on me.
“I’m sorry, Miss Valentine. It looks like your summer vacation will be starting a little late.” She touched my shoulder gently before walking back to the front of the class and resuming the lesson that she wouldn’t bother grading.
I sighed, relieved that she hadn’t taken my phone, and texted Wren.
I got detention. I hope you’re happy.
Twenty-minutes later, the bell rang, and I still had no response from Wren. As the teacher wished us a good summer, we all filed out to head to our last class of the year.
The volume in the hall was louder than usual even though there was significantly less traffic. The seniors all skipped and most of the lower classmen with them. Even goody-two-shoes Eliza had faked a cold and stayed home in bed. My attendance today, including my perfect attendance over the past few weeks, was one of the conditions of my advancement to senior year. If it weren’t for Wren, I would have dropped out a year ago. He insisted I stay in school, and as always, I couldn’t find it in my heart to resist him. If only…
I shook the thought off just as I felt a punishing grip on my arm. I didn’t get a chance to see who it was until they pulled me into the nearest empty classroom.
“What the hell is your problem?” I ripped my arm away and rubbed the spot knowing there would probably be a mark. I wasn’t as worried about the bruise as I was explaining it to an already irate Wren. I knew he wouldn’t waste the opportunity to come around barking orders after the conversation we’d had. After staying away for two weeks, raising his blood pressure was the only way to get his attention. He was stubborn, but I was determined.
“Why haven’t you returned any of my texts?”
I hid my blush behind a glare. Dean Daniels was the entire hot guy package—blond, blue-eyed, chiseled jaw, and charming smile. He was also rumored to be the school’s first pick for quarterback next year. With those arms and pecs, it was easy to see why. Dean looked and acted like your average boy next door only way hotter and way cooler. And…he had a huge crush on me. No one knew why, least of all me.
Crossing my arms over my chest, I casually leaned against the door as if my heart weren’t racing. “It’s a little impossible to return what I didn’t get.”
“You expect me to believe that?” he shot back.
“Do you see me giving you any other choice?”
He glared at me for a few seconds longer before dropping his gaze and smiling shyly at the floor. “I’m sorry for being a dick. It’s just that you confuse me, Lou. Girls usually treat me like their world revolves around me. You don’t seem to care if I exist in yours or not.”
“I…care.”
“Really? You don’t sound too sure.”
I frowned knowing he wasn’t just insecure. Dean was nice, crazy hot, and he didn’t hurt innocent people for a living. I should have been one of those girls who drew hearts around our names in my notebook or sighing every time he passed me in the hall. Why wasn’t I? It wasn’t as if his attention had zero effect on me. I’d have to be blind. However, all I truly felt was flattered. Unfortunately, flattery wasn’t enough to get him in my pants. Thank God.
“I don’t want to get my hopes up,” I said placatingly. “You just broke up with Cora, and you’ve been with her forever. Are you sure it’s over?” Besides the fact that Cora still blamed me for her slightly crooked nose, I wasn’t in any rush to give her more ammunition to hate me by dating her ex-boyfriend. I wasn’t the least bit afraid of her, but I preferred keeping my head down. A lion on the hunt wouldn’t let their prey see them before the kill.
Just as the bell rang, Dean reached out and pulled me close. Dropping my arms, I let him press me against his chest, and I tilted my head back since he towered over me. He was even taller than Wren, making me wonder why he didn’t go for basketball instead of football. At his height, he could probably just drop the ball in the basket.
“She’s catty, self-centered, and not all that bright. Trust me. It’s over.”
He leaned down, and I knew right then he was going to kiss me. Suddenly, my hands were shaking as they fisted