Coldhearted Heir (The Heirs 1)

Rolling her eyes, she crouches down and picks up her book. “It’s not about you. If the students get away with treating you like shit, they’ll do the same to Fallon and Hana.”

I never thought of that. “And here I was trying to fly under the radar.”

Jade lets out a burst of air. “Yeah, that’s never going to happen. Grow a pair and stand up for yourself. I don’t want my friends to suffer, because you’re a coward.”

I have to close my eyes and grind down on my teeth, so I don’t lose my shit. “You know, for someone that’s so fucking vocal about people staying out of her business, you’re damn quick to stick your nose into others.” Not giving her time to respond, I stalk away.

That woman will be the end of my sanity one of these days!

Before I reach the steps of the library, Nate Sparks, a junior at the academy, approaches me. His friends are right behind him when he says, “You should give Melinda a chance. She’s a sweet piece of ass.”

After my fall out with Jade, I have zero patience left. “Fuck off.”

“You seriously need to get laid, dude,” Nate chuckles.

Stepping closer, I crowd his personal space. “Who the fuck do you think you’re calling dude?”

Cowering backward, he holds his hands up in a surrendering gesture. “Chill. I’m just being friendly.”

Pushing past the fucker, I growl, “We’re not friends.”

I stalk into the library, and students quickly part in front of me.

It’s going to be a long fucking year.Just wanting to hang with my friends, I agree when Jase says we should all go to Studio 9, a club nearby that only the elite can get into.

I’m dressed in a black pair of chinos and a button-up shirt. Grabbing my wool-cashmere topcoat, I shrug it on. When I step into the living room, Mila lets out a whistle and teases, “Ladies, hold onto your ovaries. All the hotness in the world just arrived.”

“Yeah, and dressed in black just like his soul,” Jase adds, shooting Mila a scowl.

When will my friend admit he is hopelessly in love with Mila?

“Everyone ready?” I ask as I adjust the Rolex on my wrist.

“We’re waiting for Jade. Fallon is trying to get her into a dress,” Hana explains.

“Fallon failed,” Jade suddenly says behind me. I glance over my shoulder, and my eyes land on the ample cleavage showing from the low-cut silk blouse she’s wearing.

I press my lips together, trying not to comment about what I think of her clothes, but fail miserably. “I don’t know why you make a fuss about wearing a dress when your top hardly covers everything.”

“Someone wants to die young,” she mutters as she walks by me.JADEAsshole.

When we step out of the building, Jase grabs Mila’s hand and drags her to his car. When she smacks him against the shoulder, I grin, but it quickly drops from my face when I notice Fallon and Hana following after Kao and Noah.

“Hana,” I call out and jog to catch up with her. “Will you go with Jase and Mila?” I really don’t want to be in the same car as Hunter.

“Sure.” She walks over to Hunter and links her arm with his.

I climb in the back, and when Noah gets in next to me, I grin at Fallon. She scrunches her nose at me as she takes the passenger seat, next to Kao.

Yep, love is in the air. It’s only a matter of time before they pair up.

Now that I’m spending more time with my friends, I’m actually getting excited as I watch them fight their feelings for each other.

The drive to the exclusive club is filled with small talk. The parking area is already full when we arrive, which is typical for a Friday night.

Due to the Reyes, Chargill, and Cutler names being practically godlike, we’re seating in the VIP section that overlooks the entire bottom floor.

Jase goes to stand by the chrome barrier and glances over all the girls' below, probably looking for his next target.

A waiter takes our drinks order, and I settle for a coke. I swing my leg lightly, trying to get into a party mood.

“Let’s go dance. We’ll loosen up faster that way,” Fallon says, already getting up and heading for the stairs. Mila, Hana, and I follow behind her, and she quickly makes space for us on the crowded floor.

I sway to the beat as I smile at my friends, but it’s not even a full minute, and a group of guys joins us. Justin, Nate, Chris, and Eric are basically the male equivalents of Summer Clarke and her friends.

“Hey, Fallon. You’re looking good,” Justin addresses her.

“Justin.” Her tone is tolerant at best, which means my friend doesn’t like the guy at all.

“Mind if we join you?” he asks, his eyes roving over us before they stop on Mila.