Ruthless Kings - Laura Lee Page 0,42

Davenport. In case you didn’t get the memo, you’ve been canceled. You’re washed-up pussy—nothing more.” Bentley levels all three girls with a look so fierce, I want to cringe. “That applies to all three of you.”

Goddamn, I’m so used to happy-go-lucky Bentley, I almost forgot he could be so callous. It’s kind of jarring. And maybe a little hot.

Obviously, I have a problem.

As if they choreographed it ahead of time, Peyton and her sidekicks gasp dramatically, flip their hair over their shoulders, and stomp away with a huff. Man, they’re freakishly in sync.

“Thanks, Bentley.”

He pulls me into a hug. “Anytime, bae.”

I chuckle. “Do people even say bae anymore?”

I feel him shrug before kissing the top of my head. “Don’t care.” He pulls back and gives me a pat on the butt. “Now, get your sexy ass to class.”

I give him a mock salute. "Sir, yes, sir!"

“Smartass.” Bentley jerks his head toward the room I’m supposed to be in. “Unless you wanna ditch and go make out with me, get in there and learn something.”

That kicks my butt into gear. “Learning it is!”

Bentley's laughter echoes down the hall as he walks away. Right before he turns the corner, he looks back as if he can sense me watching, and winks. I shake my head as I step into the class and take a seat at my desk.

What am I going to do with that boy?

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

JAZZ

People have been staring and whispering behind my back all morning. I expected that knowing word would've spread about my attack, but something's off. I'm probably being paranoid, but it almost feels like a coordinated effort. Like they've planned this.

Both guys and girls have been flinging insults at me under their breath. I’ve been propositioned by meatheads or preppy douchebags at least a dozen times.

“Hey, Jasmine. I have a question for you,” Jarod, my physics partner, whispers.

Oh, this should be good. Jarod’s a jock—a baller, I think—and he’s also a colossal dickhead. He’s one of those dudes who thinks he’s God’s gift to women, so he doesn’t handle blows to the ego very well. When I first came to Windsor, Jarod asked me out on a date. When I told him I wasn’t interested, he acted like he was joking, and he’s treated me like shit ever since.

“What, Jarod?”

I glance at the clock and see that we have less than two minutes before the bell rings. Thank fuck.

“I heard something interesting about you, and I wanted to know if it was true."

I arch an eyebrow. “Oh, yeah? What’s that?”

He smiles lasciviously. “I heard that you weren’t really assaulted.” The asshat actually uses air quotes on the last word. “That what really happened was rough sex that went south. They say you're like, a total freak in bed, and you're into blood play."

I’m so shocked, I can’t even form words. I just stare at him like an idiot as he continues.

"You know..." Jarod trails his finger down my forearm, and thankfully, I somehow have the wherewithal to jerk away. "If that's why you turned me down, you should reconsider. I'm up for some kink if that's what you're into."

My heart beats rapidly as images from that night flash through my head. Fuck, my chest hurts. Black spots dance across my vision. I'm too busy trying to ward off a panic attack to respond to Jarod's ridiculous accusation. When the bell rings, the other students can't get out of the room fast enough, but I'm frozen.

Jarod stands up and leans into my ear, completely oblivious to my impending meltdown. “You don’t have to answer me right now. Just think about it.”

I take deep breaths as I watch Jarod's cocky ass saunter out of the room, making no effort to leave my table.

Fuck.

I need to get myself together. I refuse to let them own me like this. I control my emotions—not any of these Windsor assholes or my would-be rapists. I continue my breathing exercises.

In...and out. In...and out. In...and out.

“Miss Callahan, is everything all right?” our teacher, Mrs. Nguyen, inquires. “Miss Callahan?”

I blink, looking toward the front of the room where her desk sits. “What?”

She rounds her desk and sits on the edge. “I asked if you were okay. You look...pale. Do you need a pass to the health room?”

I’ve never been pale a day in my life, but I get the point.

I take a few more deep breaths for good measure and shake my head. “No, I’m okay. Just spaced out, I guess.”

She looks skeptical. “If you’re sure...”

“I’m