Sighing, I grabbed my backpack and descended the bleachers while hanging my head. With a gentle smile, Coach put a hand on my shoulder to steer me towards the wrestling boys. I swallowed hard when they got each other with vicious blows. But what I found odd was as soon as I got within a few feet, their punches slowed and appeared to have less strength behind them. Until Kyler stopped with his fist inches from Riff’s nose. His arm shook for a moment before it dropped, and he growled while turning his furious gaze upon me.
“You take one step towards Angel, boy, and I will deliver you to Marcus with a shiny bow around your neck,” Coach Hauser warned with an angry expression. I glanced at him in confusion, but he only smiled and shook his head. “Someday, Angel, but not today.” Sighing, I nodded my acceptance and kept myself from attempting to put any of these puzzle pieces together. I could make an excellent guess, but I refused to try it.
“I understand, and I agree that I’m not ready. I shouldn’t learn any secrets until I know I can stay,” I whispered. Kyler had looked away, but he snapped his head back to stare at me with something unreadable in his eyes.
“What? Got to move on to find a new sugar daddy?” He sneered, and I shook my head, lowering my gaze to hide the tears burning my eyes. Why did his words cut so deep?
“No,” I answered once I had myself under control, raising my gaze to stare him down. “The reason I leave is none of your business, hotshot.” With that, I turned on my heel and stalked towards the school. The less I interacted with Kyler, the better.
I waited for Riff outside the locker rooms, and he smiled with relief when he saw me, throwing his arm over my shoulders. “Want to know a secret?” He teased, and I grinned while glancing at him. “We have the same last class.”
“Really?” I asked. I bounced on the balls of my feet a little when he nodded with a broad smile, giggling, and he quirked his brow. “What? I enjoy having classes with you. You feel safe,” I admitted while staring at the ground. Chuckling, Riff cocked his head to the side before placing a tender kiss on my forehead.
“Don’t forget that while you finished your other homework, you still have me,” he breathed, and my cheeks burned. Shaking my head after a moment, I rose on my toes to kiss his cheek, and he stumbled a step. Smiling, I walked ahead of him, giggling when he started after me. I scurried until I noticed Riff’s long legs were closing the distance between us, then I ran through the halls while laughing.
Panting, I made it into our last class while laughing breathlessly and ducked behind the door. My smile died when I discovered Kyler sprawled at a desk in the back. His eyes narrowed, and he growled when Riff slid to a stop a few feet from me. Riff sneered in return, turning his head to look at me and grinning with a laugh. “You can run all you want, but you still have to do me,” Riff announced smugly.
Rolling my eyes, I scoffed only to jump with my heart pounding in my chest when a loud thump came from Kyler’s direction. I blinked when I saw Kyler’s fist on the table and furrowed my brow. What did he care? “Uh-huh,” I replied with a snooty tone, “figures I would get assigned the worst homework since I’m the latecomer to show choir.”
“The worst?” Riff echoed with a playful glint in his eye.
“Oh yes,” I decreed, sticking my nose in the air haughtily while struggling not to laugh. Our playful banter lightened my heart and warmed my soul.
“Hah! You’re a pity case,” Riff taunted, and I snorted.
“It’s not nice to talk about yourself like that, Riffraff,” I scolded in a teasing tone, and laughter filled his eyes. I believe he noticed what I did there.
“You’re one to talk, street rat,” Riff mocked with silent laughter shaking his body. Laughing, I tilted my head to the side and met his gaze with a pleased smile. I love that he played along.
“I don’t buy that, in fact, I don’t shop at your market,” I replied casually with a grin. If we can do this now, what will happen after we spend more time together?
“If only you would look closer at the wares, you might find something you like,” he mused with a broad smile. Shaking his head, Riff’s eyes twinkled while he watched me, and I chuckled.
“Oh? I’m pretty sure I would see a poor boy peddling junk,” I disagreed with a snort. I loved our little play battle. I don’t recall ever having this much fun at school.
“No siree,” Riff scoffed, “you would see a wonderland waiting to be discovered.” He set the toe of his right boot beside the outside of his left heel and crossed his arms. It was an intriguing balance act that my fingers itched to sketch.
