After the boys complete their suspension, and we’ve all written our ten-thousand-word essay, Dylan’s father finally lets us off the hook.
The following days, everyone around this campus looks at me like I’m a devil in disguise. Whispers of my story about those Phantom boys have gone all around the university, and even though most believe my story, no one really dares to get close anymore.
All because I’m a part of the clique who got caught up in that unresolved murder case.
As I walk down the hallway, Dylan and Alistair walk out of a classroom where Felix waits for them, leaning against the wall. He hands Dylan a cigarette while holding up his own, and Dylan lights both before they all walk down the hallway in my direction.
A devious smirk grows on Dylan’s face when he spots me while Alistair remains aloof, as always. But Felix’s eyes scare me most of all. Possessive. Greedy. An all-consuming stare that could bore a hole into my chest and rip out my heart while it’s still beating.
They’re headed straight toward me, but instead of turning around, I face them head-on, just as I did the first time I met them in these same hallways.
And when they get close, Dylan runs to me and wraps his arm around my neck so tight I might choke.
“Hey, cute little rat,” he says, rubbing my hair so it’s all messy.
“Oh my God, I told you not to call me that,” I retort, shoving him, but he won’t let go, and for some reason, it makes me laugh too.
“Okay, little slut,” he rebukes.
My jaw drops. “We’re in public.”
“So? Doesn’t make you any less ours,” Felix says as he stands behind me and leans over, holding the cigarette between his index finger and thumb. “Want a smoke?”
I shake my head. “No, thanks. My uncle died of lung cancer. I’ve seen what it does.”
Felix shrugs. “Suit yourself.” He takes another whiff, then casually puts his hand on my waist.
“No smoking in the hallways, Rivera!” a teacher yells from down the hall.
Felix just raises his brow and keeps smoking until we get to the teacher, after which he chucks it on the ground in front of him and stomps it out. “There you go. It’s all yours now.”
“Insufferable little—”
“Did you forget who’s on the fucking school board?” Felix says, shoving his hands into his pocket, which I know is a sign he’s getting pissed.
“You know the rules—”
“I’ll make sure that rule is fucking changed,” Felix interjects. “And the day it does, you won’t find out because you’ll be fucking gone.”
Then he walks off like it meant nothing at all, even though the teacher seems horrified that he’d even have that kind of power.
When I spot Kayla talking just beyond the grand doors of the building, I leave the boys and run up to them. “Hey, girls. Sorry, I’m late for our usual picnic.”
They eye me as though I’ve risen from the dead. “Are you sure you want to come?” Crystal peeks over my shoulder. “Seems like you’ve been busy.”
I shrug. “They won’t get in the way.” I glare at them over my shoulder. “Right, boys?”
Dylan shrugs. “Ali, wanna go get some burgers?”
“Fuck yeah, I’m game,” he replies, and they walk off together while Felix remains with me.
“You’re not going with them?” I ask him.
“No,” he retorts, hovering behind me like a goddamn ghost. “Someone’s gotta keep tabs.”
I frown. “Tabs?” Wow, offensive. “I’m not a fucking toddler.”
His brow rises. “I don’t care what you think.”
My eyes narrow as I lean in. “I don’t need to be watched.”
He leans in too now, getting eye to eye. “Did you forget about the Phantoms? Kai’s still out there. You’ve got a target on your back now. I’m watching.”
I grit my teeth. “Fine.” I point my finger at his chest. “But I don’t want to hear you insult any of my friends, got it?”
He grabs my finger and gently brings it to his lips, sucking on the tip. “Command me some more. I might grow to like it.”
I heat like a kettle about to whistle. “Oh my God.” I rip my finger away before I blush, and I turn around, determined to ignore him.
“Seems you two have got some marital problems,” Kayla jests.
“He’d wish he could put a ring on this finger,” I retort.
“C’mon, the others are waiting,” Crystal says.
Felix grumbles behind me, so I throw him a glance, but he doesn’t open his mouth. Good. I don’t want him to ruin the one good thing I’ve got going for me.
“Does he have to come?” Kayla whispers to me.
I nod. “Sorry. Something about the Phantoms. He’s worried about me after … well the incident at the hot springs.” I roll my eyes.
“I heard some guys tried to take advantage of you,” Crystal whispers. “Is that true?”
Rumors travel fast here. “Sort of.”
“I’m sorry,” Crystal adds.
“Nothing too bad happened,” I say. “Ali and Dylan were there to protect me.”
“Ali? Nickname basis already?” Kayla shoves me with her elbow. “You’re getting too close for comfort, girl.”
“Hey,” Felix snarls at her, and we both turn around to look at him. “Don’t touch her.”
Kayla grimaces. “You’re a lovely fucking dude, aren’t you?” she scoffs. “Asshole.”
He steps closer to her. “I’ll show you how fucking lovely I can be.”
They’re up in each other’s faces again, so I jump between them. “Stop. Just fucking stop, okay?” I bark at him. “If you can’t fucking behave around her, then leave.”
“No,” he says through gritted teeth.
“Why not? Nothing’s gonna happen.” I point at my friends in the grass. “Who’s gonna try to do something in the middle of the day while we’re having a picnic? Not even the Phantoms are that stupid.”
“I would rather cut off my own finger than leave you alone,” he grits.
It doesn’t just make Kayla’s eyes widen. Everyone in our vicinity is staring at us.
He’d go that far just to keep me safe?
I can feel my cheeks heat again, and I hate it.
And judging from the penetrative stare in his eyes, I already know arguing with him will be futile.
“Fine,” I growl, folding my arms. “Sit with us. But quietly. I don’t want to hear you moping around.”
“Lead the way,” he says, eyeing Kayla too.
She rolls her eyes and turns to walk away, and I follow suit.
