I hopped back into the changing room, a bit shocked by their attack. I slipped into my clothes and wrung out as much of my hair as I could. Then I threw all my hygiene products back into my caddy.
When I stepped out, I saw Lincoln was waiting for me. He took my caddy and dirty clothing from me. “Let’s go eat,” he bade me.
“Sounds good to me,” I gave them a smile, like their words hadn’t hurt me.
I knew I would probably be harboring the same thoughts they did if they didn’t understand my life. I really didn’t care about what they thought about the guys or me, but I would be lying if I didn’t say it didn’t bother me. It did. Before I was introduced to this life, I thought it was profoundly immoral. Now it was my way of life, and there was nothing I could do about it.
My gifts were now an integral part of who I was. There was no turning back. We couldn’t be in the battle the other day, and it had killed me. I had never been filled with so much longing and feelings of uselessness.
Before we left the room, I was surprised by Lincoln grabbing me by my hips and spinning me. I was so preoccupied with my thoughts I didn’t even notice his lips descending onto mine until it was too late. His lips were demanding and persuasive. I opened my mouth, surprised by his actions and by the feelings his kiss invoked in me. I felt the warmth in my stomach spread.
He took advantage of my parted lips, and his tongue plunged into my mouth. My tongue dueled with his, both turned on and angry for him for not asking to kiss me first. I knew it was all for show, but I didn’t see how him kissing me would help my cause any further.
He finally pulled away, and my breathing was heavier. I had to stop myself from swaying into him.
“Hungry?” he asked with desire and a mocking look in his eyes. I knew he didn’t just mean just for food.
I nodded, not trusting myself to speak.
I was relieved to see most of the guys sitting at the table for lunch. I went into the line and grabbed five hard-shelled tacos, refried beans, rice, and a side salad.
“Are you going to eat all of that?” Lincoln asked in a surprised tone.
“Every bite,” I said confidently. “I’ve been in hibernation for a day.”
I reached the table by then and noticed only Drake was missing. I automatically assumed that he was back in the kitchens.
Noah groaned. “You really need to stop making a joke of all this.”
I snorted. “Says Noah, the man who handles almost everything with jokes. By the way, how’s working with Stacey again?”
Noah whipped his head around at Troy and glared at him. “You told her. I didn’t even know she was awake yet. How did you have time to tell her?”
“I didn’t,” Troy said dryly with a smirk. “You just did.”
“Tell me what?” I asked before pouring some hot sauce onto my taco.
“She came onto me,” Noah mumbled.
I shrugged. “Were you flirting with her?” I asked suspiciously.
“No,” he stated emphatically. “I purposely take the opposite rounds as her.”
I nodded, he sounded sincere. “Want me to beat her up?” I joked.
Noah breathed a loud sigh of relief. “No, it’s cool, but I did ask Pops to send her back with the few Knights that are returning. She’s not needed anymore, and Dani from SC is a beast. She’s almost as good as me…or as I used to be.”
“She also has a crush on Noah,” Jaxson interjected.
Noah glared at Jaxson now. “Really man! Why is everyone ganging up on me today? By the way, I took Ella’s music player and tablet away.”
I looked at him surprised. I didn’t care about Dani and her crush. I cared about what would have warranted Noah taking away privileges from my younger sister. Noah was a pushover, and for him to have taken anything away from her, it must be severe.
“What did she do?” I asked with concern.
“She wasn’t listening in dance class today and was distracting the other children,” Noah explained. “I asked her nicely three times to stop distracting the others, and she didn’t listen. So, I finally told her if she didn’t stop I would take away her tablet and music player. She told me she didn’t care, so I took it away from her. Needless to say, she had a huge meltdown.”
“I was walking past the room, when I heard her,” Troy added. “I took her up to Pops. I think she’s sitting with the therapist right now.”