“Could you be any grumpier?” Skeet retorts, slinging his arm over my shoulder. “Blaire and I are friends, and I’m just being friendly. You should try it sometime.”
Heath chuckles. “I think senior year just got a whole lot more interesting.”
“I should get going,” I say, ignoring all their comments. “I don’t want to be late for my first class.”
“You’re in AP World History with me,” Heath confirms with a slight grimace.
“Why the scowl?” I inquire.
“I’m really behind with studying in that class, and my grades are dropping. My parents are not happy.”
“It’s one of my favorite subjects. I don’t mind studying with you if you think that’d help?”
“Uh, yeah! As if anyone could turn down such a tempting offer,” he says, waggling his brows before slanting a cocky look in Skeet’s direction.
“Let me look at that.” Skeet grabs my schedule from Heath’s hand, quickly taking a photo and texting it to the others. “Now we all have Blaire’s schedule, and we can ensure one of us is with her at all times.”
“Stop, you guys. Seriously. I’m a big girl, and I can handle myself.”
“You’ll be grateful you have us looking out for you,” Skeet continues. “As soon as the male population gets a look at you, they’ll be crawling all over your sexy ass, and, that’ll bring every mean girl out with swinging fists. Trust me, hang with us and we’ll make sure you navigate Kentsville High like a pro.”
“This isn’t my first rodeo,” I admit, opening my locker and shoving some books inside. “And I happen to be pretty handy with my fists too.”
“That kind of statement will not deter him,” Axel supplies, lounging against the side of the wall watching me with that penetrating lens of his.
“I’m not trying to deter anyone,” I reply, banging my locker shut. “I’m just explaining I can defend myself.”
God knows I’ve had to do enough of it the past few months.
“Good to know,” Skeet says, darting in and lightly kissing my slightly bruised cheek. I’ve disguised it with makeup, but it’s still a little sore to the touch. “But we’ve got your back, baby, and we’re going nowhere, so you’d better get used to it.”
Chapter Four
I walk with Heath to class, and he insists I take the seat in front of him. The morning period goes quite fast. Some teachers quietly acknowledge my presence while others force me to introduce myself, which I hate, but I get it done. By the time lunch comes around, I’m used to the inquisitive stares. It makes me hugely uncomfortable, but at least it isn’t openly hostile. It’s more akin to healthy curiosity which I can deal with, and hopefully, the attention will die down soon. The student body is large, so one new student shouldn’t pique interest for too long.
When I leave math class, I’m surprised to find Axel waiting outside. This is the only class I’ve had all morning without one of them in it. He’s leaning with his back against the wall and one leg raised at the knee. A pretty brunette is talking to him, her hand resting possessively on his chest, but he isn’t paying her any attention, staring intently at me as I step out into the hallway.
He pushes off the wall, ignoring the girl, and stalks toward me. “C’mon. The others are holding a table in the cafeteria.” He jerks his head forward, and I step into line beside him, shooting the girl an apologetic look. She glares at me with thinly restrained annoyance.
“I don’t want to piss your girlfriend off. Why isn’t she coming with us?”
He doesn’t look at me as he replies. “She’s no one, and I don’t do girlfriends.”
“Like, not ever?” I inquire.
He brusquely shakes his head, and that’s as much intel as I’m getting. We walk in silence the rest of the way, and I try to memorize my surroundings and ignore the envious looks and heated stares leveled in my direction.
A shrill whistle rings out the second we step foot in the cafeteria, and several heads swivel in our direction. The urge to yank my hoodie up over my head rides me hard. I keep my head down as I follow Axel to a table at the back of the room. Skeet stands, holding out a chair for me, and I chew anxiously on the corner of my mouth, feeling eyeballs glued to my back.
“Dude, quit that shit,” Heath says, coming up behind us. “Can’t you see you’re freaking Blaire out?” He places a tray loaded with food on top of the table and sits down.
Skeet’s face falls a little. “Shit. Sorry, Blaire. I’m doing it again.”
