Cass winked. “Okay, we’re talking about how Bullet Prince’s got a big rock-hard boner for you.” She looked at Molls. “That better for her majesty?”
Molly was now bright red, and Ally put an arm around her shoulders. “Nothing’s happening between us,” Molly muttered. Even Ally looked like she didn’t believe that excuse of a statement.
“Bullshit!” Cass spat out.
Molly dropped her books on my dresser and her hands hit her hips. “Cass, enough!”
Cass shrugged. “Whatever, Molls. You’ll be riding that bullet train in no time; you mark my words.”
Molly sighed and gripped the bridge of her nose. “Why do I bother?” she whispered.
“So now I’m with my hunky cowboy JD, Molls is sooo gonna be boning Bullet, Ally, well, she’s just too beautiful to remain single for long, so that only leaves you, Sexy Lexi, my little goth princess,” Cass said, leaning forward on the seat.
Molly and Ally walked over and sat beside me. Molly stared at the wooden floor. Cass tended to induce that shell-shocked demeanor in our timid English friend.
“I don’t think so, Cass. Not into the boy thing, thanks,” I assured.
Cass nodded and pursed her lips. “Ahh… You’re into pootang, not pork swords. The makeup, the weird clothes, the metal music, it finally makes sense.”
“Cass—”
“No, Lex, I get it. I’ve seen you checking out my rack. It’s cool. There’ll be some * we can hook you up with. I know, we’ll start with the ladies soccer team. Those bitches love—”
“Cass! I’m not a lesbian! Just stop!”
“Okay, calm down, girl! Ain’t no shame in licking clits.”
“Good Lord! Molly, Ally, can you get through to her!” I said, clearly exasperated beyond measure.
Molly laid her hand on my back, causing me to stop breathing and clench my teeth. I hated my back being touched.
Molly faced Cass. “I think she is simply saying she is not ready for a boyfriend yet, Cass. Leave her be. It’s none of our business.”
Cass was suddenly serious. “Why, Lex? You’ve never had a guy in the entire time I’ve known you. What’s going on?”
My heart set off thundering in my chest and my palms began to sweat. Molly’s hand froze on my back, and I knew she’d felt my tense reaction. At least she was the one person who was more private that me; she wouldn’t say anything.
“I just don’t, Cass. Let’s draw a line under that conversation, ’kay?”
Cass sighed and threw up her hands but let it go when I moved to check out the time on my phone.
Hell, I’m late!
I jumped from the bed and grabbed for my purse.
“You okay, darlin’?” Ally asked in concern, and I nodded with rote enthusiasm.
“I-I-I got a practice I g-gotta get to,” I sputtered evasively and began searching around my room for my car keys. I actually had my session with Dr. Lund, my shrink, and lately, they were essential. My thoughts were skirting into dangerous territory.
Ally’s eyebrows pulled down. “The cheer squad doesn’t have a practice tonight.” I froze, kept my back to my friends, and tried to come up with an excuse. I’d slipped up. Ally had only just quit the cheer squad to focus on her studies. She knew the schedule inside out.
“I… I set up a private session with Lyle. We’re gonna work on our stunts. Talk to you guys soon.”
As I exited the door, Cass gripped my hand. “You sure you’re okay, Lex? You’ve been real distracted lately. You’re not being yourself.”
Painting on my biggest faux smile, I nodded my head and adopted my go-to fake cheery persona. “Of course I am, Cass. My life’s just crazy hectic right now. I’m good, sweetie. I promise.”
With that, I fled out my door, dropping the act and becoming the real me for a little while.
Chapter Four
Austin
“And then this chick just dropped to her knees and ripped down my zipper—”
“For fuck sake, Reece, shut you’re goddamn mouth!” Rome threw down the barbell he was lifting and just glared at Reece, the freshman second-string QB who’d started to follow us around like a needy fuckin’ puppy.
“What? It’s not like you ain’t getting plenty ’a *, Bullet. Some of us are just happy with your castoffs. It was that redhead you screwed a few months back. The hot one with the huge rack.” He lifted his hands and motioned out from his chest.
I shook my head at the kid. Rome was about ready to rip off his head.
“Reece, man, go get two Gatorades, now,” I ordered. Shaking his head, the surfer-looking freshman hightailed it to the break room.
Rome walked toward me, clenching his fists. “I’m gonna wind up killing that damn kid before the year’s out,” he said tightly.
“He’s just young. You were like that once.”