Lucas flipped him off, and Trina laughed, her stick digging into the table.
“Concentrate on the game, Rina,” Collins commanded. “Seriously, my mom plays better than you. And she’s blind!”
“Maybe Trina’s just that poor of a player,” Justin said as if sticking up for her. “Ever think of that?”
Trina blew him a raspberry.
I liked that the group was so relaxed around Justin now. He’d proved himself. He was one of us.
“See you girls around. I’m going to dominate that pool table,” he called, moving off.
Reeve’s gaze continually darted to the entrance. “The second Bronx gets here, I’m going to corner him and we’re going to talk. We haven’t discussed anything that’s happened, haven’t dared broach the subject of a future together. We’ve just hung out without fighting—which is a first for us, yes, but it’s not enough.”
“Good for you,” Kat said. “If he doesn’t tell you everything you want to hear, I’ll have Frosty beat him up.”
“But...” Reeve shifted from one bare foot to the other. “What if he doesn’t want me? What if he liked having an excuse to stay away from me?”
“Please tell me I don’t get silly ideas like this,” I said to Kat.
“Well, do you want me to lie?” she replied.
I fought a grin. “He wants you,” I said to Reeve. “There’s no question about that. I mean, you weren’t there the night we discovered you sneaking out to meet Ethan. Wait. You were there, you just didn’t know we were. He freaked out. Like, hard-core.”
“Really?” she asked hopefully.
“Really.”
“Ali-Kat Bell,” Kat said, putting her hands on her hips. “You caught Reeve sneaking out and you never thought to share the information with me?”
“Or me,” Mr. Ankh said from behind us, and we all stiffened. “I brought up a tray of snacks. Ali, why don’t you and Kat go eat and give me a few moments alone with Miss Prison Break?”
I mouthed an apology and headed to the table, Kat at my side.
I smacked into Veronica.
We both ricocheted a few steps back. “Sorry,” I mumbled.
“Yeah,” she replied. Neither of us moved away.
Kat hadn’t noticed the interruption and rooted around the tray Mr. Ankh had brought.
“I’m not sure what Cole sees in you,” Veronica said softly.
Cole and I hadn’t made anything official yet, but he was committed to me. I could tell her to stay away from him, but I didn’t want to be that girl. If I couldn’t trust him with Veronica, even if she came sniffing around, I shouldn’t be with him.
“It’s safe to say he sees something he likes.” I tried to step around her, but she moved with me. “Do you really want to do this here, now, and ruin everyone’s night?”
“You’re right,” she said, and I could tell she was fighting tears. “I’ve finally accepted that’s not going to change. I guess I’m sorry I made a play for him.”
I...wasn’t sure how to respond. Gee, thanks seemed like a mistake.
“Cole and I wouldn’t have lasted long anyway.”
Was this a trick? This had to be a trick? “Why do you say that?”
“Other than his massive obsession with you?” she said, and my heart fluttered. “I’ve never argued with him. I’ve always acquiesced. But you...you beat him up and call him names, and he can’t stop panting for more. I want no part of that kind of relationship.”
Poor girl had no idea what she was missing.
“Well, I hope you find what you do want,” I said, and that was about as gracious as I could manage considering the circumstances.
She closed her eyes for a moment. When she refocused, her vulnerability was replaced by anger. “Just don’t hurt him, or I’ll do more than make another play for him. I’ll reveal my ace and bury you.” With that, she was gone.
Her ace? What was her ace?
Why did I even care? He’d tattooed my name on his chest. He was mine, period.