Elite (Eagle Elite #1)(10)

“You think I would actually sleep with someone like you? What type of girl are you anyways? Do they do things different out on the farm?”

I felt my face turn bright red.

“Oh they must, huh?” Nixon folded his arms across his chest. “Trust me, Farm Girl. I don’t care how much makeup you put on, or how expensive your clothes may be. I don’t even give a rat’s ass that half the student body likes you right now. You are charity. I wouldn’t even screw you if you paid me. So, the answer is no. And next time you feel like showing up to one of my school’s parties, at least have the decency to wear some new shoes.”

I broke. I lunged for him, but strong arms held me back. I didn’t want them to see me cry. I didn’t know what else to do. I was shaking so hard that I thought I would pass out.

“Shhh…” Monroe said in my hair. “Tex, let’s get her back to the room.”

He nodded and soon Chase fell into step with us.

“Get away from me!” I screamed at them, but instead of leaving, Tex and Chase walked on either side of me. And then I realized why.

People were attempting to throw food at my head. But the minute the guys offered their support, people stopped and watched us leave the party.

Nixon was going to be pissed. But I didn’t care. I was so incredibly ashamed of myself. Ashamed that I would fall for anything that guy said. And most of all, angry that he would make fun of my grandma’s shoes. The very same shoes that gave me confidence today.

We walked in silence back to the dorm.

The guys didn’t say anything. They didn’t joke around. And Monroe wouldn’t stop cursing her brother.

Finally, they made it to the elevators. I panicked. I didn’t want to use my one elevator pass just because I was embarrassed and ashamed and a little bit pissed.

Chase pulled out a shiny black card and swiped it across the elevators. I’m sure his card had all kinds of unlimited access on it. We all walked in. Even the boys.

I had thought everyone worthwhile was at the welcome party.

I thought wrong.

A few doors on my floor opened. It was like the minute they opened and saw who was escorting me, a surge of estrogen hit the fan, causing giggling to break out around the entire right wing.

Girls whispered, “That’s Chase and Tex! What are they doing here? So hot! So damn sexy! Chase, Chase!” One girl started chanting his name and I fought the urge to yell at her. Clearly I was dealing with a lot of emotions right now.

Monroe opened the door to my room. The guys shuffled in. I sat on my bed and waited for the yelling to start.

Monroe moved to my feet and slid off my grandma’s shoes. “He’s an ass. I know I shouldn’t defend him, but if he would have known they were your grandma’s shoes…”

Chase looked at the shoes then at me. “I don’t get it. What’s so important about—”

“—She’s dead, you *! And they’re vintage, and she left them with Trace, okay? They’re like the nicest shoes she owns!”

Chase was silent. His piercing green gaze held mine for a while before he cursed and left the room. Tex threw his hands into the air and followed him out. Monroe locked the door behind them.

“Guess this means war, huh?” I tried to smile.

“I’ll talk to him.” Monroe didn’t look so sure about that idea. She paced in front of me. “I never thought he’d take it this far. He’s never taken it this far. People are too afraid of the Elect to do anything, or say anything.”

“They aren’t gods.”

Monroe laughed bitterly. “No, they’re much worse. At least Greek gods stayed up on Olympus where they belonged. Ours haunt us here at school, as if college isn’t bad enough, right?”

“He’ll tire of me.”

“That’s the thing.” Monroe started stripping. I would kill for that woman’s body. She grabbed a shirt that said sexy and slipped it on, along with some pajama bottoms. “He usually threatens the people who don’t conform and then that’s that. If they challenge him, they usually get kicked out of school. Only one other kid challenged him and was bullied out of here, but everyone hated him anyways. I mean, Nixon’s an ass, but he protects everyone. He’s like the godfather around these parts.”

“And that makes me… what?”

Monroe chewed her lip. “I don’t know.” She nodded to my suitcase. “Got any pajamas in there?”

“Fingers crossed they weren’t stolen,” I joked.

Monroe walked over and started helping me sort through my suitcase. “It’s okay to cry you know. I won’t tell anyone. For the record, I think you’re really brave.”

I felt the tears then. The choking feeling you get when you try super hard to hold back all the emotion and the headache that almost always surely follows. I nodded and broke eye contact.

“Hey, why don’t I loan you some pajamas, then you can just go to bed right away, okay? We’ll put away your clothes tomorrow after class.”

I groaned. “Ugh, class.”

“Look on the bright side.” Monroe threw me some shorts and a tank. “At least you won’t have to endure Nixon. He shouldn’t be in all of your classes, maybe two. If you’re lucky, one.”

“I’ll wish on a shooting star,” I muttered.