Page 35 of Wicked Minds
“There was a theatre room in the dorms?” I ask, surprised. Although, I’m not sure why. Of course, somewhere like Halston would have the likes of a theatre room in its dorms. Most kids are probably accustomed to having cinema rooms in their parents' houses.
“Oh yeah. It’s where everyone congregates to chat and catch up. Big comfy armchairs and a widescreen TV constantly playing but turned on mute. Usually, one of the guys would hook up a gaming console. It was great fun.”
I smile wistfully. “Sounds like it.”
At my tone, his frown returns.
“Between classes and work, I barely have time for friends anyway, so it’s no great loss,” I tell him, not entirely sure if I’m trying to reassure him or remind myself. Either way, he doesn’t seem to buy it, and we lapse into a heavy silence as we finish our lunch.
When we’re done, he clears our trays away before following me outside, where other students are milling around in line at the coffee cart or heading to or from the food court. “Let me buy you?—”
“Logan!”
A high-pitched shrill cuts him off, and I internally groan as Whitney strides toward us, two of her sidekicks in tow.
“Uhh, hey,” Logan greets, that professional smile of his sliding into place. He clearly has no idea who she is, which makes me feel a little better.
“Where have you been hiding all week? The food court has been awfully quiet without you.”
“Just been hanging with my girl here,” Logan says casually, with a hint of what sounds like pride in his voice as he saysmy girl. I’m certainly not about to correct him on the fact that I am most definitelynothis girl, regardless of what he might think or believe. Not when Whitney’s gaze slides to mine, and she startles as though only now noticing I’m standing right here.Bitch.
Eyes shifting to the building behind us, she gasps. “In the dining hall? Logan, that is so beneath you. You shouldn’t have to lower yourself just to hang out with the poor kids. Not when the food court haseverythingyou could ever want.”
Oh my god, the way she intoned that, she made it very fucking obvious thatshe’son the exclusive food court’s menu—specially for Logan Astor.Barf.
Whitney’s smile is laced with sugar when she turns it on me. “No offense, sweetie, but your kind just doesn’t belong with the likes of Logan Astor.”
“No offense taken,” I say just as sweetly.
“Actually,” Logan interjects, tone cold as ice. “Offense has very much been taken. Where the hell do you get off talking to Riley like that? Toanyonelike that. You’re not better than her, andI’msure as fuck not better than her. Or anyone. Having everything handed to you in life doesn’t make you superior. Riley has had to work her ass off foreverythingshe’s achieved. Unlikesome,she clearly understands the meaning of hard work. The gratification that comes with putting your all into something and seeing the result pay off. Which, from where I’m standing,makes her perfect for me. If anyone doesn’t belongwith the likes of me, it’s you.”
Wide-eyed, Whitney gapes at Logan before regaining her composure, although her cheeks are still blazing with embarrassment. With a painfully tight smile and a glare that screams murder, she storms off, her hands flapping in front of her as she no doubt rants to her sidekicks.
“Is that the kind of shit you’ve been dealing with this year?” Logan asks when they’re out of earshot, sounding just as furious as he did before.
“Eh, more or less. It got worse, especially from Whitney, when you and I started hanging out, but I don’t let it get to me. Girls like that aren’t the sorts of people I want to know or spend my time with anyway.”
“You still shouldn’t have to put up with that shit. I can’t believe I didn’t know that you were.”
“Well, she’s hardly going to do it in front of you. She probably only said that since she assumed you’d agree with her.”
He harrumphs. “And it’s not like you would have said anything.” I roll my eyes at his indignation. I’d point out the fact that I don’t need him fighting my battles for me, but I fear it would be wasted breath. “What’s her name again?”
I chuckle, letting loose a grin. “Whitney.”
“Right, well,Whitneywon’t be bothering you again. I’ll make sure the rest of the team knows she’s on our shit list.”
“You have a shit list?”
With a shrug, he explains, “There’s always someone trying to make money off of us. Guys looking to start a fight so their buddies can record it and fuck up our chances of making it pro. Girls who want us for our money yet think it’s acceptable to bang other guys because we’re on the road so much.”
“That’s messed up.”
“It is,” he agrees. “Whitney and her friends are officially on that list now, which means she’s as good as shunned. None of the guys will touch her. She’ll be banned from all social events. No more Halston hockey for her.”
“That sounds… excessive,” I say as I chew on my lip.
Logan snorts. “She messed with what’s mine. She’s lucky I don’t completely destroy her.”
