Tyler catches me after English. He’s tall, a little out of breath, backpack hanging off one shoulder like he jogged to catch up. I always thought he was cute back when I was with Jace, but out here in the daylight he’s actually handsome.
“Hey, Layla.”
“Hi.”
“Lunch?” He shifts his backpack. “Off campus. I know a place.”
Cain’s voice is immediately in my head. His hand on my jaw, the certainty in his eyes. *No other boys.* I stand there for a second weighing it.
Fuck Cain’s rules.
“Not today. But ask me again in a week.”
“A week?” He grins.
“Yeah.”
“Okay.” He leans against the locker next to mine. “Or we could just go today. Friends. Just food, I promise.”
I look at him. He looks back, patient, no pressure, and I am so tired of everything being complicated.
“Okay.”
The café has m
