Page 75 of Counter Bet

He points to the scratch marks on Ben’s neck. “Can’t get chicks to fuck you willingly? Looks like she put up a real good fight.”

Hailey drops her spoon on her plate. It clinks loudly. “Leave him alone, Jack.”

Jamie looks at her questioningly. I can literally see the cogs turn in his head before he pins me to my seat with his inquisitive blue eyes.

I swallow thickly.

He narrows his eyes.

Jack leans back in his chair and puts his heavy arm over my shoulder. He does it so casually that I bet we look like a happy couple. He ignores Hailey’s outburst, flashing his whitened teeth at Ben.

My stomach twists uncomfortably. I try to dislodge Jack’s arm.

Ben grinds his jaw and glances at me. His brown eyes are devoid of emotion as he says, “Trust me, Jack. She begged for it.”

My mouth drops open.Is he trying to hurt me?

Now bored with Ben and oblivious to his anger, Jack puts his other hand on my thigh and leans in to whisper in my ear.

Hailey watches the unfolding train wreck with wide eyes.

I’m frozen to my seat. I can’t look away from the resignation in Ben’s eyes.

He walks off to sit with his friends, his shoulders hunched.

I stare after him. Jack was a dick to him, but Ben hurt me in front of everyone with his dig. What happened between us in the closet meant a lot to me.

I feel sick.

“You’re a fucking jerk!” Hailey shouts, glaring at Jack.

He looks over at her in surprise. “What crawled up your ass?”

He really is clueless, isn’t he? I can’t stomach this anymore.

“Back off, or you and I will have a problem!” Jamie growls, jumping to Hailey’s defense.

Jamie is one of the most perceptive people I know, and the way he narrows his eyes on Hailey tells me he’s suspicious. She doesn’t usually care about anyone outside of our little circle, so what’s changed? That’s what he’s trying to figure out.

Before he has a chance to pin those blue eyes on me, I push off the table. I’m fed up with Jack’s flirting and tired with all of this drama in general.

I walk off but don’t get far before Rick grabs my arm and pulls me back. I lose balance and collide with his hard chest.

He grips my arms to steady me and leans down, searching my eyes. “I know something is up, Em. You might as well tell me now.”

“Nothing is wrong.” My eyes sting with unshed tears. Why does he have to know me so well? I can never hide my emotions from him, and this time is no different.

He cups my jaw, sweeping his eyes over my face and neck. I know the minute he spots the hickeys because his body grows tense, and his grip on me tightens. He brushes my hair off my neck and inspects the marks. His eyes flick back up to mine, searching.

My cheeks heat. “Not here, Rick,” I whisper.

He grinds his jaw as he looks over my shoulder.

Ben has been watching us this whole time. I know because his eyes burn like liquid fire down my back.

Rick grabs my hand and pulls me along behind him. I go willingly, too tired and fed up to argue. Students watch us weave between tables. I know what this looks like. Us, holding hands.

The doors to the cafeteria close behind us. Rick blows out a breath and puts his hands on his hips as I lean against the wall.

---