Page 42 of Unbidden

I bite my lip as I contemplate. While normally my answer would be a firm hell no, I do like Tinsley. She’s sweet, unlike her asshole oldest brother.

“Fine, but only for Tinsley.”

He smiles brightly. “Good. Can I escort you?” He holds out his arm.

I roll my eyes but place my arm in his.

Once in the cafeteria, he veers us away from the buffet-style line and leads me to a table in the back corner. Food is spread out on the table, and there are plates set in front of each chair. Hell, there’s even a dark purple tablecloth.

“What’s all of this?” I ask.

“Tinsley likes having a formal lunch from time to time. Which is why you, little fox, have received a coveted invite to the exclusive Yates table.”

“You’re making me so glad I accepted this invitation,” I deadpan.

He leads me to a chair at one end and gestures for me to sit. “Can you just sit here and be quiet? Maybe not start shit for thirty minutes or so?”

My blood starts to boil. “Seriously, Keat? I’m not the one who starts shit, but I won’t sit by and just take it. I have a right to stand up for myself.” I had taken a seat, but I jump up. “You know what? I should go.”

I walk around Keaton but only make it a few steps before Reed steps in my way. “You will sit your ass down, and you will enjoy a nice lunch with my sister and the select few friends she invited. She specifically asked for you to come to this little lunch, so you’re going to be there. I don’t care what your issues are, you will not disappoint or hurt my sister. So you better sit your ass in that chair, smile, and be happy.”

He grabs my arm and pulls me back over to the chair I’d vacated.

I’m about to respond when Tinsley’s voice interrupts.

“Let her go, Reed. She’s my guest. Why are you making her sit all the way down there? Jesus, you boys need to learn manners.” She walks over and pushes Reed’s hand off me before looping her arm in mine and leading me to the other end of the table. Then she lowers her voice to a whisper. “That end is for the girls I invited only to stay on their good side. You’ll sit down here with me and V. The inner circle.”

I look up and see Ingram and her crew along with a couple of other girls walking towards the table.

She isn’t wrong. These girls aren’t friends with anyone. Each one is vicious. I can see what she meant about staying on their good side. I haven’t been here long, yet I’ve already had a taste of their bad side.

“I can go sit by them if you want, Tinsley. I know I’m not really in your inner circle. You don’t have to be nice just because of V.”

She laughs as she shakes her head. “I’m not letting you sit here because you are V’s cousin. You’ve shielded me when I didn’t want to be around Reed and the guys. You gave Keaton a second chance when you didn’t have to. You’re one of the good ones. I knew when I met you that we would be good friends. Everything else just cemented it.”

“I didn’t do that for recognition. No one should have to deal with bullies. As for you and Keaton, I can’t seem to ditch you guys,” I tease.

“You’re only making me love you more. Keep telling me how amazing and humble you are, S.”

I can feel the blush color my cheeks. I hate the attention she’s giving me. Thankfully, Victoria sits down next to Tinsley, breaking the moment.

“It hit me earlier that you’re about to turn sixteen this year, T, which seems crazy to me.”

“Our baby is growing up and still one step behind me.” Keaton walks around and tousles her hair before taking the seat directly across from Victoria.

“Watch the hair, bro. I just wanted to be around someone other than that hag Mom and Dad hired as a nanny, Mrs. Grunewald.” She visibly shudders. “She was a nightmare, but Mom and Dad thought of her as Mary Poppins.”

“Enough family talk,” Reed grumbles as he places a kiss on top of Tinsley’s head before taking his seat, which is next to me. “Let’s eat.”

“Hear! Hear!,” Keaton calls out to the table, which they all repeat.

“Well, don’t be shy. Grab what you want while you still can,” Tinsley says, which prompts the table into motion.

After all the food has been passed around and drinks served, we all settle into our own conversations.

“So, S, what are you wearing this weekend?”

I finish chewing before turning my attention to Tinsley. “I haven’t decided yet.”

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