Page 66 of Shattered Souls
“Next,” the barista calls.
“Just order your drink, James.” With a firm hand on the base of my spine, Royce pushes me in front of the barista. I ask for a caramel latte while Royce orders a black coffee before we wait at the end of the counter.
Several minutes later, with our drinks in hand, we look around for a place to sit. “Oh, over there.” I point in the directionwhere a group of guys are leaving a booth, and we weave our way through the tables, sliding into the newly vacant booth before someone else can claim it.
The seat is cushioned and pleasantly comfortable, and I sink into it as I sip my latte, the sweet, creamy flavor instantly lifting my spirits. We sit in companionable silence while we sip on our drinks, and I people-watch. The hustle and bustle of the coffee shop is a welcome relief from the morbid arena that has become my mind, and I go from table to table, creating stories for each person sitting there, all to avoid my own mess of a life.
Lost in my own world, I notice Royce stiffen from the corner of my eye. My head whips in his direction, gaze raking over him as I try to figure out what’s wrong. His hand is clenched tightly around his cup, and if it had been a disposable one, he’d have crushed it, likely burning himself in the process. His expression has turned to stone. He’s completely shut down.
This is more than just being pissed off.
Somethinghas gotten to him.
Frantic, I scan our surroundings, not understanding.
“It’s definitely him.”
Another voice adds, “I can’t believe he’s allowed to just walk around campus.”
“Right? Like, how has he not been expelled? He’s a menace to society.”
My focus zeros in on the girls sitting in the booth behind him. They aren’t even trying to keep their voices low, talking so loudly that I can hear them over the din of other customers.
Clearly, Royce hears them, too, and based on the furtive glances they keep flicking his way, I can hazard a guess as to who they’re talking about.
Sitting opposite each other, the brunette has her back to me, so I can’t see her face, but I recognize the other girl as the one who was talking about Royce that day in the library—the blondewho said her cousin knew Royce. Does that make her cousin Melissa?
“I’m going to say something to my parents,” the blonde states snootily. “I don’t feel safe walking around campus with him on the prowl. What if we ran into him when it was dark out?” She gapes scandalously at her friend.
“Do you think the girl with himknows?” her friend asks, and I quickly avert my gaze in case either of them looks my way.
“Maybe we should tell her,” the blonde suggests. “It’s our civic duty, after all. What if he does the same thing to her? I mean, who knows how many other girls have fallen victim to those good looks.”
Aaaand I’ve had enough.
Teeth gritted and fury burning a path through my veins, I get to my feet.
“Riley,” Royce hisses. “Don’t?—”
I shut him up with a lethal glare before stomping over to the booth behind him. Towering over the table, I fold my arms across my chest and stare down at the two girls. They fall silent, blinking up at me.
“Uh, can we help you?” the brunette asks, frowning. I realize she’s the other library buddy, and for some reason, that only pisses me off more. Do these two just spend their day talking shit about my boyfriend?
“I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation,” I begin curtly.
“Oh, good.” The relief in the blonde’s expression is palpable. “We wanted to say something?—”
“Do you realize slander is a prosecutable offense?”
My question is met with a moment of confused silence. The two girls share a glance.
“Uh, it’s not slander if it’s true,” the brunette snipes.
“Except the bullshit you two are spewing isnotthe truth.” I pin my searing gaze on the blonde. “Your cousin is the one you heard this from, yes?”
Her mouth opens and closes, making her look like a fish. I’m done listening to her talk, so I don’t wait for her to find her voice. I lean in, ensuring they’re the only ones who hear my next words.
“I suggest you go back to your cousin, and this time, ask her to tell you the truth of what happened that night.” I cast my gaze toward her friend, including her in my next sentiment. “In the meantime, the two of you should shut your pie holes, focus on your own lives, and leave the rest of us alone.”
