Lines We Crossed

Chapter 2 — First Day, First Trouble

Lena tightened the strap of her backpack and took a deep breath at the top of the stairs. The scent of coffee drifted from the kitchen, along with the low murmur of voices. She could hear her mother’s cheerful tone, and beneath it deep, smooth, and infuriatingly casual Nate’s.

She walked in to find him leaning back in his chair, hair still damp from a shower, hoodie sleeves pushed up to reveal tanned forearms. He was eating toast like he had all the time in the world, while Richard read the paper across from him.

“Morning, princess,” Nate drawled without looking up.

Lena froze mid-step. “Don’t call me that.”

He finally glanced at her, blue eyes glinting with amusement. “Why not? You look like one. All proper. All… delicate.” His gaze flicked deliberately to her sweater. “Although, that outfit’s kind of tragic. Did you get lost in the donation bin?”

Her cheeks heated instantly. “Wow. You’re charming.”

Richard cleared his throat, but Nate’s smirk didn’t fade.

“Nate,” Richard said, “make sure Lena finds her classes today.”

“Oh, I’ll make sure she’s noticed,” Nate replied, tone so dry it was hard to tell if he was joking.

Lena didn’t bother asking for a ride Evelyn had already given him her blessing to drive her. The moment they were in his car, he turned the music up loud enough that she had to lean toward him to be heard.

“You always this grumpy in the morning?” she asked.

“I’m not grumpy,” he said, eyes on the road. “I just think it’s funny.”

“What is?”

“That you think you’re going to blend in here.” He shot her a side glance, slow and deliberate. “New girl, living with me, showing up together? People are going to eat it up. I give it… an hour before the rumors start.”

She crossed her arms. “Maybe if you stop talking about me”

“Not my problem,” he cut in smoothly. “I don’t control what people think. And honestly? Watching you squirm might be the only entertainment I get today.”

By the time they reached the parking lot, Lena’s irritation was simmering. The moment she stepped out, she felt the stares. Nate walked ahead without slowing down for her, greeting people left and right while she trailed behind like an afterthought.

He didn’t show her to her locker right away. Instead, he made her follow him to a group of guys by the entrance.

“This is my step-sister,” he announced casually, loud enough for half the hallway to hear. “She’s shy. Be nice. Or don’t.”

The group chuckled, throwing her curious glances that made her skin prickle.

When he finally pointed out her locker, he did it like it was a favor she didn’t deserve. “There. Try not to get lost on your way to class. This school isn’t as small as whatever backwater you came from.”

Her jaw tightened. “Thanks for the tip.”

By lunch, she was ready to disappear. She had just found an empty table near the windows when a shadow fell over her tray.

“You’re sitting alone?” Nate’s voice carried that mock-surprise tone. “That’s depressing. Come on.”

Before she could refuse, he grabbed her juice box off the table and started walking toward the center of the cafeteria. She had no choice but to follow.

He slid into a spot among his friends, placing her juice in front of an empty chair. “This is Lena,” he told the group. “She’s living with me, so don’t hit on her unless you’re ready to deal with the consequences.”

The boys laughed; the girls gave her the kind of smile that meant trouble.

Lena stared at him. “Wow. Thanks for making that awkward.”

He leaned closer, voice low enough only she could hear. “Aw, relax, princess. This is just how we do things here. I’m breaking you in.”

She was still deciding whether to walk away when cold water spilled over her lap. She jumped back, gasping at the icy shock.

“Oh, man, my bad,” one of the guys said with a grin that didn’t look sorry at all.

Before she could respond, Nate laughed. “Guess you’re making a splash on your first day.”

The table erupted in snickers. Lena’s face burned. She stood abruptly, grabbing her tray, but Nate’s voice stopped her.

“Hey, don’t pout. It’s all in good fun. You’ll thank me later for helping you toughen up.”

She walked away without answering, her hands shaking anot from the cold, but from the sudden realization that Nate Reynolds might be the biggest problem she’d face in this school.

And he seemed to be enjoying every second of it.