“Sorry about that,” I tell her.
“I don’t get what you see in them. I really don’t,” she says.
“I’m sorry they treat you like shit. I’ve already told him he needs to quit that.” I swallow. “You guys are my friends, and they just need to accept that, end of story.”
“So they’re all like hanging out with you or something?” Crystal asks.
I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, laughing it off because I don’t know how to answer this without sounding ridiculous. “It’s complicated.”
“With those boys? For sure,” Kayla says, rolling her eyes.
Crystal laughs. “They sound like a handful to me. But at least they’re protective over you.”
“Protective?” Kayla snorts. “More like stalkerish.”
Felix grumbles again, but he doesn’t say a word. Good. I don’t need more trouble. I’ve got enough as it is with him following me everywhere from now on.
We walk up to the rest of the guys sitting in the grass, and they all look up in surprise like they never expected to see me here.
“Hey, Pen. Long time no see,” Jeremy says.
“Pen! Not covered in gunk today, I see,” Calvin says, and Jeremy punches him in the knee for saying that out loud. I’m just glad I didn’t have to do it myself.
“Look who’s with her,” Jeremy hisses at him.
Calvin’s eyes lurch up to Felix’s, and he loses all the color in his face. “Um … why is he here?”
“He’s her stalker,” Kayla announces like it’s not a joke at all.
“He’s a friend. He won’t be a bother, I promise,” I add.
Calvin almost chokes. “Friend?”
I turn to look at Felix. “He’ll just sit in a corner, far away. Right, Felix?”
He rolls his eyes and sighs. “I’m not letting you out of my sight.”
I’m so fucking embarrassed he just said that out loud like it’s a normal thing to do because everyone heard.
“Oh my God,” Jeremy mutters.
Calvin snorts. “Oh, she’s got it good.”
“You can just ignore him,” I say as Felix sits down on the farthest tip of the picnic blanket, his nostrils twitching like the mere smell of their food sets him off.
“Tough luck,” Kayla jests. “Fucker is like a statue.”
“Oh, c’mon now, he can’t be that bad,” Crystal says, smiling at me. “She likes him so there must be something nice about him.”
Okay, now I’m really blushing. “He just helps me.”
“With what?” Calvin asks.
Oh Jesus. How do I answer this?
“He …”
“He’s her silent protector,” Kayla jests, putting her finger in front of her mouth. “Like a goddamn ninja warrior.”
The boys laugh, and Jeremy says, “Cringe.”
“I wouldn’t put it past him to suddenly ninja kick the shit out of someone just for looking at her, though,” Calvin says.
“Come here and find out,” Felix retorts.
“Felix,” I warn him, so he folds his arms and looks away again, annoyed as hell. “As I said, ignore him.”
“Wow,” Calvin mutters. “I’m impressed.”
“Eat your fucking sandwich,” Jeremy says, and he stuffs the sandwich Calvin brought into his mouth so harshly half of it falls onto the blanket.
I laugh. “Good thing I brought plenty more.” I pull out my big shopper and hand out some sandwiches. “On the house.”
“Wow, thanks, Pen!” Crystal says as she takes one. “That’s so nice of you.”
“I just wanted to do something to make it up to y’all. You know, for disappearing on you so much.” I look over my shoulder at Felix who just sits there, staring at me. “And for him being an asshole to you, Kayla.”
She smiles at me. “It’s not your fault. I totally blame him.” She throws him some shade. “We should meet up at a club later. Maybe we can get rid of him there.”
“Oh yes!” Calvin exclaims. “I know just the place downtown. Delectable. It’s like a drag bar.”
“Perfect,” Kayla responds.
“That’s an exclusive one,” Jeremy responds. “No way we’ll get inside without tickets. And I don’t know anyone on the inside.”
“Well, we can try,” Crystal says.
“I know a better place,” Felix suddenly interjects, and everyone looks at him like they can’t believe he’s about to suggest something. “Club RIVERA.”
Kayla’s jaw drops. “What? But that’s—”
“My father’s,” he fills in, tilting his head. “And very much exclusive … unless you know someone on the inside.”
I frown.
Why would he suggest that?
Though, being there would probably be one of the safest locations, far away from Phantom hands, and it would make it easier to stay on the lookout for Kai.
“Wait … are you seriously suggesting we go to your dad’s club?” Calvin asks, his jaw almost on the ground. “Holy shit.”
“Calvin, you cannot be serious right now,” Jeremy says, rolling his eyes. “Really? You’re simping over a RIVERA club?”
“What? They’ve got the best snacks, and I don’t just mean the food.” He licks his lips. “I need to see that shit for myself.”
“Sellout,” Jeremy mutters under his breath.
“Like you don’t want to see some hung horse dancing on stage,” Calvin rebukes.
“Wait, is this real? Are you trying to invite us?” Kayla asks, pointing at all of us while gawking at Felix. “Your sworn enemies?”
“You’re not my enemies,” he retorts. “Or you would’ve known, trust me.”
Kayla rolls her eyes. “Thanks. That totally makes me feel better.”
“Why not give it a chance?” Crystal asks. “It can’t be that bad if it’s like the most exclusive club in town. Besides, we need to celebrate after you aced that last test.” She bumps into Kayla and wraps her arms around her neck. “C’mon, Kay. Can we go? Please?”
Kayla sighs out loud. “Okay, okay.”
Crystal cheers and plants a kiss on Kayla’s cheek. “We deserve a night out.”
I eye Felix. I don’t know why he’s doing this. It almost feels like he’s got an ulterior motive.
But I don’t want to disappoint my friends.
So with a smirk on my face, I say, “All right … if Mr. Rivera personally invited us, I guess it’s time we paid that club a visit.”
