Page 29 of Mayhem

“None. I don’t need you to follow me.” I spin once outside, pushing on his chest. I hear a snicker but ignore it.

“Aren’t you going to eat?” he asks, looking confused.

“Nope.” I turn to leave again, but he grips my arm, pulling me inside instead. “Let me go, Nate,” I growl.

“Come eat lunch with me.”

We have a brief staring contest before I give in. I hate conceding, but he is unwavering and I know when to choose my battles. This one was not worth it.

Having him drag me in there will be worse than walking in on my own. As we walk into the cafeteria, I don’t miss all the whispers.

Fuck them.

This entire school is a fucking joke.

I follow behind Nate, grabbing a chicken Caesar salad and a Gatorade. Once at the register, I pull out my wallet for my lunch card, but the lunch lady nods to Nate, waiting behind me.

I glare at him. “Did you buy my lunch?”

He smirks. “Let’s eat. I’m ravenous.”

“I don’t need you buying me food,” I say as I trail behind him.

Hailee shoots me a wide-eyed look as Nate leads me to his table. The basketball table. No one sits here unless you’re on the team or dating someone on the team. Even then, it’s limited.

“Kitchens, move,” Nate demands.

The boy’s eyes roam over me, making room for me.

“Baby, you came to sit with us?” I cringe as I realize Henry is also sitting at the table.

Of course.

“Don’t speak to her.” Nate’s voice holds a finality to it, giving me a temporary reprieve.

No one acknowledges me again throughout lunch. Nate sits back, listening to the conversation around him, laughing when appropriate, but now that I am closer to him, I see what they don’t. He’s not invested. He is playing a part. Playboy basketball player with the world at his feet.

He turns and winks at me, catching me staring. I smile, shaking my head.

Okay, so he’s a playboy. That much is true.

Once I finish eating, I give him a nod, standing to leave. When he moves to stand with me, I wave him off.

“I think I can make it to class on my own.”

He pauses before sitting back down, joining the conversation.

Once in the hall, I make my way to my locker. I’m only there a moment before an arm snakes around my waist, pulling me back into him.

I immediately attempt to push him off. Turning, I see Henry.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” I hiss over my shoulder.

He leans in close, he whispers in my ear, “Showing you that you wouldn’t need two guys if you had the right man.”

“No, thank you. Get the fuck off of me.” I push at him, but he doesn’t budge.

“You know you want some of this.” He grinds his crotch into my hip.

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