Year One

22

Rage jerked away from me like a bad habit. “It’s about time you jackasses finally got here.”

“It sure seemed to me like we interrupted something.” Cole stepped into the clearing with Damien right beside him.

“I was just leaving.” I really didn’t want to deal with them at that moment. I only went for a walk to be alone and clear my head. Not be with Rage and get even more confused.

“No, Ravey.” Cole pouted and headed over, grabbing my hand.

A heavy growl resonated from deep inside Rage as his eyes zoned in on our hands.

“Maybe you should let her go.” Damien placed himself in between Cole and Rage. “Did you invite Ashley to meet us here too?”

Her name was like an instant cold shower. He had someone, and so did I. There wasn’t anything between us, and allowing myself to be weak would only get me hurt.

“No, I’d never bring her here.” Rage flinched backward, increasing the distance between us.

There was an awkward silence that descended around us. “I needed to get out for a while and probably should be heading back. Jess will be worried about me.”

“You do need your rest.” It felt like Damien was really inspecting me. “You had a hard day today. Tomorrow, you’ll attend the supernatural cultures class, so you’ll get a day's break.”

“That class is horrible but interesting.” Cole seemed to glow in the moonlight. “But it’s important stuff. Do you need me to walk you home?”

“I’m fine, but thanks.” I wanted to get away—escape. “Have fun tonight.” I wanted to add ‘not too much fun,’ but I bit my tongue.

I glanced at Rage one last time and made myself turn away. Staying here would only make things worse.

As I entered the cafeteria with Jess the next morning, my appetite just about vanished when I saw Ashley sitting with the guys. From what it had sounded like, she didn’t get to do that regularly, so it took me by surprise.

Her hair was piled in a messy bun with strands cascading around her face. She was leaning into Rage with a huge smile on her face, but the guys were sitting there, barely speaking a word to one another.

“Why is she sitting with them?” Jess frowned and slowed her pace.

“No clue.” I didn’t want to talk about it. Although, the more I saw her practically sitting in Rage’s lap, the more I wanted to puke or throw a tantrum. Even though I had no claim on him.

Forcing myself to remain calm, I grabbed a plate and began piling on the food. There were eggs, bacon, Belgian waffles, and all kinds of fruit. I thought maybe I could eat away my feelings.

Jess remained quiet as she fixed her plate too, and we finished around the same time.

There was a vacant table on the other side of the cafeteria from the guys, so I nodded in that direction. “Let’s sit there.”

“But Cole is waving at you.” Jess’s forehead creased, but she followed me as I walked over to the table.

“I don’t really care.” That was partly true, so I wasn’t lying. I couldn’t be over there, not with Ashley and Rage. I didn’t need any other people seeming to target me. I already had the vampire princess pissed. At this very moment, Jordan was staring at me with pure hatred.

Even though my appetite was still gone, I grabbed my fork and shoveled a large amount of eggs on it. There was no telling what might happen today, so I needed to fuel up.

“I’m sorry about Rage.” Jess dropped her voice, and she frowned.

Oh, hell no. “There isn’t anything to be sorry about.” I took a bite of eggs, but that didn’t prevent me from talking. “He’s an ass, and they are a match made in heaven. It doesn’t phase me. Anyway, I have a boyfriend.”

“You haven’t dumped that loser yet?” Cole rolled his eyes and dropped into one of the vacant seats between Jess and me.

“We’ve been together since we were sixteen.” I lifted my fork with another pile of eggs on it and ate the large bite. “It’s not like three days were going to change that.”

“It’s kind of hard to believe that you’ve only been here three days.” Cole wiggled his eyebrows. “You’ve already got two sets of enemies. Not to mention messing around with one of my best friends. You’re the missing link I’ve been searching for.”

“First off, I’m not messing around with anyone.” Why did everyone think Rage and I had something between us? We didn’t. It was just mutual dislike. “Secondly, the reason why I have one set of enemies is sitting right here.” I pointed at him sitting at our table.

Cole placed his elbows on the table and propped his head in his hands. “Oh, please. Tell me more.”

“You’re such an ass.” I grabbed a piece of bacon and twirled it around like it was a weapon. “Learn some manners.” I crammed the whole piece in my mouth.

“You know, you’re right.” Smirking, he leaned back in his seat and pointed to me. “Obviously, I should be learning etiquette from you.”

Jess exploded into giggles until I glared at her, and then she mashed her lips together. “I’m sorry, but he’s kind of on-point right now … with you.”

“Traitor.” I grabbed a napkin and wiped the grease from my fingers. “Who is my second set of enemies?”

“Ashley.” A smirk crossed his face. “What are you going to do about it?”

“Why in the world would she be mad at me?” I haven’t done anything for her to be upset. Sure, Rage was hot, but it wasn’t like I was publicly acknowledging it.

“Because Rage has taken more notice of you than he ever has of her.” He turned his body around and tilted his head toward their table.

There sat Ashley talking to Rage, but he was glancing off in another direction, not even pretending to pay attention.

“Can you stop talking?” Damien grumbled, but the words were clear to everyone in the cafeteria.

“What?” Ashley flinched at the words, and her mouth dropped open.

“Do you not understand English?” Damien stood, and the cafeteria silenced. “I said shut the f**k up.”

“You can’t talk to me like that.” Ashley glanced at Rage and grabbed his arm. “Tell him.”