“S’okay,” I lie, dropping my bag on the ground. “I just prefer to keep a low profile.”
“You want me to get you something?” Axel asks with a raised brow.
I shake my head as I slide into the seat alongside Heath. “I brought lunch with me.” To admit such a thing back at Amber Springs Academy would be akin to social suicide. While Kentsville High isn’t a private school crammed full of pretentious assholes, I’m guessing it’s not the done thing here either, but I really couldn’t care less.
Money had never been an issue for my family until that fateful day. Sure, we weren’t filthy rich like most of the kids at the Academy, but my parents had good jobs that paid well, and I didn’t want for anything. Once news spread, both my parents were let go from their jobs, and money’s been super tight ever since.
Six months previously, my parents had used up most of their savings buying a three-acre plot of land on the outskirts of Amber Springs. The old ramshackle house that came with the land was uninhabitable, so they’d pulled it down and were in the process of building a new house. Every spare penny was pumped into the build, so when everything happened, they were stuck without savings, without jobs, and saddled with land and a half-built mansion no one in town would dare venture onto let alone make an offer on. We literally fled here with the clothes on our backs and a few boxes of possessions. Mom sold her car and her jewelry, and that’s what we’ve been surviving on ever since.
Buying lunch in school is a necessity I can’t afford anymore. At least, not until I find a job. I’m hoping I’ll be able to find work around here so I can at least ease that burden from my parents.
“I’ve got extra,” Heath says affably, pushing his tray at me as Axel strides to the food counter. “Take what you want.”
I grind my teeth down to the molars and knot my hands into fists in my lap. “I’m not a charity case,” I hiss as red-hot anger replaces the blood flowing through my veins. “Is this some kind of ‘help the poor girl’ intervention? Is that why you’re paying me attention?” I glare at them.
“No!” Skeet is quick to deny my hastily drawn assumptions. “Of course not!”
“Whether you have money or not doesn’t factor into it,” Heath calmly says, and that only irritates me more for some reason.
“Screw this.” I bend down to grab my bag when a meaty hand wraps around my wrist.
“It’s not charity, and we like you for you not what you have or haven’t got. I was just being a friend. Friends share stuff without any motive, right?” Heath’s tone is pleading.
“Don’t leave,” Skeet adds. “Please.”
I rub the back of my neck, only staying put when I realize my little outburst has drawn more unwelcome attention. Ignoring everyone, I remove my lunchbox and unwrap the sandwich I prepared before I left the house this morning. I chew slowly as I try to calm down. The sandwich tastes like sandpaper, and I’m afraid I might choke over the lump in my throat, so I only manage a few mouthfuls before I discard it, appetite vanished.
Skeet and Heath are conducting some type of silent conversation when I finally lift my head up a couple minutes later. Now that the heat of my anger has faded, I’m a little embarrassed at my behavior. They stop, both turning to me with uncertain expressions, and I feel like a Class-A bitch. The guys have been nothing but nice to me, and I know Heath didn’t mean anything by it. It’s my issue. No
t theirs. “Um, sorry. Touchy subject.”
“It’s cool,” Heath says, his clear blue eyes examining mine. “But I really didn’t mean anything by it.”
“You should count yourself privileged,” Skeet teases. “Heath doesn’t share his food with anyone. Like ever.”
“Shut it, assface. You make me sound like some greedy, selfish motherfucker.”
Skeet leans into my side. “Heath is the school’s star quarterback, and he’s fucking anal about what he puts into his body. We’ve known him since he was three, and all he’s ever wanted was to play NFL.” He shoulder-checks me, making sure Heath is listening when he delivers his parting sentence in a faux solemn tone. “He’s very responsible, and he takes it all really seriously.”
“As seriously as a heart attack,” Axel agrees, joining us.
“It’s why he rarely shares his food, because his diet is carefully planned and controlled. You’d want to see what this guy can put away.” Skeet thumps Heath in the upper arm, smirking at him.
“There’s nothing wrong with being dedicated,” Heath protests, giving his friends the middle finger.
