and you just riled it up. I wouldn’t be surprised if they have plans for you.”

“She’s pathetic. Let her play her games. I’ve dealt with way worse than her.” I think back to some of the fights I’ve been in. “I can be scrappy when I need to be. I bet she’s never even chipped a nail.”

Victoria slows as she comes to our gate. “I’m not talking about fighting, Sage. I’m talking about petty, behind-your-back shit. She won’t step up to your face.”

“That makes it even worse. She’s a coward. I can handle her.”

“You might be able to handle her, but you also pissed off the Yates brothers. They’re dangerous. Like I said before, I’ll protect you the best I can, but you opened a whole can of worms that I’m not sure I’ll be able to get you out of. Even with my friendship with Tinsley.”

“I didn’t ask you to. I can handle my own shit.” I sigh as she turns and gives me a wounded look. “Listen, I appreciate the thought, but I knew what I was doing when I opened my mouth. I refuse to be bullied. If they want to come at me, well, then I’ll handle it. I’m only here for eight months. Once I turn eighteen, I’m leaving, and your life can go back to normal. Hell, if you want, pretend you don’t know me. I wouldn’t blame you.”

I go to jump out, but her voice stops me. “I won’t abandon you, Sage. You’re family, whether you want to be or not. I know I said I wouldn’t get involved before, but I lied. If you’re in this shit, then so am I.”

“Why would you do that? Just because of some blood running through my veins?”

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