Red Thorns (Thorns Duet 1)

h.

He has a tall build, but it isn’t buff. His features have this foxy look and when he grins, they become even foxier.

“What?” I go straight to the defensive. We may sit together at lunch, but we’re not close by any means. In fact, he joins in on the snickering and snide remarks by Brianna and the others.

“Come on, Naomi. We’re friends.”

“What’s my favorite color?”

“Black.”

“It’s navy blue. How can you be my friend if you don’t even know my favorite color?”

“You act as if Captain knows, too.” He scoffs, laughing at his own joke.

That might be true, but it’s not like Sebastian and I have any sort of relationship or anything.

All I ever connect to is the beast inside him, really.

So no, I’m not actually hurt that Josh is right and Sebastian doesn’t even know my favorite color.

I place a hand to my hip. “Do you have a point?”

“Save me a piece when he’s done with you.”

“Josh…” Lucy trails off on a reprimand, her gaze flitting between the two of us.

“Come on, we all know it’s all a lie.” He sizes me up in a sleazy kind of way that makes my skin crawl.

My best friend’s face contorts and she looks like when she used to have her intense periods that left her feeling crippled.

Or when she saw Prescott making out with a sophomore the other day.

I place a hand on my hips. “What is that supposed to mean?”

“You’re so stupid, you don’t even realize it.” Josh shakes his head slowly. “Or maybe you’re blinded.”

“Off you go, Josh.”

Our attention turns to Reina, who waltzes to the middle of our small group with her imaginary queen bee crown on top of her head.

She’s wearing a stunning pink leather skirt and a peachy-colored top with lace sleeves. Her knee-high boots give her a sophisticated edge only she can pull off.

Josh throws his hands in the air with a surrendering gesture. “I’m just counting the hours.”

“Go,” she repeats, adding a subtle motion with her chin.

He shrugs and wets his lips. “I want to be next.”

And with that, he heads down the hall.

Lucy releases an audible breath while she stares at Reina as if searching for her holy approval.

Our captain’s attention is on me as she says, “Go first, Lucy. I need a word with Naomi.”

“No, thanks.” I flip my hair back. “We’re not exactly besties and last time I checked, we don’t have alone time.”

My friend, however, smiles. “Just cool down, Nao. I’ll be inside.”