Broken Hill High (Broken Hill High #1)(18)

I tilt my head up to him and bring my hand to rest against his bare chest. “Is that an offer?” I ask him, ignoring the way his skin burns under my fingers.

I see the exact moment he thinks he’s got me. He leans in deeper, ready to take what he thinks is his. His hands find purchase on my waist. “Admit it and I’ll give you exactly what you want,” he murmurs.

I smirk to myself before I run my nose up his neck and breathe him in. “When the day comes that I’m interested in getting an STD, I’ll be sure to let you know,” I whisper before pushing him off me. “Now get your ass dressed. I told you, I have a test.”

His eyes narrow on mine, clearly not enjoying being played, but hey, what comes around goes around, right? I can’t imagine how many times he’s played a girl in that way. “Why should I give a shit about your stupid test?” he grunts as he looks down on me.

“I’m not asking you to give a shit about my test. I’m asking you to get your ass downstairs and drive me to school,” I tell him. “This wouldn’t be your problem if you hadn’t been such a dick and brought me here.”

He lets out a heavy breath before stalking back into his room and slamming the door. I hear him rustling around inside and I lean against the wall with a grin plastered on my face. I prop my foot up against the wall and cross my arms over my chest.

Over the past few years, it’s always been Nate getting under my skin, except for now. Things are changing. I just put Jesse in his place and now I’ve done the same with Nate and it feels incredible. I mean, I’m victorious right now and the adrenaline pumping through my veins has me wanting to run up and down the hallway doing the chicken dance.

I don’t know why I’m surprised by all this. I should have known that these guys don’t show up to school until the very last moment. Jokes on me. I should have sucked it up and learned how to drive my car.

Nate’s door is ripped open and he takes one look at the smugness that completely overtakes me before turning and practically running down the stairs. Clearly, Nate Ryder is not someone who enjoys losing, but unfortunately for him, I’ve just got a taste for the good stuff and I’m not about to let that slip through my fingers.

I have to hurry to keep up with Nate as he storms out the front door and jumps straight into his Camaro. The engine purrs to life and something tells me he’s not about to wait for me to take my time. I throw myself through the passenger door of his car just in time for him to take off like a bat out of hell. I’m not even sure if the door was closed before he hit the gas.

I pull my phone out and check the time to see that the first warning bell would be ringing right about now, but if he keeps up with this ridiculous speed, I’ll make it to my class just in time, assuming I don’t stop by my locker first.

A minute later, Nate pulls into the parking lot of Broken Hill High and as the bell has already rung, the lot is absolutely packed, but naturally, Nate drives straight through all the cars and finds a spot right at the front. It takes me a minute to realize this must be his spot. Not that we have designated spots here, but I’m sure people are just terrified that he’ll beat the shit out of them if they were to park in a space that’s declared as his.

The second his car comes to a stop, I scram. I hurry up to the school and run towards my class just in time to watch the teacher placing the test on my empty desk.

I fly through the door and fall into my desk before rummaging through my bag for a pen. The teacher tells the class that we have exactly forty minutes to complete the test, he then hits a timer and leans back with the morning paper.

I let out a breath and try to calm my racing heart as I write my name at the top of the sheet.

That was way too close for my liking. Next time, I’ll be more prepared.

By lunchtime, I collapse down into the chair beside Brooke. “I’m exhausted,” I tell her. “Today has literally been non-stop.” She silently turns her head my way and narrows her eyes on me. “What’s that look for?” I grunt.

“There’s a rumor going ‘round ‘bout you,” she says.

“Oh great,” I say with a groan as a million possibilities come to mind. I mean, has Jesse said something to get payback for this morning, or maybe it’s Nate who’s come up with something after I shut him down. “What is it this time?”

“That you were seen getting out of Nate’s car this morning,” she says with a roll of her eyes as though the possibility of me doing that is slim to none.

I press my lips together and look away.

“What?” she shrieks. “What the hell, Tora? Please tell me I’m imagining this. I mean, how? There’s no way my best friend voluntarily got in Nate Ryder’s car this morning, as the best friend I know would have rather walked,” she tells me before an annoyed crease appears between her eyebrows. “And for another matter,” she adds. “It’s lunch. Why am I only just finding out about this now?”

I let out a heavy sigh. “Believe me,” I tell her. “Me riding to school with that sewer rat is only just scratching the surface.”

“Huh?” she grunts. “What could possibly be worse?”

“Try living with him,” I say.

Her mouth pops open before it slowly closes again. “Umm… I don’t even know what to say to that. You’re joking, right?”