dare burning a proverbial hole in my pocket…but I always chicken out.
Not today.
With shaky fingers, I reach inside my pocket for the folded note.
The hand on my hip tightens. “Don’t do this, D.”
Too late. I unfold the paper and hold it up to him.
I dare you to kiss me.
His features twist in pain, despite his grip on me tightening. “No.”
“If you’re so adamant that all we’ll ever be is friends, a stupid kiss shouldn’t be such a big deal.”
Silence.
It’s hard to argue with logic.
It’s even harder to argue with jealousy.
“If the thought of kissing me disgusts you so much, I’ll just ask Tom—”
I stop breathing when his hands frame my face. “No.”
“Why?”
“Because you don’t belong to Tommy.” His nostrils flare. “He can’t have you.”
“So, you don’t want me, but no one else is allowed to have me? Is that it?”
Long fingers wrap around the back of my neck, pulling me closer. “I never said I didn’t want you.” His face grows taut as he dips his forehead to mine. “I said we could never be more than friends.”
He’s talking in circles. Putting us through turmoil for no reason. The solution is simple. Literally right in front of us.
“Kiss me, Jace.”
“No.”
Irritation ripples through me. I’m growing tired of these stupid mixed signals that are impossible to decode.
“Then let me go.”
His gaze falls to my lips and he leans in. “I can’t.”
Before I can blink, his lips feather over mine in a whisper of a kiss.
They’re gone just as quickly.
“Got it,” Jace declares, taking several steps back.
“Got what?” Cole questions, taking the words from my mouth.
Jace holds up his finger briefly then wipes it on his pants. “Dylan had an eyelash in her eye. You know what a baby she is when it comes to eyeballs.”
Cole nods. “She’s the worst. Couldn’t even sit through Saw IV without getting squeamish.”
Jace laughs while I shoot them both dirty looks.
Liam gives me a sympathetic smile. “I d-don’t lik-k-ke eyeballs-s-s either, D-D-Dylan.”
“Yeah, they’re gross.” I turn my attention back to Jace. “Um. Can we—”
“I thought you were leaving?” He averts his gaze. “I have shit to do anyway, so you probably should.”
We both know Jace doesn’t have shit to do. I read the asshole loud and clear.
“Right.” I grab my hoodie. “See you around.”
“W-w-wait,” Liam calls out. “Y-y-you could h-h-hang out w-w-with me.”
Normally I’d take Liam up on the offer, but I don’t want to be anywhere near Jace.
“Thanks, Liam. Maybe next time.”
Chapter 9
Dylan
Turns out there are worse things at RHA than the girls’ bathroom.
Arriving late to class.
Ignoring the beads of sweat trickling down my back, I quickly scan the room as who I’m assuming must be the teacher—given she’s standing at the front of the room with a scowl on her face and all—sighs in exasperation.
“Class started three minutes ago,” she informs me curtly as I make a beeline for the nearest open seat in the back of the room.
Everyone studies me like I’m some new microbe in a petri dish and I walk even faster. “Sorr—”
“Move,” a gruff voice bites out the second my ass hits the seat.
When I turn my head to the right, I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Jace is slumped over his desk…glaring daggers at me. “Get a new seat. Now.”
Breathe, Dylan.
I look him right in the eyes. “Nah. I’m good right here.”
Those gorgeous eyes of his darken as he sits up. “Trust me, you’re not. Do us both a favor and sit somewhere else.”
“Is there a problem, Mr. Covington?” the teacher calls out.
He turns his attention to her. “Yeah. This bi—”
“Make me.”
If I wasn’t already aware everyone was watching our exchange, I would be now.
Jace’s voice drops suggestively and my heart speeds up for a different reason. “That would involve touching you.” His mouth curves into a disgusted sneer when our eyes connect. “Hard pass.”
I force myself to pretend his dig doesn’t hurt like hell. “Good.” I straighten my spine and face forward. “Then sitting next to me shouldn’t be such a big deal.”
I’m poking the bear, but I no longer care. It’s clear he isn’t the same Jace. And the asshole who took his place can go fuck himself.
I’m whipping out my tablet so I can take notes when he speaks again.
“You’re right. I just figured you might want to sit next to Oakley.”
Soft snickers fill the classroom. The organ in my chest twists at his betrayal.
Jace kicks the desk on the other side of him, and a groggy Oakley bolts up from his slumber. “Is it