Page 14 of Puck'n Bully
How can Liam be so oblivious to that asshole’s intentions? And before I know it, Liam says something that makes the stranger laugh.
My hands ball into tight fists. What could be so damn funny in a fucking book? And what the hell were they even talking about?
My chest burns with something sharp and unfamiliar.
Unable to control myself, I stride toward them.
“Hey, Hayden,” Logan calls after me but I ignore him.
Reaching Liam, I slam my hands on the table. The loud thud makes the stranger jump. He glares up at me but his bravado fades as a look of recognition flits across his face.
“Hayden Bastian,” he mutters, staring at me with an open-mouthed expression.
Ignoring him, I pin Liam with an angry stare. “What the hell are you doing here?”
Liam lets out a heavy sigh before meeting my gaze. “It’s a cafeteria, genius,” he says in a low voice. “I’m allowed to be here.”
I hate his condescending tone. “What are you doing withhim?”
“It’s none of your business,” he replies, looking down at the open book in front of him.
How can he ignore me so easily? Reaching out, I grab his arm roughly, making sure he can’t snub me again.
“Hey, let him go,” the stranger pipes up at once. “We’re just studying. Liam is tutoring me. We can go somewhere else if you want to take our table.”
“You,” I hiss, fixing my glare on the guy who thinks he can be a hero to Liam. “What’s your name?”
“Jake,” he answers, attempting to smile at me.
“Jake, do you know who I am?”
“Of course. You’re Hayden Bastian, the star center of the Thunder Knights. I watched you score four goals at last night’s game.”
Good. At least,heknows not to fuck with me.
“Either tell us what you want or leave,” Liam says in an icy tone, barely acknowledging my presence. “We’re busy right now.”
My frustration rises, making me want to grab Liam and kiss his luscious lips so thoroughly, that he can never dare to treat me like this again. But since I can’t do that in a cafeteria full of college kids, I turn my anger on Jake.
Jake stares between me and Liam, looking uncomfortable.
“Do you want a problem with me?” I ask him.
He shakes his head.
“Then, go get me a plate of whatever pasta they’re serving today and get the hell out of here,” I hiss with a threatening glare.
“Sure.” Jake is up on his feet before Liam can stop him.
“You don’t have to go,” Liam says, watching Jake hurriedly pack up his stuff.
“Uhh, it’s okay. I’ve got a class coming up soon anyway,” Jake mutters, hauling his backpack over his shoulder. “I’ll book another session with you some other time.”
I grab the chair Jake just vacated and drop into it.
“You’re unbelievable,” Liam snaps, his cheeks flushing a bright red.
A flicker of joy erupts in my chest. I shouldn’t be feeling happy about him being mad at me but it excites me to see him reacting to me.
