Total pages in book: 28
Estimated words: 25958 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 130(@200wpm)___ 104(@250wpm)___ 87(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25958 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 130(@200wpm)___ 104(@250wpm)___ 87(@300wpm)
Great. I typed out a quick reply.
Delilah: It’s fine. I’ll just take the bus.
I probably could have found someone else, but I wasn’t against taking the bus. Besides, maybe the noise from all the students around me would drown out my thoughts about Mal.
I stayed in class for the last half hour, then when we were dismissed, I grabbed my stuff and left the room, stopping by my locker to shove the books inside that I wouldn’t need for homework.
The sound of loud conversation filtered all around me, and the ring of locker doors slamming shut gave me a headache.
I headed out of school, pushing the heavy front door open, the sun bright enough I lifted my hand to shield my vision. People pushed and shoved from behind me, and I stumbled around before forcing myself to head down the front steps and make my way toward the line of buses that was off to the side.
I had my focus on the ground, looking at my shoes as I walked, when the sound of someone whistling had my head lifting. I didn’t know why that noise came through all the other ones, why I focused on it, but it had been clear and loud.
A second later, someone was shouting my name. I looked toward the student parking lot, not seeing anyone at first who would be talking to me, but then I saw a familiar dark truck parked by the curb. Mal leaned against it, his arms crossed over his wide chest. He wore that signature expression of his, one that screamed “I don’t give a fuck about anyone or anything.”
I felt my brows pull low at the same time my feet started moving toward him as if they had a mind of their own. I noticed a few guys walking by, seniors like me, who stopped and bullshitted with Mal. But his focus was on me the whole time.
Last year, he and my brother had been at the top of the food chain at school. Popular. Star football players. They had it all. They were legends at school, obnoxiously so, so it wasn’t surprising that he had people stopping and talking to him.
I also didn’t miss how many girls openly eye-fucked him. I felt something else start to turn in my belly from the latter.
Jealousy.
I shook off the unwanted feeling.
After only a second, Mal waved off the guys who stopped to talk to him, his focus trained right on me. I didn’t say anything when I was only a few feet from him, confused on why he was here.
We didn’t say anything to each other for long seconds, and I lifted an eyebrow. “What are you doing here?”
He didn’t speak for a second, then asked, “Isn’t it obvious?”
I shook my head. “No, or I wouldn’t have asked.”
He chuckled softly. “You need a ride home. So here I am.”
How the hell did he know I needed a ride? I didn’t move, maybe a little surprised still that Mal was here, that he’d taken the time to do something nice and considerate for me.
“Are you going to get in or what?” His expression stayed smooth, despite the teasing note in his voice.
I still didn’t move as I took in his appearance, at the way his dark denim jeans fit him so well there was no denying how muscular his legs were. He wore a black hoodie, his light-brown hair slightly disheveled over his head. His hands were shoved into the pockets of his jeans, and I clenched my jaw at how good he looked. Damn him for being so hot.
“I have a ride.” I looked behind me at the line of buses. A hiss came from them, a telling sign that they’d be leaving shortly.
“Um, you’d rather take the bus than let me drive you home?”
I looked back at Mal. Well, no, but I wasn’t going to admit that.
“How did you know I needed a ride anyway?”
He let out an exasperated sigh. “How do you think? Aiden mentioned it before he left campus to head to work. Told him I’d swing by and pick you up.” He joked after that, “You know, ’cause I’m a cool, decent guy like that.”
Huh.
Just then, two guys walked behind me, one of them doing a low whistle that had the hair on the back of my neck standing on end in annoyance. I looked over my shoulder and gave them an icy glare, and one of them winked at me.
“Move it the fuck along.”
I snapped my head back in Mal’s direction, his tone cold and cutting, his glare murderous as he stared at the two assholes. The guys didn’t say anything else, but I did hear them pick up their pace as they retreated, Mal watching them the entire time.
I felt my eyebrows lift to my hairline as I continued to watch him. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say that act was a little bit possessive, maybe even proprietary. Definitely jealous.