bully of Hartsville skatepark, and the main reason I never skated at night in high school. He starts walking toward me, and I glance at the three others. I don’t recognize them as his entourage from high school. Tanner and his two buddies from Hartsville tormented Levi, my best friend from elementary and middle school. When Levi moved away, they tried to torment me too.
As the others put out their cigarettes and start to move toward me as well, I hold my ground. Maybe I should turn and rush back inside, but even as a stab of fear hits me square in the chest, something inside me refuses to run.
Tanner is grinning, and while I doubt he’s changed, I realize that I have. Whether stupid or brave, in this moment, I don’t want to run from potential danger.
My spine straightens as Tanner gets closer.
He shakes his head. “Always acting too good for us. Now look at you.”
“It’s nice to see you, Tanner.”
His new friends join him. “This is Jordan Slattery? She’s hotter online.”
“It’s the jacket, man. What’s underneath it? Remember that halter top shot?” one guy asks.
Another whistles. “When she shows skin, she’s hot.”
“I see you made some quality new friends,” I tell Tanner, trying like hell to keep my cool.
The side of his mouth lifts in a cruel smirk, and I know he’s about to deliver a meaningful insult.
“And I see you were just biding your time. Waiting to spread your legs for guys who could give you sponsorships and get you into competitions. So, which one did you give it up for first? Griffin Perry or Beckett Steele?”
That headache that was coming on earlier erupts as I struggle for a retort. Before I can open my mouth, a vaguely familiar voice responds from behind the guys who are now caging me against the wall.
“And I see you haven’t grown up much since middle school.”
My jaw drops as a much taller, much larger version of my old friend shoves his way through until he’s standing beside me. I hardly register the other guy with him, who takes my other side.
My eyes are glued to Levi, whose lower voice isn’t the only thing different about him. He’s grown a full foot, towering over the rest of us at somewhere near six and a half feet.
Levi stares down Tanner and his buddies. “Still trying to make yourself feel bigger by picking on people you’re jealous of, I see. With a new group of insecure guys to help you.”
One of the said insecure guys starts to defend himself, but Tanner takes a menacing step forward. Somehow, it doesn’t seem as menacing anymore though. The Levi I remember never would have stood up to Tanner, especially not when we’re outnumbered.
“And I see you’re still daydreaming about sucking dick and taking it up the ass.” His friends snicker but Levi only smiles like he’s totally unaffected.
“No, I don’t have to daydream about it anymore.”
“And he usually likes to be on top,” the guy beside me adds, and when I glance over at him, my eyes widen. With maybe one exception, the blond on my other side is the most good-looking dude I’ve ever seen.
“Hey!” Wyatt shoves past Tanner, Phoebe right behind him. “What’s going on out here? Oh shit! Levi?”
Levi nods. “Hey man. You comin’ from Alice’s place?”
“Alice? Yeah. That’s where you’re headed? Wait, are you a student here?”
Levi smiles and glances over my head to the hottie beside me. “I am now. Just transferred.”
“Yeah, to get his dick sucked by this pansy,” Tanner taunts.
Wyatt doesn’t even acknowledge the peanut gallery behind us. We got so used to ignoring Tanner and his groupies in high school, guess it’s still second nature to Wyatt.
“Come on!” Phoebe bounces between us. “Let’s head in! It’s freezing out here!”
Wyatt throws an arm around her. “Told you to put a jacket on, babe.” But we’re already moving, the five of us brushing right past Tanner, even as his friends continue calling insults.
The door shuts behind us, and my head reminds me it’s not done screaming at me yet.
Phoebe’s concerned face is in front of mine. “You okay, Jo Jo?”
“Was Tanner going to this party too? Are they coming in?” I glance behind me to the door.
“Kinda hope they do. I’ve been wanting to punch that guy for years,” Levi says.
“He’s not worth it,” the hottie says. “I’m Devon, Levi’s boyfriend, by the way.”
We introduce ourselves, but Devon seems to already know who we are.
Levi faces us. “Guys, I’m sorry