Saint (Angelview Academy #1) - E.M. Snow Page 0,36
class with my head held high.
Laurel is the first to notice my boost in confidence, and it calls to her like blood to a hungry shark. “You’re looking rather pleased with yourself, welfare baby,” she sneers, sauntering up behind me as I stretch out in the corner. “I can’t possibly see why, though. If I were you, I don’t think I’d be able to get out of bed in the morning.”
I turn to her with a smirk. Her words don’t sting quite so bad today because I know she’s just jealous and lashing out.
“Laurel, I’ve been meaning to ask, are you always such a bitter cunt or is it just because Angelle won’t let you suck his dick anymore?”
Her eyes go wide and her friends around her all gasp and appear horrified. A couple guys nearby who overheard my comments burst out into laughter.
“Shut your mouth, you nasty slut,” Laurel hisses through her teeth. Her face is bright red and I can read the helpless rage in her eyes. “You don’t know anything—”
“Oh, I know plenty, L.” I cross my arms and lift one eyebrow as I stare her down. “I see the way you hang all over him, no matter how much he ignores you. Sure, you may be good for a quick BJ when he’s bored or can’t find anyone else, but you’ve fallen pretty far from girlfriend status, haven’t you? You’re just a side-piece he calls when his dick hurts and he’s desperate.”
“I’ll ruin you, bitch!” Laurel lunges toward me.
“What’s going on here, ladies?”
She freezes just before she sinks her talons into my upper arms, and we both turn to find Saint and Gabe strolling toward us. Gabe appears to be barely containing his laughter, his green eyes shimmering with amusement, and Saint looks as arrogant as ever, his shrewd gaze quickly taking in me and his ex.
“Saint,” she breathes, turning to fully face him. “Babe, you need to do something about this bitch. Do you know what she just said to me?”
“Pretty sure the whole gym just heard her,” he drawls in a dry voice. Gabe chuckles and shakes his head. “Fuck off, L.”
Her smug grin dies on her lips and her blond bob swishes around her face when her head snaps back. “Wait, are you talking to me?” He bobs his head slowly, and Laurel’s face drains of color. She stares at him, dumbstruck. “Wh-what? Why should I—”
He levels her with a glare that makes me shiver. “I said. Fuck. Off.”
Stiffening her spine, Laurel churns her teeth. “Fine. I was done with this cunt anyway.”
Shooting me a death stare, she turns and storms away, her posse of Trust Fund Barbie’s in tow. I’m left alone with Saint and Gabe, and I’m feeling slightly less confident than before.
“Can I help you?” I snap, my eyes bouncing between the two.
Saint’s lips curl at the corners. God, why does this evil bastard have to look so good when he does that? “Getting a little cocky, are we, Ellis?”
Playing with the hem of my t-shirt, I shrug. “Just putting your girl in her place.”
“You better be careful,” Gabe says, stepping forward and leaning his elbow on Saint’s shoulder. “Laurel may be a bitch, but she’s a vindictive one. She’ll make you pay for humiliating her.”
I blink, my head spinning. Why is he giving me a warning? Wouldn’t Laurel taking her wrath out on me make both of their days? Besides, what can she do that she hasn’t already done?
“Whatever, she doesn’t scare me,” I murmur. “Hell, she should be scared of me. Maybe you all should.”
“I don’t think that’ll ever happen, sweetheart,” Gabe laughs as Saint steps closer and pinches my chin between his fingers, tilting my face up so I’m forced to meet his gaze.
“Watch your ass, Ellis. If Laurel kills you, I’ll lose my favorite toy. That’ll really piss me off.”
It’s hard to breathe or think clearly when he’s so close to me. I rip my chin from his grasp and take a step back. His grin is wicked, as if he knows what’s going through my head, but he keeps the distance I’ve put between us.
“Like I said, I’m not scared of her.”
Mr. Norris blows his whistle at that moment, and I send up a silent prayer of thanks. I shove past Saint and Gabe and hurry to line up for the day’s instruction, putting as much space between us as I can manage.
I’ve almost forgotten about Laurel’s threat when I step out of the shower