I’d felt like one of them. Until ten minutes later when I saw Macaulay making out with his real date, Sarah McKrinsky. Jason had taken great pleasure in telling me the truth, smirking down at me with Cameron and Asher flanking his side like evil lieutenants. I could have run out of there with tears in my eyes and my heart in tatters, but I didn’t. Because Jason underestimated me. He failed to realize that every time he toyed with me, every time he tried to beat me down, it only made me stronger. And my walls were so impenetrable now, I wasn’t sure there was anything more he could do to hurt me.
Much to my step-brother’s annoyance, I’d stayed at the dance that night. Flick and her date were more than happy to let me play third wheel and we’d danced and laughed until the music died and the lights came up. Macaulay had even apologized; saying he felt bullied into going along with it. After all, you didn’t tell Jason Ford no. Even then, at the tender age of fourteen, people treated him differently because of his talent on the field. Because of his father’s legacy. Ninth-graders rarely had college scouts come out to see them, let alone ask for a verbal commitment to their school, but Jason did. I soon realized it was only going to get worse as he got older. Ignoring him wasn’t going to work, so I had no choice but to step up and play his games.
It was hardly any surprise when I never got asked out again.
“I know, I know.” Flick sighed. “I just worry about you. I know he’s never taken it too far, but something feels different this year.”
She wasn’t wrong. I felt it too. The change. The shift in the air.
But what choice did I have?
This was my school, my life, and I’d be damned if Jason Ford stole that from me too.
Cameron
I left Asher and Jase in the gym with the excuse I had to meet with the guidance counsellor. I didn’t, but they didn’t need to know that. The halls were empty as I made my way to the art studio. Hailee had a free period which meant there was only one place she would be. So it was hardly a surprise when I found her in one of the smaller rooms. The door was ajar and I slipped inside, closing it behind me. It was a risk coming here, but no one would dare question me. And if anyone did run their mouths, I’d spin it to my advantage. Say I was doing Jase a favor, warning her to back off.
Hailee was straddling a chair, her back to me. Her dark blonde hair was pulled up in a messy bun, strands falling around her face as she swiped the paintbrush against the canvas in long angry strokes. Every now and again, she paused, inclining her head, revealing the delicate slope of her neck. The oversized shirt she wore—no doubt to protect her clothes underneath—combined with her black framed glasses, shouldn’t have looked so appealing on her. But it did. It looked as sexy as fuck.
She chose that exact moment to pull out the ear buds I hadn’t noticed she was wearing. Hailee’s shoulders stiffened as if she sensed me, and she glanced over her shoulder. “Get out.” Her voice was cold, her eyes not much warmer as they locked on mine.
Throwing up my hands in surrender, I said, “I come in peace.”
“Do you take me for a complete fool?”
The verdict was out on that. The way she’d flipped Jason and Asher’s little prank earlier was reckless. Amusing as shit, but reckless all the same.
“I’m here to run damage control.”
“Damage control?” Her brow shot up, and Hailee swung her leg off the chair to stand up and face me. “We’re not friends,” she said lifting her chin in defiance, and my dick twitched.
Jesus, this girl made me crazy.
“No, we’re not.” But there had been a time when I’d wanted that—to be her friend.
Fuck, I shouldn’t have come here. Scrubbing a hand over my face, I released a frustrated breath.
“What do you want, Cameron?” Hailee folded her arms over her chest, cocking her hip to one side. “I’m busy.”
“You need to back down, Sunshine,” I said, and her honey-brown eyes flashed with contempt. Damn this girl. This stubborn reckless girl. I hadn’t realized but I’d started moving toward her as if she was reeling me in with some