“You’re not just dedicated,” Skeet retorts. “You’re obsessed.”
Heath ignores his friends, pinning the full extent of his attention on me. “Just because I take my training seriously, eat carefully, and rarely drink, these dicks think I’m obsessed.”
“There’s nothing wrong with having dreams or being passionate about something you care about,” I say. “My brother played football too, and he was very committed. Controlled his calorie intake, drank protein shakes like he owned shares in the company, and worked out in the gym like a fiend.” I clamp my mouth shut the instant the verbal diarrhea comes to a halt. I don’t know what it is about these guys that has me opening up about Ethan. I’ve gone months without talking about him and now it’s like I can’t stop.
Perhaps that’s why.
But I’m conflicted.
I want to remember my brother the way he was. Not as the sum of his last act on this planet. But guilt is wreaking havoc with my insides, because we weren’t the only traumatized family left behind, and it all churns in my gut, twisting me into knots.
Is it wrong to feel guilty for thinking about my brother? For missing him? Or is it natural, irrespective of how horrified I am at what he did?
I don’t know how to resolve all the messy emotions churning inside me.
“He sounds like my kind of guy,” Heath says in a softer tone than usual. “I’m sorry I never got to meet him.” Sincerity underlines his tone.
“Me too,” I whisper. “He would have liked you. I can already visualize the bromance in my mind’s eye.”
“What happened to him?” Axel asks, and all good humor dies.
I don’t want to lie to the guys, but I can’t admit the truth either. However, if I’m vague, that’ll just make them curious, and curious isn’t a good thing when it comes to this. So, I say the only thing I can think of. I let my hair fall around my face, curtaining me. I don’t feel quite so bad if I’m not eyeballing them while I’m lying. “He was sick. Cancer.”
“Fuck.”
“Yeah.” I rub a hand over my aching chest. “Can we talk about something else? Anything? Please.”
We lapse into a momentary period of silence until Skeet jumps in to fill it. “We heading to Lance’s party on Saturday?” he asks, his gaze dancing between his two buddies.
Axel pauses in between eating. “I’m in.”
“Sure. The season’s over, so I can let loose a little.” Heath shrugs.
“What about you?” Skeet pins me with puppy dog eyes. “Please say you’ll come. We can pick you up around nine.”
“I’ll think about it,” I say, knowing there’s no way I’ll attend. Parties and me have a checkered history, and that’s not something I want to get into, now or ever.
“Hey, sexy.” A glamorous blonde leans over Heath from behind, kissing his cheek as she drapes her arms all over him.
“Cassie.” Her name is a virtual growl rolling off his tongue. He removes her wandering hands with an audible sigh. “Was there something you wanted?”
She giggles, and it’s a horrid, high-pitched effort that has all of us wincing. Not that she notices. “That’s a loaded question if ever I heard one.” She laughs at her own joke, but she’s the only one. Axel looks bored, and Skeet looks pissed on Heath’s behalf. Heath looks … frustrated. His eyes flick to mine briefly, but Cassie notices, her smile instantly disappearing. “Who the hell are you?” she demands, her tone slicing through me in a way that’s familiar.
“Leave Blaire alone.” Axel’s tone contains considerable challenge.
Cassie eyes me from head to toe, her expression transforming to one of amazed disgust. “You’re Blaire?”
I pierce her with a cool stare. “If you have something to say, just say it.”
She laughs, but it sounds all wrong. “You’re all everyone’s talking about today, but I wasn’t expecting you to be so … ordinary.”
“Don’t be such a fucking bitch, Cassie.” Heath’s venomous tone surprises me and Cassie too if her flushed cheeks are any indication.
“Shoo,” Axel says, flapping his hand in her direction like she’s an annoying insect. I’ve got to say, the more I’m around Axel, the more I like him. I don’t mind that he’s aloof and emits this whole intense “don’t give a shit” vibe. He’s clearly not afraid of speaking his mind, and I get a sense he’s a diehard loyal friend. The type that is hard to come by.
“Screw you, asshole.” Cassie glares at Axel.
