Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 83221 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83221 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
I’m going to have to figure out something to get this girl out of my head. This is getting out of control.
Willa
Friends.
Such a loaded word, especially for someone who doesn’t ever make friends. Maybe to someone like Mr. Park—er, Callum—it’s a word that’s tossed around easily. But for me, it actually means something.
A friend is someone you can depend on.
Yesterday, not only did he defend me and do his best to protect me from what Levi had done, but he also checked on me later.
I’m sure texting with your student is a big no-no.
I certainly won’t be telling anyone. It can be our secret.
My skin flushes. I’m going to see him soon. With thoughts of Callum next period comes the dread of having to see Levi. I’d managed to escape this morning without a run-in with anyone in my family, including Mom, but I can’t avoid my stepbrother forever.
As the clock ticks by too slowly, I agonize over texting Callum again. Was our conversation last night just a one-time thing? Would he reply if I texted him today? I’m itchy with nerves, once again confused about this thing between us.
“Psst.”
I jerk my head to the left to find Dempsey Park smirking at me. He’s like a younger version of Callum—same floppy dark hair, though minus a few grays at the temples, same icy blue eyes, same intensity that clearly runs through the family blood. But where Callum is all fitted suits and impeccable perfection, Dempsey is the opposite.
He wears a lot of black. Black concert tees. Black, holey jeans. Black boots. Even the leather bracelets he wears around his wrists are black. Every bit the bad boy his reputation warns of.
“What?” I mouth, frowning at being the object of his attention in the middle of class.
“Got a pencil I can borrow?” His eyes flash with mischief. “Pretty please.”
I study him for a moment, wondering if he’s messing with me. Hot guys like him don’t normally talk to me. But, then again, hot teachers don’t talk to me either. Seems like it’s just one of those weeks.
“Uh, sure,” I mutter. “In my, uh, bag.”
For some lame reason, my skin flames red-hot. I lean down and dig in my bag, hunting down a pencil. A cool draft skates across my chest. It’s then I remember the V-neck shirt I wore today in my effort to be “sexy” for Callum.
And I just gave Dempsey an eyeful.
Jerking my head up, I discover him peeking right down my shirt. He bites down on his bottom lip, clearly satisfied at the show. I gasp, pressing my hand to my chest, ending his view. Mortified, I grab a pencil and offer it to him.
“Here.”
He takes the pencil, a grin tugging at his lips. “Red bra. Nice. Who are you trying to impress today, Reyes?”
Oh my God.
I want to crawl into a hole and die. Kill me now.
If I were like his sister, feisty and confident, I might tell him, “Your brother.” But I’m not. Instead, I discretely flip him the bird. He barks out a laugh of surprise, earning him a warning from the teacher.
Thankfully, the bell rings and I’m rescued from this whole stupid incident. It’s a reminder of why I wear baggy clothes a lot of the time. I don’t like bringing attention to my appearance. I like blending in and going unseen.
Except with Callum…
“Wait up!”
My hasty exit out of the classroom was a waste of effort. Dempsey easily catches up to me, slinging an arm over my shoulders. He smells like a hint of tobacco mixed with blueberry muffins, which is an odd, yet nice combination.
“Sorry,” Dempsey says with a chuckle that begs to differ. “I swear I didn’t do that on purpose.”
“Right,” I mumble. “Everyone knows you’re a manwhore.”
He laughs again. “Do they now? My reputation precedes me. I bet my dad’s super proud.”
I’m not sure why Dempsey is showing a sudden interest in me, but it unnerves me. People don’t notice me. I’ve managed to fade into the background for years. Why the sudden interest in Willa Reyes, school nerd?
“Can’t you go bother someone else?” I say, making the mistake of peering into his blue eyes that match Callum’s almost identically.
“Technically, I am.” He winks at me before turning his attention down the hallway. He does a chin lift and says, “‘Sup?”
I follow his stare to Levi. My stepbrother. His narrowed stare is on me, furious and accusing.
“Willa,” Levi growls, coming to a stop in front of us. “Stay away from Park.”
My skin burns hot. How dare this prick. He photographs indecent poses of me while I sleep, gets caught having them by our teacher, and then has the audacity to act like the moral hero in my story. Excuse me, but no.
“I can see whoever I want, Levi.” I adopt the bitchiest face I can muster. “Walk me to class, babe?”