All the Lies (Lies & Truths Duet #1)(24)

No, I don’t remember. That’s the entire fucking problem.

Still, I offer them the slight smile I’m starting to think they expect of me. “I’ll be back.”

Not putting too much pressure on my hurt leg, I make a beeline out of the cafeteria, nodding and smiling at anyone who calls my name. A redheaded boy who can’t be any older than a sophomore freezes when I wave back at him.

Goddammit. Please tell me I wasn’t the type who belittled everyone around her.

Old Reina, I’m seriously starting to hate you.

Outside, I spot Naomi retreating to the back entrance of the college. I hobble my way after her and stop near a fountain that has a Greek-like statue on top.

Naomi sits at the edge and slams the plate on her lap. A few football players wearing the Devils’ black and white jackets head in the direction of the cafeteria. They must’ve finished their meeting.

Owen and Sebastian are there, too, deep in conversation with their teammates.

The moment Sebastian notices Naomi, he abandons his friends and joins her on the edge of the fountain.

The jerk does it with ease, too, as if he’s entitled to invade her space. True, he’s good-looking with golden hair and sun-kissed skin, and from what I’ve heard, he’s the star quarterback, but so what?

I stand on one leg but lean over to hear what they’re talking about.

“Hey, tsundere.” He grins. “What type of trouble are you up to today?”

She doesn’t raise her head from her plate, as if she’s still all alone. “Beating your ass into the fountain or shoving your face up your ass. Take your pick.”

Sebastian laughs and bumps her shoulder with his. “I knew you were kinky. Tell me more.”

“Fuck off.”

“I would rather fuck on.” He winks.

“What part of leave me alone do you not understand? I hate you, asshole.”

“But I don’t.”

She grabs her plate and attempts to leave.

“You don’t have to play so hard to get, tsundere.” He taps her nose. “You’re just a fuck, remember?”

Naomi turns as red as a tomato as he stands up and stalks back toward his friends.

Jerk.

No wonder he’s Asher’s friend. The asshole surrounds himself with dipshits who resemble him.

But then again, I’m the one who dared Sebastian. That part is all on me.

I limp to Naomi’s side, my head lowered and my skin prickling with shame.

“For the last time, I won’t suck you off. I’d rather eat vomit off the walls,” she snaps.

“Wow. That’s quite the visual.” I smile.

Her head jerks up and her gaze immediately hardens. “You.”

“Yeah, me.” I sit down beside her, keeping some distance between us. “Do you mind?”

“I do, actually. I escaped your band of mean girls to eat in peace.”

“But Sebastian ruined it.”

Her upper lip lifts in disgust. “Screw that asshole.”

“Yeah, screw him with a backward stick so he feels pain every time he thinks about screwing someone.” I smile tentatively. “I’m sure this is too late, but I wanted to say I’m so sorry for that dare.”

She raises an eyebrow as if not believing what I just said. “Is this some sort of reverse psychology where you’ll get me to admit my deepest darkest secrets and wishes? You don’t have to, because my wish already didn’t come true.”

“How so?”

“I wished you’d die, but you’re still alive.”

“Oh.”

My heart sinks as I stare at my flats with my hands in my lap. I didn’t think she hated me to the point of wishing me dead.

Old Reina, what have you done?

“Shit. You’re really upset?” Naomi watches me closely. “I never thought I’d live to see Reina Ellis upset.”

“Of course I get upset, I’m a human.”

“More like a monster who survives on being cunning, manipulating others, and screwing people’s lives over.” Her rapid-fire words stab me right in the chest.

Asher isn’t the only one who thinks I’m a monster. Is that my nickname in everyone’s subconscious?

“I told you I’m sorry, didn’t I?” I say hopefully.

“Sorry? Do you think sorry fixes anything?” She laughs with a bitter edge as she stands up. “You can take your sorry and shove it up your skinny ass.”

And then she’s storming out of view.

My shoulders droop as I angle sideways and stare at my reflection in the water.

Who knew behind such a beautiful face lurked a nightmare?

I should’ve had a purpose, right? But no matter how much I think about it, there can’t possibly be an excuse to hurt people.

It’s just wrong. Everything is so wrong.

Another beautifully cruel face greets me in the reflection before he throws a rock in the water, disturbing both our images.

I turn around and scowl at Asher’s face, which is still covered by aviators.

Does he ever remove them?

His broad shoulders block the sun and his shadow falls over me like damnation.

Izzy said Asher played football in high school, but unlike his friends, he chose to study international law.