“Wouldn’t you love to.” Axel smirks, leaning forward across the table. “But. It’ll. Never. Happen.”
Cassie storms off, tripping a little in her stiletto heels, and my lips kick up. Axel notices, offering me a subtle half-smile in return.
“Fuck me.” Heath claws a hand through his hair, and I can’t help noticing how his biceps flex and roll under the Henley with the motion. “Do you have to antagonize her like that? You just make that shit harder for me.”
I sit up straighter in my chair. Wait? Is Heath actually dating the clinger? I thought he had more class than that. Yes, she’s stunning, and I’ll bet she fucks like a porn star, but I’ve known her type before. The malicious bitch who tramples over anyone and everyone to get what she wants—namely the most popular guy in school. Then she finds a way to trap him, get a ring on her finger, and her perfect future’s locked down. Cassie reeks of it from a mile away, and Heath is the perfect target. He’s good-looking and a star football player with a promising future. Plus, he’s a really nice guy, but I’m sure she doesn’t care about that.
I have a feeling Cassie is going to be a problem. I’ve had enough experience with malicious bitches to read the signs. Being prepared will help, and I open my mouth to ask about her, but the bell chimes before I can quiz Heath, and we make our way back to class without any further comments on the lovely Cassie.
Chapter Five
The afternoon session is much like the morning one, and I share one class with Skeet and another with Axel. Both experiences couldn’t be more different. Skeet spends the whole class sending me cheeky notes and flirting outrageously any chance he gets while Axel basically ignores me.
My last class is with Heath, and he’s already seated when I walk into the room behind Cassie. She slides into the seat in front of him, twisting around and smiling. I move past them to take a seat in the back when Heath’s hand shoots out, and he holds my elbow, stalling me in my tracks.
“I saved that seat for Blaire,” Heath tells Cassie. “So, if you don’t mind.” He gestures with his eyes for her to move.
Steam is practically billowing from her ears as she sends daggers at Heath. “What if I do mind?” she spits.
He shrugs casually. “Then I’ll move someplace where Blaire and I can sit
together.”
Cassie shakes with anger as she stands, slamming her shoulder into me as she storms to the back of the room like a thundercloud waiting to wreak havoc.
Reluctantly, I sit down, angling my body sideways so I can talk to him. “I wish you hadn’t done that. I really don’t want her as my enemy.”
Heath leans forward, pressing his mouth close to my ear. “I was doing you a favor. Whether you want her as an enemy or not doesn’t come into it. Cassie’s the head cheerleader, and she thinks she’s queen bee around here. Unfortunately, there are plenty of idiots who buy into it. She’s been mouthing off to anyone who’ll listen all afternoon about you.”
“Well, that’s just fucking peachy. So much for wanting to blend into the background.”
“At the risk of sounding like Skeet, I very much doubt that’d be achievable around here. You’re far too beautiful and far too interesting to hide in the shadows.”
I blush a little at his compliment, and he smiles. Tentatively, he reaches out, trailing the tip of his finger along my bruised cheek. “Does it still hurt?” he whispers.
“Barely.”
“I’m really sorry about that.”
“It’s forgotten about. Honestly. We’re cool.” I hastily remove his finger when I hear hushed conversation going on around us. The pointed looks in our direction are a dead giveaway too. “And I’m still not happy about the cell, but I’m only accepting it because I need a phone, but I’m paying you back. As soon as I get a job.”
“I don’t want your money. It was the least I could do after I broke yours.”
I open my mouth to argue when the teacher enters the room, bringing all discussion to an end.
The rest of the week follows a similar pattern. While the whispered gossiping and sneaky looks haven’t dissipated, most people leave me alone. Sitting with the guys at lunch every day is both a help and a hindrance. It’s clear they are popular and respected and having their friendship means I’m protected but it’s also made me a target. The girls in class either glare at me or give me a wide berth, but once they leave me alone, I couldn’t give two shits about it.
Surviving Amber Springs: A Stand-Alone Contemporary Romance Page 4