“I’d find out many secrets?” I asked dubiously. Rising on my toes, I locked my fingers together behind my back and leaned forward with a chuckle.
“You would learn there’s so much more to what you see,” Riff corrected with a broad grin.
“Will you stop flirting,” Kyler snarled, and I flinched, wincing when my back spasmed at the sudden movement. “It’s disgusting.” Eyes twinkling, Riff kissed my cheek, and I ducked my head, my fingers wrapping around his forearms when he grabbed my hips.
“Ignore him,” Riff chuckled in my ear, and I shivered when his breath tickled my skin. “He’s jealous. See, you snarl and bite him, but purr for me.” I eyed him dubiously but sighed before smiling at the dork. It somewhat made sense, but I didn’t want to understand. Not yet. So, I accepted it.
A soft chuckle had me looking at the desk in the room’s front, and my cheeks burned upon discovering a handsome male in his early twenties watching us. I found it intriguing that his feet rested on the edge of his desk, crossed at the ankle. “That was quite the little performance. I cannot wait for the debut of our newest show choir pair. I am Mr. Renard, and I am your biology teacher. Although, I’m certain you have the gist of it down.” He threw his head back to laugh when my cheeks burned even hotter. “I’m afraid you must be my buffer, Angel Draven. You’ll sit between your partner and growly face over there.”
A chill raced along my spine, and I gulped, which had his face softening. “I’d put you elsewhere, but I see the tension between them, and they’ll kill each other if I don’t,” Mr. Renard sighed with a concerned frown.
“I will not sit by that trash,” Kyler snarled, and I flinched, staring at the ground because of the fury in his voice.
“Fine,” Mr. Renard shrugged, “move seats then.” Smirking, Kyler stood while Mr. Renard tilted his head with a sly grin. “But, for every day you sit other than where I assigned you, every single thing we do, you will fail. Tests, homework, classwork, all zeros.” Kyler’s expression froze, and I glanced between them. “You have forgotten that I don’t belong to your father, boy. Good luck bossing me around. In fact, since you tried, you owe me an essay on why trying to exert power over our elders is a terrible idea. I expect it tomorrow.”
Riff snickered, although his expression became neutral when Kyler glanced at him with a soft growl. Riff shifted his stance, looking like he was ready for a fight for several moments until he paled. In the next moment, he was on his knees, clutching his head and gritting his teeth. “Riff!” I cried, kneeling beside him to place my hand on his forehead.
Sighing after a tense moment, Riff relaxed, leaning his head on my shoulder after flashing me a grateful grin. What the hell? Feeling cold, I looked over my shoulder to discover Kyler sneering with hatred burning in his eyes. Scowling, I glared back, and he took a step back in surprise. I didn’t know what Kyler did, but I did not doubt he had something to do with what happened to Riff. Either he pushed him too far or stressed him out. Kyler recovered from his shock and growled. Furious, and done with his weird shit, I growled back.
Kyler stopped and sort of fell into his chair. Snorting, I returned my attention to Riff, only realizing once the tardy bell rang that the doorway was full of students. “Is it still a war zone in there, or can we come in?” The other boy who was with Kyler yesterday asked with a friendly smile. He had his arms braced against the doorframe, preventing anyone from entering.
&n
bsp; “Miss Draven has declared and enforced peace, so come on in,” Mr. Renard chuckled with amusement. Nodding, the boy came into the room while the rest of our class filed in behind him. He was beside me a moment later, offering me a hand to help me stand.
“We haven’t met yet, I am Char, and I’m sorry about yesterday. Won’t happen again, promise,” the boy murmured with a soft smile. His eyes were a stunning smoky gray, and his hair was an ashen brown. He looked adorable, although he gave me a bit of a trouble vibe. I smiled, taking his hand, and he grinned wickedly when he towered over me. “Oh, we shall be best friends, won’t we?” He asked with a quirked brow, and I nodded. Nodding as well, he held out his hand, and I gulped before shaking my head.
“I don’t use my phone for anything other than emails,” I informed him in a quiet voice, and he nodded. Well, at least he didn’t get angry or accusatory, so I read him correctly.
“Well then, I shall pick up one that you can use for texting and such. Whatever your reason is, it won’t apply to one from me, will it?” Char asked casually. So, I was right, he had a rich bad boy aura.
