Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 95950 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95950 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
As I wait for Austin to finish up in the locker room, I feel the stares from the other girls directed my way. Now that I’m with Summer and Everly, I don’t feel quite so alone. That’s always been the hardest part about being at Hawthorne Prep—the loneliness.
The feeling of not fitting in or belonging.
“Did you want to grab something to eat after this?” Everly asks. “I’m starving and Dad probably won’t be making an appearance anytime soon, so I’ll be on my own for dinner as usual.”
Summer glances at her phone. “Wish I could, but I’ve got too much homework.”
A smirk curves her lips. “Yeah, sure. I think there’s something else you want to study.”
Summer’s cheeks pinken before she uses her elbow to jab her friend in the side.
Everly laughs before the happy sound dies on her lips as Duke joins us.
Her blue-green eyes turn guarded as she folds her arms tightly across her chest. It would be impossible not to notice the way the atmosphere shifts with his imposing presence.
“Hey,” I say in a friendly tone, wanting to defuse the strange tension that vibrates in the air.
He gives me a chin lift in greeting before doing the same to Summer. Then his gaze narrows on Everly, and his eyes harden. The edges of his lips curl into a snarl as the two stay locked in a silent battle of wills. My gaze bounces between them, only now realizing there’s a problem.
That’s when an uncomfortable silence descends, blanketing the four of us.
Just as it grows stifling, I clear my throat. “Did you need something?”
He rips his attention away from Everly long enough to say, “I thought you might want a ride home.”
We don’t live far from each other, and sometimes he drops me off when I’ve needed a ride. I’ve always appreciated the way he looks out for me.
Before I can respond, a thickly muscled arm snakes around my body, hauling me close as I’m inundated with a fresh masculine scent.
“That’s not necessary, Carmichael. I’ve got her.”
Duke glares at Austin for a long, uncomfortable moment before refocusing on me. His voice softens. “Is that the case?”
“You heard me say that it was,” Austin snaps.
Duke takes a menacing step toward us. The blond lacrosse player is just as tall and broad as Austin. Honestly, he might be a bit bigger. Other than that, they’re evenly matched. “Is it a problem if I want to hear it from Delilah?”
Before they can come to blows, I blurt, “Thanks for asking, but Austin will take me home.”
He searches my eyes carefully. Like everyone else, I can see him trying to figure out what’s going on between us. “You sure about that?”
“I am,” I say, forcing a bright smile.
Duke presses his lips into a tight line before jerking his shoulders into a shrug. “All right. Guess I’ll catch you tomorrow.”
I nod as he stalks away. It would be impossible not to notice how people scurry from his path. No one wants to have a run-in with him. It’s only when he’s disappeared around the corner of the stadium that Everly releases a pent-up breath.
“I really hate that guy,” she mutters.
My gaze swings to her in surprise. “Really?”
Duke has never been anything but kind to me. I know he can be brisk and is rough around the edges, but I’ve always felt that deep down, he has a heart of gold.
All right…maybe not gold.
But he’s a good guy. Certainly better than a lot of people around here.
Everly’s teeth rake across her lower lip as she glares at the place he was last seen before disappearing. “Sometimes, I think he goes out of his way to be an asshole. Especially to me, and I have no idea why. I barely know him.”
My brows pinch together as I mentally comb through their past interactions. “I think it just takes time for him to warm up to people.”
She snorts. “I think you’re way off base and he’s a jerk. I wish he’d just leave me alone. I’m tired of putting up with his crap.”
What I don’t mention is that it sucks to be a scholarship kid at Hawthorne Prep. Even if it’s not openly talked about, everyone knows that the only reason we’re here is because the board pays our tuition. There are always little offhanded remarks or jokes made at our expense.
And we’re both more guarded because of it.
Ironically, Duke is more accepted than I am. He’s a gifted student and talented athlete. The problem is that he has a huge chip on his shoulder. He goes out of his way to remove himself from social situations and people. Honestly, when I think about it, he was that way when he was younger and we attended public school.
Kingsley joins us, wrapping an arm around Summer before hauling her close and brushing his lips across hers.