before me.
Swallowing, I say, “You’re sure you don’t need an ambulance? I’m a terrible nurse.”
He grunts. “I have been beaten way worse. I only hit my head. Anytime you hit your head it bleeds. Trust me, it looks worse than it is.”
“If you say so.” I take a shallow breath. The bathroom is clean, thank goodness, minus the blood. God, it’s all over the white floor. What do I do?
As if he can read my mind, he interrupts my manic thoughts. “Here, Pretty. Help me to my feet.”
Jumping at the chance to be useful, I let him grab hold of my hand. “Go slow and hold on to me.” Puffing out some air, he seems steady. More than steady, he is stiff and angry.
“Can you walk?”
“I’ll be fine. Give me a second.” He’s taller than me but almost as skinny. He’s the most delicate boy I’ve ever seen. I mean Reed and Jax are beautiful, but they are big, tall, and masculine-looking. This boy is just plain pretty, with his black hair and dark eyes.
He smiles, and I see straight white teeth.
“Well, at least he didn’t hit your mouth and mess up those pretty teeth.” Can’t help myself—he is that handsome.
He shrugs. “You saved me. I will be forever in your debt.”
“Stop it. I hardly saved you. I almost tripped over you. By the way, you could have a concussion.” I chew on my bottom lip.
“Don’t worry. I have a whole team that will fix me up. Do you know who I am?”
“Kind of, I mean when you came here a couple months ago, I heard the rumors.”
Nodding, he says, “Well, they are mostly true, so you can see why I don’t want a hospital. But if I can use your phone? I should probably call one of my guys before I pass out.” He rubs his wounded head.
I must be pale because the guy tells me to breathe.
“I’m kidding.” He chuckles, gently taking my phone from my numb, cold hand.
He speaks what I think is Spanish into the phone, then hands it back to me.
He stares silently at me for a moment. “I’m Brance. My people are on the way.”
“Good, that’s good. Who did this to you?” Looking toward the door, I wonder if I should lock it. “Should we call the cops? I saw the guy leave here, but I didn’t see his face.”
“Fuck no, definitely no cops. I will have one of my dad’s guys take care of him, maybe.” He snorts as though disgusted. “He begs me to suck his cock and afterward freaks out because he loved it.”
“Oh my God… that’s well… I don’t know what to say.” I have my hands on my cheeks because they’re on fire.
He smiles. “Come on, Pretty Girl, help your new friend to the curb. One of my bodyguards should be waiting.”
“Oh… okay, are you sure I shouldn’t go get them? I mean are you all right to walk?”
“I can make it.”
I nod. “I’m Tess, by the way.” Biting my bottom lip hard, I taste coppery blood.
“I know who you are.”
We walk slowly as curious looks are thrown our way. But no one approaches us or asks if we need help. Jesus, this school. The rich are grotesque and that includes their offspring—our oh-so-elite student body. We make it outside and two men are waiting. One of them gently takes Brance, then turns toward me.
“Thank you,” he says, getting into the driver’s seat.
“Wait!” I call out, needing to make sure they take proper care of him. “Listen… he hit his head on a sink. Please make sure he doesn’t have a concussion.”
The man cocks his head at me confused and turns to listen to Brance from the back. His brown eyes take me in. “Mr. Martinez is inviting you over to his place. That way you can tell his physician exactly what you saw.”
“Oh, well…” Hesitating, I look toward the gymnasium. “My boyfriend is inside,” I say, pointing behind me. Reed will freak if I’m gone. But poor Brance needs me, and for the first time, the thought of having my very own friend, besides Reed and Jax, is almost too intoxicating. Without thinking of the consequences, I open the door to the limo and climb in, sitting opposite Brance.
He is leaning his head back, his eyes closed.
“So, you decided to be your own woman, huh?”
“I have no idea what you mean.” Pulling my phone out, I text Reed. “Where are we going? I need to tell him.”
He sits