Shaking my head, I dropped my gaze and muttered, “I refuse to accept such a gift.” Hah. No buying expensive, unnecessary things for me. I’m not worth them.
“Pity I know where you work and will just leave it there for you so you can either use it or let someone else steal it. I’ll still pay for it either way,” he sighed with a smirk before heading to his seat. You! This isn’t over, Char! He grinned, taking his place at the table in front of mine, and I grumbled while taking my seat.
“You are now my partner in crime,” Riff informed Char with a grin once he was in his chair, and the boy threw his head back laughing. Nodding, he winked before turning his gaze to the front of the room when the bell signaled the start of class. Great. Now trouble one and two are friends. Lovely. Ah, well, I have friends, so I won’t lie and say that I’m not pleased with a warm fuzzy feeling in my chest.
I sighed when once more, this school turned out to be behind my previous one and scowled at the table. Learning what you already know is annoying. I enjoyed the challenge of new subjects, not studying the same material. At least I had two classes I liked, so I shouldn’t complain.
Kyler vibrated angrily with his left hand a fist on the table mere inches from my right arm. I glanced at him whenever he moved, then returned to writing notes with my left hand once I was sure he wouldn’t break my arm or something. Meanwhile, Riff was relaxed and sprawled in his chair while writing notes with a slight grin. He kissed my forehead whenever he had a chance, and I chuckled each time. Once Mr. Renard began discussing homework and such, I lay my head on Riff’s shoulder with a soft sigh.
We still had a few minutes of class left, so I started on the homework and finished it within moments. Riff stared at my page full of the questions and answers with a frown. “We studied this chapter at my old school, so this was easy for me. Sorry,” I answered his silent question apologetically, and he shrugged with a slight smirk.
“Just means if I need help, I know which gorgeous student to ask for tutoring,” Riff replied casually, and I shook my head while staring him down.
“You’re an idiot,” I announced in monotone, and he laughed. When I returned to the table after handing in my homework, Kyler glared and called me a suck-up under his breath. I bit my tongue to keep from rising to his bait and crossed my arms. Everyone else continued working on their homework until Mr. Renard declared the bell would ring in a minute.
Since I didn’t get any heavy textbooks, I headed out of the school to find Marcus leaning against his car just beyond the sidewalk. He quirked his brow once he saw me coming. I stopped in front of him, swallowing nervously when he frowned and used his fingers to tilt my chin to better inspect my bruises. “Black eye and a broken nose. Not as terrible as I feared, but still unforgivable. Kyler, I assume?” Marcus noted dryly, rolling his eyes and huffing when I nodded. I dropped my eyes after seeing the concern in his and fidgeted. “I will listen to anything you have to say, Angel,” Marcus chuckled after a moment, the warmth in his warm voice wrapping around me.
“I kind of, um, defended a few students,” I mumbled with hot cheeks, and Marcus laughed.
“God, I wish I could have been a fly on the wall for those. I know, without a doubt, you kicked his ass. I bet his expression was hilarious. Come on, kiddo, Ava is beside herself with worry over her adorable little stray,” Marcus chuckled, opening the passenger door for me. With burning cheeks, I got in and hid my face while a laughing Marcus walked around to get in the driver’s seat. After a moment, I chatted about my day, and Marcus listened, raising his brow when I told him what Claire said. He sighed, his fingers tightening on the steering wheel for a moment before he nodded his acceptance of whatever she meant.
When we stopped at the gas station, I gulped before walking in, fearing Ava would fawn. She smiled when she saw me, her expression darkening when she noticed my bruises. “Those heathen bastards!” She snarled, and I took a step back out of fear of her temper.
“Only one, dear,” Marcus corrected with a grin. “Our Angel put him in his place a few times. And had some epic verbal shots too. I’m jealous I missed them.” I shrugged when Ava looked at me with a smile full of pride.
“I couldn’t let him attack anyone,” I admitted, swallowing audibly when Ava softened.
“Of course you couldn’t, sweetheart, and that makes you stronger than the kids who let him hurt you,” Ava replied in a kind voice. I shook my head in denial, which prompted her to chuckle indulgently. “All right, believe what you will, Angel, but you are stronger than everyone in this town. Someday I hope you see that, but your kind doesn’t. It’s your curse, I suppose. You’re always told to be one way because that’s how everyone else is, and they’re jealous because they know you’re better than them without trying.”
