Too Sweet (Hayes Brothers #3)(73)

I close the locker and grab the earphones, putting them in my ears and hating Aisha for putting makeup on me. I feel like I’m wearing a mask. Like I’m trying to fit in when I stopped hoping to long ago.

If the likes of Jake are the people I’m supposed to fit in with, then I’d rather be a loner.

I crank up the volume and make my way to class, eyes on the floor, steps small. I don’t even make it to the end when the music stops playing, and I see Jake from the corner of my eye, scissors in hand and a wide grin.

He cut the cords.

I grit my teeth, adamant not to show him how much it hurts me to be robbed of the one thing I find comfort in.

“What is that?” he cackles, smearing the raspberry lip gloss across my lips and face with his thumb. “That pouty mouth of yours would look great wrapped around my dick,” he states. “Yes! Fucking EPIC! That’s your new nickname. Blow Job Lips!” He scans the crowd of onlookers and starts chanting BJ over and over until not a single person within earshot isn’t chanting with him.

There’s no stopping the tears that pool in my eyes. There’s no stopping my instincts when I turn on my heel and run out of the building, bailing on my first day as a freshman.

TWENTY-EIGHT
Mia

A SLAP LANDS ON MY ASS while I’m on my way out of the college building. Laughter erupts behind me, and without thinking, I spin on my heel to find a guy I don’t know, wagging his eyebrows.

My mind flares, my pulse soars, and a feeling I’ve only felt a few times whips across my nerve endings: courage.

Before I can think through my next move, my hand sails through the air, landing on the guy’s face. I don’t have enough strength to make his head turn, but the slap must sting because he holds his cheek, eyes growing wide.

“Don’t ever touch me again,” I say, pushing down the panic threatening to diminish my courage when I recognize the two guys cackling nearby.

Jessie and Michael. Jake Grey’s best friends. They used to make my life a living hell in high school, and just seeing them laughing brings back memories I tried hard to bury.

The guy who slapped me lunges forward, pushing me against the wall hard enough that my head bounces off the concrete, and he’s right there, towering above me, madness and embarrassment flickering in his eyes.

“You stupid bitch, you think—” The breath is knocked out of his chest by my knee connecting with his groin.

I shove him away, my heart ramming against my ribs. Adrenaline jolts me into action, and I run. A few students turn to watch as I bolt down the corridor, but no one stops me to check if I’m okay, even though they saw what happened.

Other than ostentatious, inappropriate comments, no one touched me against my will until today. A few guys asked me out, and some left suggestive notes for me to find, but overall, Brandon’s plan was failing.

He must’ve thought everyone is as childish as him...

Looks like some are. Childish and deranged. This guy wasn’t even trying to hide. He cornered me while other people watched like he didn’t give a damn about the consequences.

“Where to?” Dad asks when I slide into the passenger seat two minutes later, my hands still shaking. He’s been picking me up from college and taking me out for food every afternoon since he landed four days ago. “Can we go back to The Olive Tree?”

“Sure, I don’t mind.”

“Good, call Nico, maybe he’ll—” He cuts himself off when my ringtone pours out of the speakers, the phone connected to the hands-free system.

“Talk of the devil.” I smile, showing Dad the screen. “Hey, I was about to call you.”

“And I’m about ready to put you over my knee,” he clips, making my cheeks heat. “Baby, I’m glad you’re spending time with your dad, but you need to find two hours for me tonight.”

“Nico—”

“Two hours.” His tone brooks no argument. “Make it happen. I’ve not felt you in four days, and I miss you like it’s been an entire goddamn century. Unless you want me to cuff you to the bed while your dad sits in the next room, I suggest you do as you’re told.”

I sink into my seat, melting into the leather when Dad clears his throat. “Hey, Nico. That shouldn’t be a problem. I’m meeting a friend for a few drinks later, so you two will have the evening to yourself.”

“Oh God.” I’m sure I’m the color of a ripe tomato. “Why? Why are you so casual about this?!”

My dad chuckles, shaking his head like he’s dealing with a clueless child. “It’s just sex, Mia. Why are you blushing? Don’t act like it’s such a novelty.”

“It is!” I cry, horrified that he thought I slept with one of the dates I told him about. “It’s very much a novelty.”

“You mean to tell me Nico’s your first?”

“Right, I’ll leave you to it,” Nico cuts in, sounding amused. “I’ll see you tonight, Mia.”

“Don’t you dare hang up!”

“What did I tell you? Sex is natural. It’s normal.”

“Agreed,” Dad says, nodding vigorously. “I’m still very much shocked you only now had your first time, but I can’t say I’m not glad. Some of those dates you told me about—”

“Jimmy,” Nico warns, jealousy clear in his voice. “Leave the past where it belongs.”