Page 64 of Unbidden

Keaton gives me a small smile before glaring at his brother.

“Maybe she doesn’t like to be touched by you, bro.”

Reed’s eyes darken, meeting mine as he sets his plate on the nearest table before grabbing mine and placing it with his. He crowds into my space, reaching up to remove Keaton’s arm from around my shoulder. Then he leans in, trailing his nose from my cheek up to my ear.

“I had a good time Saturday. You know, you’re the first girl I’ve ever spent the night with.” His words are low, but they must be loud enough for Keaton to hear because he gasps.

“It was an enjoyable evening. Who knew you were such a romantic? Staring at the stars with a trailer trash whore.”

Reed growls and grabs my waist before I can move away from him. “Don’t say that. Never say that about yourself. You’re not a whore or trailer trash.”

“You know, you said I was playing games, but I think you’re the master game player. I don’t know what your angle is, but I can’t keep up. I’d rather bow out gracefully from whatever your next plot is.”

This time, he lets me pull away, leaving him and my lunch behind.

And maybe a little piece of my heart that I hadn’t realized he’d snatched.

∞∞∞

I spend the rest of lunch in the library. As I’m getting up to leave, Mrs. Lincoln stops me.

“How are you settling in?” Her eyes seem to hold a tinge of concern.

“As well as one from my side of the tracks can. I thought public school was bad, but it has nothing on the people here.”

She purses her lips. After a moment, she says, “I know the kids here can be cruel. Just remember that the education you’re getting here is priceless. Soak up as much of it as you can and try to remain in the background. Nothing good will come from you getting involved with anyone here.”

She glances over her shoulder, almost as if she’s making sure no one is listening to her whispered words.

“No worries. I don’t trust anyone, especially at this school. Besides, I’m hoping not to be here long enough to care about any of these people.”

Liar. You care about Victoria, Tinsley, and Keaton,my traitorous heart says.

“Good. Even those you think are your friends could be the ones to hurt you. Not everything is as it seems with the people here. Everyone is hiding a secret. Even you, Sage.”

My eyes widen at her statement. What secrets could I be keeping from people?

“I’m not sure I know what you mean.”

“I hope you never do. Now hurry off to class.”

She shoves a book at me. I take it without looking at it.

“Thanks, I guess,” I mutter before leaving the library, confused by her statement.

I’m still focusing on the weird conversation I just had, so I don’t notice someone standing in front of my locker until I get there. I startle as Ingram leans against it, smirking at me.

“Thinking about that crazy sex you were paid for last night?” she asks.

“You guys need to make up your mind. Either I’m a whore or a prostitute. Which is it?”

“Both, of course. What’s the difference?” she challenges.

“Well, either I fuck for free because I enjoy sex—which there is nothing wrong with, by the way—or I get paid to fuck. Which is it?”

“Guess you already answered, whore.”

I roll my eyes. “Fine. I’m a whore. Now move. I have to go to class.”

---