Fallen Fourth Down (Fallen Crest #4)(3)

“Yeah, well,” her eyes narrowed, “we’ll see. Since most of the old crew graduated, I’m the leader now. It’s me, Amelia, Adam, and Mark. We had a spot open and Adam vouched for Becky. I figured, what the hell? Anything to piss you off, especially after that night.”

“Newsflash, bitch. Becky and I haven’t been friends for a while.” I stepped closer, purposely invading her space. This wasn’t a Tommy Princess. I wasn’t worried a knife would be drawn by this one. No, Cass was Fallen Crest Academy through and through. She thought she was more than she was, and I had already taken them on—and won—once. I smirked at her. Mason was gone. Things with Logan were uncomfortable, so that meant I had a whole host of bad shit rolling around inside me. She thought she could target me? Oh no. I had found the perfect target. As my smirk grew, hers faded. I leaned in closer. She was now pressed against the door, all that bravado gone. I asked, “You want to take me on? Do it. I’m going to enjoy this because, honey, I need a distraction from the real turmoil going on in my life.”

She swallowed.

I tilted my head to the side, scanning every inch of her to make her even more uncomfortable. “I should thank you for volunteering. After taking on the Tommy Princesses from FCP, you’re going to be a treat. For real.”

She froze, and I rolled my eyes. I shoved her away from the door and headed inside. That game could start later on. It was my senior year. Even if Mason was gone, I should enjoy some of it. I headed for the kitchen. Maybe it was time I tried drinking. Everyone else seemed to enjoy it.

“Hey, Sam.” A guy passed me, but I didn’t recognize him. As I drew closer to the kitchen, more and more people said their hellos. The hostility wasn’t there from the girls, and the guys weren’t tense around me anymore.

“It’s because of us.”

I drew back as Natalie, one of the remaining two Tommy Princesses at FCP, stood beside me. She was leaning against a counter with a beer in her hand and a scowl on her face. Her black hair was tucked behind her ears, and her eyes were heavily made up with mascara. With a black corset top, her breasts almost popping out, and tight jeans that were ripped near the crotch area, she looked scary.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

She gestured around the house. “It’s because of us. We’re not in force anymore. Kate and Parker graduated. It’s just me and Jaz. You and the Kades took care of our threat so the girls are going to be nice to your face, since you’re still close to Logan Kade, but don’t be fooled. The guys will all wonder who’s going to bang you now that Mason is gone.”

“I’m still with Mason.”

“Not here.” She took a sip and rolled her eyes. Her hostility matched Cass’, but her attitude was darker. I knew from experience she wasn’t afraid to follow up with a threat. She added, “No one stays with their high school sweetheart.” She glanced to where Logan was, as he had Kris trapped in a corner, nuzzling her neck. “Half the people are wondering if Logan’s your next conquest or if you’ll give it up to another guy. Shit. There’s already bets on who’s going to be in your pants by homecoming.”

“I don’t believe you.”

She laughed and finished her beer in one gulp. She tossed the can into a barrel in the corner and held her hand out. Another beer came down the line, handed from person to person, until it was put in her hand. Sick enjoyment lit up her face as she opened the can. “You might’ve been accepted, since you got Logan and Jax circling around you in protection, but don’t fool yourself. You’re not wanted there. You found that out last year because of us. We were up front about it. These hoes,” she gestured around the room, “they’ll come at you from behind and stab you in the back. Just wait. I’ll be standing by, eating popcorn when that happens.”

The anger that had been smoldering in my gut since my encounter with Cass erupted in flames. Feeling a hand from behind, I was shoved forward. A brief thought flashed in my mind. I might as well use this chance, so I didn’t fight the shove. I let myself fall forward and my fist clipped Natalie on the chin. Oops. As she gasped, I tipped her beer on her. I looked back, saw it had been Cass on her way into the kitchen, and reached for her hair. Grabbing a good fistful of it, I yanked her back and shoved her at Natalie. I showed her off, my hand moving up and down as if revealing a prize. I said to Natalie, “Don’t blame me. It was this Academite sweetheart.”

Cass’ eyes rounded, and she struggled against my hold. “I was shoving you, not her.”

“You shoved her into me.” Natalie set her beer on the counter and pushed from the counter. The crowd around her felt the tension. Eyes turned towards us and a hush fell over the crowd.

“I didn’t. I’m sorry. It was her.”

“I don’t give a shit.” Natalie sneered at me. Her gaze locked with mine, and I knew she was aware that I had stepped into her all on my own, but she just shook her head.

I grinned. We weren’t done. I’d only given her a new toy to chew on for the meantime.

Becky and Amelia were there, staring at Natalie like she was a hyena circling them on a safari.

Good. My jaw firmed at that thought and I started for the kitchen. There was one last crush of people in front of me, but a hand reached through, grabbed my arm, and I was pulled through the crowd. No one stood in the way; they melted to the side. Logan was glaring at me on the other end, Kris tucked behind him. He asked, “What was that about?”