Trick Me Twice - Becca Steele Page 0,32

social media accounts.

Lies.

Coming to a halt at the bottom of the stairs, my eyes went straight to her. She stood in the foyer with her aunt and my dad, lashes sweeping down, her gaze focused on the floor rather than on me. The familiar burn of anger hit me as I saw her standing there, but it was almost smothered by the need pulsing through my veins. I took her in. Her long, thick hair, hanging down her back instead of up in a ponytail, a black dress that clung to her curves, and down to those boots. The same boots she’d worn at Fright Night. How could I hate and want someone so much? Why the fuck couldn’t I want someone else? Anyone else. Someone my dad didn’t see as perfect, someone who hadn’t lied to me and pretended to be someone she wasn’t.

Eventually she raised her eyes to mine, and the hurt in them, directed straight at me, was clear. It was almost enough to make me feel bad for what I’d done. Almost.

My dad cleared his throat, giving me a pointed glance. Gritting my teeth, I straightened up, slipping on the same polite mask I used around Raine and her aunt, and pasted a smile on my face. So this was why he’d cornered me earlier and instructed me to dress smartly.

“Pam. Raine,” I greeted. “This is an unexpected surprise.” Unexpected and fucking unwanted.

Speaking over me as usual, my dad placed a hand on the small of Raine’s aunt’s back. “Pam, come on through. Delia’s just—” He was interrupted by the loud chime of the doorbell, and a smile spread across his face. A smile that filled me with apprehension.

I soon found out why. Our housekeeper, Joan, appeared with Sanjay Patel in tow. As in, Professor Patel, my English teacher.

“Carter.” He didn’t look all that pleased to see me. Unsurprising really, since we both knew that I was only in his class thanks to the pressure from my parents. Neither of us wanted me there.

“What’s going on?” I addressed my dad. He ignored my question, instead introducing Prof. Patel to Raine’s aunt and making a point of saying how Pam was single. Looking more closely at Raine’s aunt as she stood there giving Prof. Patel a coy smile, it suddenly dawned on me. This was a set-up. Glancing over at Raine, I saw she looked as uncomfortable as I was, wringing her hands and grimacing. Good.

“Carter. Sanjay mentioned that your essay is due next week. I don’t need to remind you how important it is that you keep your grades up.” I was aware of the deathly silence that suddenly filled the space. How fucking dare he call me out like that in front of everyone? But he wasn’t finished. “I’ve spoken to Pam, and we’ve agreed that Raine will study with you tonight. Maybe her good influence will have an effect.” He gave me a smile that was completely fake, his eyes daring me to disagree with him. “You may as well make a start now. You can study in your bedroom. The door is to be kept unlocked. Do I make myself clear?”

“Sounds great,” I managed. “Raine?” It wasn’t worth disagreeing with him. Even though he never got physical with me, he liked to tear me down with his words. That was even worse in a way—he had a way of getting inside my head, twisting me up.

Turning on my heel, I headed up to my room, assuming Raine would follow. I heard the sound of her boots on the wooden stairs behind me, and my jaw clenched. Those boots…she must’ve known they’d be an unwanted reminder of our time together. And now I had to spend time with her in my fucking bedroom, my one safe space.

I pushed the door open, and she followed me in. As I turned to face her, I saw her eyes darting around everywhere, taking everything in. Her gaze landed on my bed, and she pulled her lip between her teeth, a faint blush appearing on her cheeks. She cleared her throat, tearing her gaze away.

“Carter?” She spoke in a soft, hesitant voice.

“Stay the fuck away from me.” The burning anger and betrayal I’d felt ever since she tricked me had intensified, and as much as she’d avoided me, I’d also avoided her, because I was at the point where I didn’t trust myself not to completely lose control. I needed to blow off steam, but my partner in