Dani lets out a yelp.
“Lance is playing?” she asks.
Baron notices her standing next to me then.
“Yeah, he’s playing with his band—you know the Ten Knox Nails.”
“No way! Lance is in Ten Knox Nails?” Dani’s forgets her usual star struck demeanor whenever she’s around one of the Dynasty heirs and it’s replaced by her enthusiasm for music.
“Yeah, they rock. You’re Dani, right?” Baron says, flashing that smile that no doubt makes all the panties on campus drop.
Dani and I are both surprised that he knows her name. Somehow it makes him less of an ass in my eyes.
“Yeah, nice to meet you,” she replies, reverting back to shyness.
He regards her curiously for a moment.
“Do I know you from somewhere?” he asks, and we’re all confused now.
“Yeah, she goes to your school, remember?” I say, sarcastically.
Baron only shakes his head and his eyes look like they’re trying to piece together a puzzle. Clearly thinking makes his brain hurt, because he doesn’t look like he’s enjoying it.
“No—I mean somewhere else?”
I see Dani flush then and now I’m curious.
“Well, ah … my parents are workers on the Aldebran estate so …”
My eyes dart to Dani in surprise. I wonder why she hadn’t mentioned this before. But then I know all too well what it’s like not to want to tell people about your background, because you don’t want anyone judging you. I get that and I can respect that. I remember then what Dani told me on the first day of school, about not being of noble lineage. But I find myself admiring her courage all the more now—all these years she’s had to go to school with these privileged pricks, all of them probably looking down their noses at her because her parents are the hired help.
I feel myself stiffen as I watch Baron’s reaction, ready to tell him to get lost if he says anything even remotely derogatory. But he just flashes that easy smile, not a hint of snobbery.
“So, about those drinks—can I get you girls one?” He asks.
Despite his surprisingly cool reaction to Dani’s revelation, the invitation still makes me eye him suspiciously, and my guard is back up.
“Why? Are you going to piss in them?” I ask, eyes narrowed.
Baron throws his head back and lets out a loud laugh, which is kind of infectious.
“No, of course not. Call it a peace offering,” he replies, eyes twinkling.
“I need to go help the band set up, but you guys go ahead,” Dani says then.
“You’re playing?” Baron asks.
“Yep. Gotta go—you’ll be okay here, right, Jazmine?”
I want to say no and beg her to stay, but I know that would be ridiculous. So, I nod and force myself to smile.
“Well …?” Baron prompts, gesturing to the bar.
I think it over. I still don’t trust him, but I guess a truce with at least one of the people responsible for making my life a living hell, can only be a good thing.
“Fine. But I’m going to the bar with you—just in case.”
He looks offended.
“Jeez, you think I’d drug your drink? Got trust issues much? I may sleep around, but I don’t need to drug girls to get them into bed with me. I can do that with just a smile.”
He flashes me what must be his most charming smile, and I let myself laugh in response. This guy is incorrigible, well aware of his reputation and proud of it. Somehow, it doesn’t infuriate me like it does when it comes to Raph.
“Not that this is me trying to get you into bed—I mean unless you want to.”
His eyes travel the length of me, and I can see that the little black dress has got his full attention.
“Because I mean—damn, sweetheart, that dress is … just damn.”
I roll my eyes then.
“Just get me the damn drink,” I retort. “I’ll have a vodka and soda.”
We stand at the edge of the dance floor with our drinks. The place is rammed and I don’t see anyone else I know. A group of guys who Baron says are from the soccer team greet him with some fist bumps and macho hugging as they pass. But other than that, I don’t see anyone that I know. I’m still not convinced that Baron is here alone, but I don’t ask about the other Dynasty heirs. Mostly because I don’t want to know.
“Look, I know you haven’t exactly been welcomed with open arms. I’ve played my part in that. But you’re one hell of a fighter and I guess what I’m trying to say is, that I respect you for that.”
I find myself smiling in response to that.
“Thanks—I think.”
“Besides, anyone who has the guts to throw their lunch on Raph in front of the entire school, is okay in my book.”
I let out a laugh then, because in hindsight, it was pretty damn funny.
“And don’t even get me started on how pissed he was when you blew up his ride.”
I laugh even louder, and he joins in.
“Man, he was so pissed, I think he busted an artery. I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a solar eclipse on Earth as a result.
“Throwing his trophies into the ocean is probably my favorite, though.”
I cover my face, and let out a groan. Not that I feel bad for what I did. The fucker deserved it.
“Couple your kickass attitude with the fact that you’re drop dead gorgeous, and I think you’re pretty much every guy’s dream girl.”
I get the feeling that Baron probably gives compliments out to girls like candy—everyone gets one. But I’m not offended by that, Baron doesn’t pretend to be anything other than he who he is—he’s fun and I guess in that moment, I’m long overdue for that. Plus, there’s the fact that he doesn’t make my skin feel like it’s on fire whenever I’m within two feet of him or make me feel like my insides are being put through the grinder whenever we lock eyes.
I roll my eyes in response to his words.
“Oh, come on, don’t tell me you don’t know how fucking gorgeous you are?” He echoes Dani’s words from a few days ago.
“Because, I know that every guy at Regency sprang a boner that first moment you walked onto campus.”
“Ew.” I cringe and Baron laughs in response.
“If that were true, then I wouldn’t be standing here all alone with you. Most guys at school treat me like I’ve got some contagious disease.”
Baron winces then. “Blame that one on Raph—he pretty much warned every guy to stay clear.”
I think that’s odd. But Baron is probably referring to the school-wide outcast label that I’ve been given and for that, I do most definitely blame Raph.
Baron and I get through two more rounds before Dani’s band starts playing. I’m no battle of the bands expert, but they’re pretty damn good.
“Your friend Dani’s an amazing singer,” Baron says as the band moves into their second set. I agree with him. she’s absolutely amazing and on stage the girl next door is replaced by a star who’s difficult to look away from.