she pinned me under her glare. She was wearing a badge that read Student Guide, and I realized the geek still lying on the ground must have been new to the academy. When she continued to stare, waiting for me to apologize, I lifted my brow, daring her to try me before casually stepping over the kid I knocked down. I made it two steps before she spoke. Her soft voice had an edge to it that did something unexpected to me.
“Maybe you should open your eyes, and while you’re at it, learn some damn manners, Rees.”
I kept walking even as I peered over my shoulder. The spitfire had already dismissed me. She was bent over, lips pursed disapprovingly as she helped the kid to his feet as if he were a fucking invalid. I studied her while she was distracted and realized I was drawing a blank though something tugged desperately at my memory. The badge made it clear she wasn’t new, so why hadn’t I noticed her before?
Whoever she was, we obviously didn’t run in the same circles.
Frustrated, I shrugged it off, assuming that I’d glimpsed her before but never looked twice. The next time I ran into her, I wouldn’t make the same mistake.
I wondered if that fiery temper of hers would make an appearance when I bent her little ass over and fucked the nerve right out of her. I was Vaughn Rees, star quarterback, and no one, absolutely no one talked to me that way. I didn’t have to question if she knew who I was. Everyone in Blackwood Keep knew what it meant when I entered the room.
In the meantime, I forced the mystery girl from my thoughts as I headed to class. It didn’t escape my notice though that there was an extra pep in my step. It had been a while since I had a challenge. I almost smiled.
Sit tight, baby girl, I’ll be fucking you real soon.
Present
I may not be able to feel regret when it came to Tyra Bradley, but rage was a different story. After twenty minutes of standing in Brynwood’s dark lot with nothing but the crickets and the wind to keep me company, bright headlights washed over me. For a moment, I was frozen, unable to look away from the destruction. My blood was boiling, and I knew if I didn’t calm down soon, I’d break my vow.
Stepping from his G-Wagon, my best friend’s sleepy eyes widened the moment he noticed the reason for my call. I was just lucky that Ever had been home for spring break. “Vaughn!” he yelled as he rushed over. “Are you okay?” Golden eyes scanned my body frantically, his eyebrows dipping further when he realized that I wasn’t hurt. “What the fuck happened?”
I forced a deep breath because if my jaw tightened any further, I’d break a tooth. “She happened.” I didn’t know how or why, but Tyra was here in Blackwood Keep, and the knowledge filled me with adrenaline rather than the panic and dread I expected of my father inevitably finding out. As long as I stayed away from her, she was safe, but the chance of that happening when she so obviously wanted my attention was slim.
Ever’s head swung back and forth in disbelief between me and what was now just a heap of metal before silently whispering, “Fuck.” Shoulder to shoulder, neither of us spoke for several minutes until Ever eventually broke the silence. “It’s not fair,” he mumbled with a shake of his head.
I wasn’t in the mood for his shit, but since his number, besides the bitch who did this, was the only one I could recall, I decided to amuse him. I wasn’t sure anyone else would have come anyway. They’d all taken her side. The irony was that none of them had seen or spoken to her either.
“You’re the only asshole I know who can hit the jackpot by fucking up.”
“How exactly is this winning?” I spat as I gestured toward my totaled Lamborghini. It looked like someone had dropped a goddamn building on it. If I weren’t so pissed, I’d be impressed. How the hell did she do it? The cheeky bitch had even left a red Christmas bow on the crushed roof along with a four-letter word written in lipstick on the hood.
Liar.
My fists balled at my side while Ever rubbed his chin, studying what was once my car. “Because Jamie made a remark that I thought was ridiculous until I