“Don’t even think about it, asshole,” I say, knowing I should reel it in before this gets any worse, or hell, before Colby finds me and insists on defending my honor by trying to beat the shit out of these guys, though he would lose. These guys look as though they eat bitches like Colby for breakfast. “If you need someone to suck your dick, why don’t you ask your friend here? He seems to have a big mouth. Clearly he needs something to shut him up.”
A strange hush falls over the room, the music still thumping but the bodies all seem to have stopped. Unease settles over me, and as I glance to the side, I realize that everyone is watching me. Now, I don’t know shit about private school politics, but I know drunk high school kids, and when something gains the attention of the whole room, it’s not good. These guys are obviously a big deal, and I just got myself into a world of trouble—exactly where I don’t want to be.
Flirty guy looks nervously toward the scary dude, and I conclude that I just insulted the king of the jocks. He doesn’t respond, and I don’t know if his silence should intimidate me, but as it is, I just have to dig myself a deeper hole. “Let me guess,” I say, trailing my gaze over him, taking in his big shoulders and strong chest, right down to the way his wet shirt sticks to his holy grail of bodies. “Quarterback? Whole school thinks you’re a bigger deal than what you are? Bad attitude and gets whatever he wants by acting like a twat, but gets away with it because the school sees you as royalty? ’Bout right?”
Flirty guy laughs, throws his heavy arm back over his friend’s shoulder and slaps his hand across his chest. “Holy fuck, bro. She got you down in one go.” He turns his attention back to me, the corner of his lip pulling into a cocky grin. “It’s been fun, but you’re climbing up the wrong tree, baby. I suggest you back the fuck down. I wouldn’t want to see a pretty little thing like you find herself in trouble.”
Reading into his words, I take it for what it is. He’s letting me off the hook, giving me a chance to run before shit goes any further south, and not needing to be told twice, I give him a tight smile and nod. “You and I know it’s already too late for that, but good idea nonetheless,” I tell him, averting my gaze, hating the way I can still feel his heavy stare on the side of my face.
I go to step away, but his hand shoots out and captures my chin. Scary dude steps into me, forcing my chin up until my eyes lock on his, holding me captive. “Where the fuck do you think you’re going?” His tone is deep and murmured, and despite the music, I hear every last word as though he spoke straight to my soul.
I try to keep myself calm despite the way my heart thunders erratically in my chest, so wild and terrified that it hurts. “Don’t make me knee you in the balls,” I warn him. “It’s a cheap shot, but trust me when I tell you, I am not above taking it.”
His gaze narrows and I try to keep myself breathing.
A moment of silence passes before his fingers begin to loosen on my chin. “Watch yourself,” he tells me as I tear my chin free from his warm grip. “I never forget a face.”
His threat is loud and clear. I’ve insulted him here tonight. I’ve spilled beer all over him, suggested he suck his friend’s dick, and called him out for being a typical douche jock. He won’t forget it, and at some point, I’ll have to pay. I refuse to release his stare, showing that I’m not scared of him despite the terror causing havoc over my body. “You sound like a treat,” I tell him. “Listen, great meeting you and all, but I’ve had a shit night and I’m not about to stick around and wait for one of your friends to start groping me, but it’s nice to know that you’ll be spending your days unable to forget my face when I can guarantee that the moment I walk away from here tonight, I won’t even think twice about yours.”
He continues watching me as his friend just stares, looking between the two of us as though he’s never witnessed someone having the balls to fight back. He’s almost mesmerized by me, and if I were on my own turf, I might even feel good about it, but the rich boys of a private school are unpredictable, and I want nothing to do with them.