Hostile(29)

Bree looks at him, appalled. “Wait.” She gestures to me, and I finally let Rhett go—although the contact of his body was phenomenal. “This is ‘fuckface’?”

“Sounds about right,” Fletcher gets his shot in as I cock my head to the side, looking at Rhett.

“I’m sorry, what?”

He chuckles as he nods at Bree. “Yup. Definitely.”

“Nice nickname. Can I have a different one?” I ask as Rhett’s eyes meet mine.

“Nope.” He lets a small smile slip. “Bree came over before you did the other day, and I thought it was you. But instead it was her. So, I accidentally called her your nickname.”

I laugh, thinking about it because yeah, I can picture it. Bree shakes her head from side to side, still in disbelief. “You two are really friends?”

Rhett sighs heavily then nods. “Guess so.”

“Wow.” Fletcher looks just as stunned.

“We have a lot in common. Don’t look so surprised,” I try to defend.

Fletcher snorts. “Like what?”

It’s Rhett this time who comes to the defense, “We both draw and we both volunteer. I’m as surprised as you are, but he’s not so bad.”

I cover my heart with my hand in mock appreciation. “Please. Stop. I’m blushing.”

He laughs again, and goddamn, that sound. It’s everything.

And it must surprise Bree and Fletcher because they’re looking at him in shock. “Wow. Okay.” Bree finishes off her milk and places it back on her tray. “This is weird.”

I ignore her disdain and turn back to Rhett. “So, tonight? Am I driving?”

“No. I drove today.”

I narrow my eyes because he knew I’d want to drive him, but then he gives me a smug smile. “So, I guess you can follow me back to my place, if you want, and ride with me.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

Fletcher stands up, grabbing his backpack and slinging it over his shoulder. “This is really fucking weird.”

Bree stands too. “Yeah. I have questions . . .” Her eyes dart to me, and then she looks at Rhett—sad longing in those pretty eyes, and okay, a part of me definitely feels for her. It can’t be easy to be in love with your best friend. “Later.”

Rhett seems to accept that but stays put at the table as they leave us sitting alone. I turn to him, my eyebrows raised. “That was painful for you, wasn’t it?”

“To admit you’re a decent human? Hell yeah.”

“Really?” I lean into him. “Even though I made you come harder than you ever have in your life?”

His eyes widen, and I don’t miss the sharp inhale or his Adam’s apple sliding along his throat when he swallows. “Not here.”

I sit back a little in my chair. “Secret friends?”

“No. But the other parts are. Right?” He studies me, and I nod my agreement.

I grin. “You mean the ‘friends who maybe kiss’ part?”

He lowers his voice, but his eyes are damn near amused. “Yes. The kissing and the coming. Those parts should stay out of school.”

“You’re no fun.” I smile, leaning back in my seat and ignoring my friends’ gazes from my lunch table.

He stands up and surprises the hell out of me when he drops his voice low and leans into me. “Now, you know that’s not true. I can be very fun.” He stands up straight, and it’s my turn to breathe heavily. My cock twitches and becomes semi-hard in the middle of the goddamn lunchroom. Then he winks at me before he leaves.

I’m so fucking grateful for my backpack as I pull it quickly into my lap.

He. Actually. Fucking. Winked.

And damn, if my dick isn’t now fully hard.





TWENTY





So, today was weird. I have to admit, Grayson has a massive set of balls on him. Coming over to my lunch table with the entire school in attendance to witness our newfound friendship. And then the fucker wrapped his big-ass arm around me, clearly not caring about the gossip mill.

Of course, no one was even close to the truth from what I heard. Mostly, everyone is just shocked we’re friends after four years of high school. Two guys who are completely opposite becoming friends was the talk of the school.

And Bree and Fletch.

Who would not let up, but what could I say? That he’s the only person I’ve ever felt a sexual draw to? That when he made me come, my vision went totally white and then black, and I swear I saw colors I’d never imagined before?

Because as corny and fucking cliché as that sounds, it’s exactly what happened.

So I skirted around it and then went to the mission with Grayson after school. Now, we’re at my place again, sitting in my car. I don’t know if I should invite him up or what exactly I should do.

Fuck, I’ve never been this awkward in my life.

“Those kids . . .” I turn to look at him, listening to his deep voice full of wonder. “They’re amazing.”

My heart tightens in my chest because I know he’s not spewing bullshit. I can see it on his face. “Yeah.”

He smiles, but it’s sad. “Laney’s really funny. When she opens up, she’s really funny. And smart.”