Rich Prick – Tijan Page 0,66

got some…”

Zeke relented, his hand dropping from the door handle. His head rested against the headrest. “She’s got some hang-ups. I get it. And you were worried about me going all fanboy? You think I’d push an angle to use your woman or something?”

I gave him a look.

Zeke’s face got hard. “Dude. Seriously? I don’t give a fuck about them. They ain’t you. They ain’t someone who’s made you smile. I can be normal, you know.” He cursed under his breath, looking out his window. “I mean, I get it. The reason I like Mason Kade so much is because you took off. Mentors and shit—I don’t have one. You anchor me. No one anchored me when you were gone, but the idea of…how not to be? Mason Kade provided that. It’s why I look up to him so much. That make sense?” He cursed again, looking embarrassed. “Look, whatever. You don’t have to worry about me. It’s cool who she is, but that’s it. I know you heard us, and I meant what I said to her. As long as she takes care of you, I won’t be a dick to her.”

“Got it. Thanks.” My voice felt strained.

This had quickly gotten to be too much talking, too much sharing. Both of us cleared our throats. I expected a comment about someone’s pussy to break the mood, but instead I got: “Daniels hit on me.”

I expelled some air. “I forgot about that situation.”

“I handled it. I won’t touch her. I wouldn’t do that to you, but she’s rallying. You gotta know that.”

“I forgot. I’ve had my own crap, you know?” I turned onto the highway that’d take us to Roussou.

“I know.”

We drove in silence.

We were ten minutes out when he asked, “What are you going to do?”

“She said she and the girls were going to go after Aspen. So I guess keep Aspen away?”

“We got three months of summer. I don’t want to not hang out with my best friend.”

I didn’t want that either. “I’ll figure it out.”

He nodded, and we finished the drive in silence.

I’d never been to the Roussou pizzeria, but the place was busy when we pulled in. Inside, Roussou students were everywhere, and conversation stalled at the sight of us.

“Should I call the guys?” Zeke lowered his voice.

Seeing who had gathered around a table in the back, I wasn’t sure.

“Nah,” I told him. Fuck whatever was going to happen. If we busted heads, fine by me. I’d not let myself think much about last night, about what my brother and his friends had found out, but screw them. I wouldn’t let myself walk scared, even if we were in their town.

I went to the counter and put in Aspen’s order.

The girl was taking it down when suddenly her head popped up. “Is this for Aspen Monson?”

I almost bugged out. “Yes, and keep it down about her name.”

Her eyes got big. “Oh! Oh. Sorry. I—no one else orders that pizza. Cilantro, mozzarella, caramelized onions, Roma tomatoes, and pineapple aren’t ordered everyday. With an egg in the middle of the pie.” She looked me over and then moved to Zeke before telling us our total. Once I paid, she printed off my receipt and handed it over. “I like Aspen. That’s all.”

I eyed her, putting the receipt in my pocket. “Who are you?”

“Ava, but Aspen wouldn’t know me. I’ve just been here when she picked up her pizza.”

Oh. Well. Then I was fine with this Ava girl.

“Yeah. She’s cool.”

Ava handed the order to the guys in the back and returned. She cocked her head to the side. “Are you her boyfriend or something?”

Zeke barked out a laugh.

Her eyes grew noticeably unfriendly.

He just laughed harder.

From the side, I heard a voice. “Ava, it’s cool.”

Ava looked. I looked.

Bren, my brother’s girlfriend, stood glaring at us. “He actually cares about her.” She raised her chin, her eyes cold. “And he better be good to her, or I’ll slice him.”

I smirked back, noting Cross behind her. “Keep your woman in check, brother. She’s showing her fangs. If she keeps at it, I’m going to think she’s jealous. Wouldn’t want to start thinking she wants to be me or have my hands—”

I was interrupted by a fist across my face.

And that’s why I’d said it.

Maybe I’d started to get the itch when Aspen said her favorite pizza place was in Roussou. Maybe the idea had begun to form then and grew as we drove. Or maybe it was just always there, nestled under