Before I could argue, Riff stalked into the gas station, his eyes locked on Marcus, who stiffened with a frown. Shaking his head, he pointed at the break room, and Riff nodded, smiling at me when he passed while an angry Marcus followed. However, Marcus paused a moment to kiss the top of my head before continuing. Ava sighed, crossing her arms and watching them with a slight frown. She smiled after a moment, then patted my head and announced she would head home since I was here for my shift. Ava admitted she worried I might believe she was hovering or doubting my abilities if she hung around. I shook my head in denial, and she smiled but still took her leave.
I frowned, because I needed to clock in, and I didn’t have my vest yet. Biting my lip, I entered the break room only to find it empty and sighed. They must be in the office. That’s fine with me. I retrieved what I needed from my locker and punched in. The store was quiet, so I tidied up for a few minutes only to turn around to discover Riff behind me. Squeaking, I flinched, then gave him a stern frown.
With a gasp, I jerked on his shirt collar to bring his head to my level. He made an odd noise in his surprise, like a mix of a snort and a gasp. It was cute. What wasn’t cute was he had blood on his bottom lip. I touched his chin, and he chuckled, “it’s not mine.”
As he said that, Marcus walked out, drying his hands on a paper towel he tossed into the trash by the soda machines. I scowled while glancing between them, and Riff shook his head with a grin. The blood disappeared from his lip when I looked at Marcus, and the thought of how he got rid of it made my stomach queasy. Ew.
“It’s gross, but for what he came here looking for, it’s necessary,” Marcus sighed. “Still, he’s in trouble for being careless enough to let you see that.” Riff grimaced, looking like a scolded puppy, and I ruffled his hair. He smiled, and Marcus scoffed, although he grinned when I glanced his way. Albeit, he frowned a moment later and growled under his breath. Within moments, the store was full with the rest of the show choir entering along with several of my teachers, other school faculty, and many students I remembered seeing around. “I hate all of you,” Marcus sighed, and they laughed. “Riff, take Angel o
utside for a few minutes, please.”
Bowing his head, Riff grinned and indicated the door. I bristled, and he smiled. Stomping, I left the store knowing I didn’t want to know what Marcus was doing. I refused to let myself think about it because it was none of my business. I sat on the curb, Riff joined me a moment later and chatted about his favorite plays in football. Eyeing him, I asked why he was in choir if he’s a jock, and he laughed. Riff replied that while he liked football, singing brought him joy. And he gave up playing when he reached high school. He used to be on the team, but once they became teenagers, he and Kyler butted heads. So, instead of dividing the team, he resigned in favor of a more beloved pursuit. Other than in gym when he enjoyed giving Kyler a run for his money. He admitted they grew up best friends until they fell apart. Kyler became more interested in chasing every girl he saw, so Riff accused him of being a two-bit whore and focused on singing to put distance between them. And one day, their relationship deteriorated into the broken thing it was now. Neither could stand the other anymore, Riff said Kyler was lost but too stupid to see it. Whereas Kyler thought Riff was a goody-two-shoes who needed to learn to appreciate what the female body offered.
My heart ached when Riff mentioned Kyler’s constant search for new conquests, and I bit my lip. Staring at the ground, I sighed before smiling and murmuring, “maybe Kyler caught a disease that makes his tiny brain hurt if he doesn’t have sex.” Riff blinked for a moment before laughing uproariously, and I sighed, letting my expression become miserable for a few seconds.
Startled, I looked up when Char and Dakota sat on either side of Riff and me with kind smiles. “So, we hear you guys are meeting in the woods this weekend?” Dakota asked with a slight smile.
“Angel likes to draw, as I’m sure you noticed since you share that class,” Riff replied dryly. “She will sketch whoever she wants while we hang at our spot. Come along if you desire, the more the merrier. Plus, Angel will feel terrible if she thinks we left you guys out. Don’t forget to bring Marissa too.” I looked at him in shock, still not used to his uncanny ability for knowing how I feel.
Bouquet of Regret (Angel's Shifters Book 1) Page 8