The Envy of Idols (Rich Boys of Burberry Prep #3) - C.M. Stunich Page 0,108

makes Tristan look like a pussycat. I have a feeling, though, that Zayd wasn’t just talking about the guy’s gumshoeing skills when he warned me about him.

Myron Talbot has violence etched into every feature.

I’m guessing the only thing that’s keeping him in check is Tristan Vanderbilt.

“They’re being expelled?” I repeat, and Tristan smiles, glancing over at me.

“Taking out the trash, one bag at a time.” He turns toward me and then reaches down, sliding a finger across my collarbone and stealing my breath away. “Next year, I don’t want you to worry about anything. I’ve still got a ways to go with Harper, but there’s always the summer.”

“It’s not like we can’t finish the list next year,” I say, wrinkling my brow and giving him a look. Tristan puts his hand on the top of my head, ruffles up my hair in a distinctly un-Tristan-like way, and then turns to head for Tower Three. Lizzie trails behind him, giving me a half-smile as she passes, and frankly, I’m relieved to see Myron go with them.

“I don’t like that guy,” Zack says, appearing from the direction of the chapel building with Windsor by his side. Looking at him, I still have a hard time believing that he went down on me, that he slid into me from behind. His brown eyes swing my way, like he knows exactly what I’m thinking about and finds it amusing.

Swallowing hard, I tuck my fingers in the pockets of my blazer and try to act casual.

“Myron?” I ask, and Zack nods.

“Don’t worry about him,” Creed drawls, waving his hand dismissively. “He’s Tristan’s pet. I’d only worry if our illustrious king drops the leash.” He sighs and looks down at me, cocking his head to one side as I lift up my list and stare down at it. Three more names to cross off. Fantastic. “It’s getting dark. Maybe we should collect our stuff and head back to my place to finish up?”

“Right,” Zack growls as Windsor narrows his eyes on both of them. “You just want her to come up to study? I call bullshit.”

“Why don’t you let me and Marnye worry about that?” Creed asks, as Zayd scowls, reaching up to ruffle his hair. It’s sea green again. He dyed it sometime during spring break and showed up with it like that. Pretty sure I squealed and threw my arms around his neck. I’m kind of attached to that color now.

“How about Marnye comes up with me, and we finally get it on?” Zayd says, lighting up a cigarette and giving me a wink. He dances out of the way when I try to pluck it from his lips, and I sigh. I put my hands on my hips and stare him down. After a few puffs, he sighs dramatically and then hands it over to me, watching sadly as I tap it out against the stone ground, and then throw it away. “You’re such a shithead,” he murmurs, but he says it so affectionately that it doesn’t bother me.

“I’m going to go back to my room now,” I tell them all, lifting an eyebrow. “And I’m going to read some of my gauche manga books, and then take a nap. None of you should have time for sex, not with finals around the corner. Third year’s the most important when it comes to getting into college, and I’m off to Bornstead if it kills me.”

I attempt a hair flip, fail, and then saunter off in my shiny kitten heels, and hope I look hot as fuck.

Probably not, but, you know, it was worth a try.

A few weeks later, when I seriously feel like I have nothing left to give back to the monster that is the brutal Burberry Prep academics schedule, I find Zayd asleep in the library. He’s lying facedown on his notebook, a pen still clutched loosely in his tattooed hand. Carefully, I pull it out and pack up his things for him.

Then I gently shake his shoulder in an attempt to wake him up.

“He’s out, isn’t he?” Miranda asks, chuckling behind me. But even her laughter is diminished in quality. We’re all so tired, overwhelmed, stressed out. I don’t know if I can beat Tristan this year. I’m trying. You bet your ass I’m trying with everything I’ve got, but maybe I’ve overextended myself a bit?

“Hey.” I shake Zayd a little harder, and he lifts his head up, this sleepy, groggy mess. He’s so damn cute, with his mussed green