Heather looks at me like I’m a reality show she can’t get enough of. “And—”
“And he definitely was affected. Whether or not it was in lust or disgust is the question.”
If I’m honest, he stared at me like I’m a buttery steak he knows he shouldn’t eat but can’t wait to sink his teeth into. My heart throttles at the memory. Those damn eyes and smirk. Suddenly, it’s hot in the classroom.
“Lust, obviously. Have you seen yourself?” Heather groans dramatically, making the shape of an hourglass with her hands, and fans herself.
I shrug. “Not to him. He is cold as ice.”
“You would be hot to anyone, girl. The man is full of shit.”
“He is that, for sure. He may think I’m hot, but he also thinks I’m trash. His pretentious ass wouldn’t touch me with his maids’ double-layered gloves.”
“Your gloves,” she corrects with a disbelieving shake of the head.
“I’m one of many.”
“Damn. How rich is he?”
“Rich enough, he shouldn’t care about my inheritance.”
She lifts a brow. “Then why does he?”
“Good question.” I look down at my hands and back at my friend. “It’s weird that he wants me close. He says he wants to drive me insane. But something tells me it’s more than that.”
“Do you think he’s trying to nullify the will?”
My upper teeth bite down on my lower lip. “A part of me does. There is no question he resents his father and resents me for being important to him. But the thing is, he’s sketchy AF. He’s crooked. If he wanted to steal my money, he could.”
“Maybe it’s really about making you live with him so he can see what will hurt you most, then he’s going to strike.”
I nod in agreement.
“I also think this has to do with what happened to his family. He holds me responsible for some reason.”
“Crazy, since he doesn’t even know you. Otherwise, he’d realize what a great person you are.”
“You’re obligated to say that. You’re my friend.” I’m smiling, but it fades as soon as my mind drifts back to Trent. “I can’t even pretend to understand the motive. Nor do I want to. All I want to do is survive. If I clean some dishes, that’s okay. I just can’t let him ever have ammunition on me. That would be disastrous.”
“Keep him away from your sister.”
“Understatement of the year. Erin is likely to hit on him.”
“I’m surprised she hasn’t.”
We both start laughing. Not that my sister is particularly funny, but when someone is this way, you just gotta laugh it off.
“She’s not that bad.”
“She’s not good either.”
Erin is a conundrum. There were moments right after our parents died that she was caring, but that version of my sister faded fast. Probably the moment she realized how hard it actually was going to be to raise me alone.
She went from being my sister to being someone I no longer knew. That and the biggest narcissist on earth.
It all depends on her mood.
Her ups and her downs.
Unfortunately, that mood is often dependent on her finances and whether she has a man in her life.
Right now, she’s a loose wire.
Sure, she has someone, but I can’t be sure about her finances.
I’m not sure how Ronald set her up.
If he gave her money before he went away.
It isn’t my business to ask.
I’m trying to protect myself.
Now, I’m just trying to get as far away from everything, including Trent, as possible.
Eight months.
You can do anything for eight months.
“Listen,” Heather says, turning to face me so she knows she has my attention. “Do what you have to do. Keep your eyes open. Don’t ever let your guard down. Be careful and bide your time.”
“I will.”
“And know I am always here for you. Always.”
“Thanks, I appreciate it.”
“Come on. If we don’t stop talking, we will never pass this class. Especially after what happened last time you were here, you don’t want to draw any more attention to yourself.”
She’s right.
Everything she said is true.
I can get through anything. I have already been through so much. I can handle a rich prick like Trent.
I just need to keep my wits about me.
Not pay attention to him.
Stay far away from him.
And certainly not allow myself to even look at him.
Because that’s one thing I didn’t tell her.
I might have told her how I stripped bare for him, but I didn’t mention that a part of me wanted him to look. I wanted to get a rise out of him, and a small part, a part I don’t want to acknowledge, wanted to see the hate in his eyes replaced by lust. And for the briefest moment, I got my wish.
17
Payton
* * *
I hate that I dutifully came back here.
I hate that I’m playing this game.
I hate that whenever I’m here, I feel as if he’s won.
As if he owns me.
Put a smile on your face. Pretend to be happy.