a set of keys over and over in his hand. “Play nice, Argento. What makes you think I’ll be rubbing shoulders with any of those meatheads?”
“Because that’s how things work around here, okay. If you’re on the team, you are on the team. I can’t help you.”
“You can’t, or you won’t?”
“I won’t.”
“Okay. Fine. But I already paid for my first two lessons. You have to get me started at least.”
God, the gall of this guy. I’ve already put the money he gave me in an envelope. I take it out of my jacket pocket and thrust it at him. “I was gonna slide it into your locker, but I guess this saves me the trouble. Here. Take it back.”
He doesn’t take it back. “That’s not how this works. You agreed to two lessons. I’m getting them.”
I let my hand fall slack. “Jesus, Alex. Why is everything so damned difficult with you? Just take the money and leave me alone, okay. I just want to get through this year, graduate, and get the fuck out of here. Please. You’re making a scene.”
“Two lessons. Then I’ll be out of your hair, and you won’t have to worry about me complicating your plans. I promise.”
“What does it even matter? Do you think I’m gonna change my mind or something? Because I won’t. I will out-stubborn you every step of the way, believe me.”
“Oh, I believe you.”
“Moretti!” The shout rings out across the parking lot. It’s Jake. Every single muscle in my body tenses at the sound of his boisterous voice. Alex frowns when he sees my reaction to the guy, and a dark, ominous look spreads over him.
“Him?” he says.
“Yeah, him. Now, please, just take the money…”
“I’ll see you after school, Argento. Don’t stand me up. You won’t like what happens if you do.”
“Alex. Alex!” It’s too late. He’s jogging off down the steps, towards Jacob and his crew, and my heart is plummeting in my chest like a lead weight. It feels like it’s about to fucking explode when Alex reaches out and accepts Jake’s bro handshake like they’re suddenly the best of fucking friends. My mouth is hanging open.
Horrific timing, really, since Kacey and the girls choose right now to saunter up the steps. My ex-best-friend sneers as she shoulders her way past me. “Catching flies again, Silver? I’d watch out if I were you. One of these guys might find something to slip in there again if you’re not careful.”
The girls all titter like the mindless mannequins that they are. I glare after them, which is the only reason why I catch Halliday looking back over her shoulder, her face the very picture of conflict. At first, I think she’s staring at me. But then, I realize with a sick weight pressing down on my chest, that she’s actually looking at Alex.
11
ALEX
I make nice with the kid who hurt Silver, and it costs me dearly. I fucking hated him before I knew what he did to her, but now…
Now, I want to fucking kill the bastard.
“Leon’s parties are legendary, man,” he tells me, throwing his arm around me as we head inside. “Half the school’s still talking about the last one, and that went down, like, nine months ago. His cousin’s a DJ in L.A. He always comes up here to play a set. There’s plenty of booze, and the girls…” He shakes his head, laughing. “The girls get fucking crazy, man. You’re guaranteed to get laid, no matter who you are. Last time, I fucked three different girls and they were all hot for it.”
He spins a sordid, repulsive tale of Leon Wickman’s spring fling party that took place last year, as I try to make a beeline for History. Unlucky for me, turns out Jake is in my class, so I have to listen to him brag on and on about how some chick was blowing him under a table while he made out with a different girl, who had no idea what was happening.
“There’ll definitely be some action for you there, Moretti, if you’re into it.” My face feels fucking numb. Jacob sits down next to me on the back row. “Any of them caught your eye so far?” he asks, as Mr. Biltmore, a skinny guy with a wispy, half-assed beard begins scribbling something on the chalkboard at the front of the class.
“Hmm?”
I’d ignore Jake if I could, but the motherfucker is persistent. “Any of the girls here in school?” he presses. “You into any of