Page 100 of Twilight of Embers
“I’m sorry you’re stuck with me.”
Easton glanced over at me, frowning. “Someone needs to stay close.”
“But it shouldn’t have to be you.”
That frown deepened, confusion marring his beautiful face.
“You don’t even like me,” I mumbled. “It shouldn’t be your responsibility.”
“I never said anything about not liking you.”
My footsteps slowed, and I stared up at him. “I’m sorry, but calling me a piece of ass the first time we met pretty much implies as much.”
Easton winced. “It’s not about you,” he muttered.
My shoulders slumped. That much might be true. But it almost hurt more. That who I was wasn’t enough for Easton to get past whatever bullshit he had swirling in his head. Maybe none of this was about me. Maybe Knox, Cáel, and Cillian didn’t like me for me either. Maybe I was just a mate to them. The thought made me sick to my stomach.
Movement caught my attention ahead as three girls leaned close to each other, whispering and stealing glances in our direction. Oh, hell. I tugged on my sweater, making sure it covered the mark along my collarbone, but I knew it did.
As we got closer, a few words caught on the air.
“Delaney said she’s basically their whore. They’re getting a kick out of the fact that she’ll let them do whatever they want to her,” one girl said.
Her friend leaned in closer. “It’s sad, honestly. Can you imagine having that low self-esteem?”
The third girl just scoffed. “They’ve ruined her reputation for the rest of college. She’ll have to transfer after they dump her.”
Heat burned in my cheeks, and that pressure was back behind my eyes.
“Don’t listen to them,” Easton grumbled.
“It doesn’t matter.”
Nothing really did. Not anymore. Part of me wished I could turn back time and never come to Ember Hollow. But the moment the thought swept through my mind, I knew I didn’t mean it. Even with everything I’d been through, I couldn’t wish away Knox, Cáel, and Cillian.
I hurried into the lecture hall, finding an empty seat toward the back. Easton surprised me by taking the one next to me.
A guy in front of us turned around, grinning. “Dude, when you’re done with her, I wouldn’t mind taking her for a ride.”
Easton was out of his seat in a flash, throwing the guy to the floor and pressing his forearm to his throat. “If you even look at her again, I’ll break every bone in your body. You’ll be pissing out a tube and eating through one, too.”
“Shit, man. I’m sorry. I-I didn’t know,” he wheezed.
“Well, now you do.” Easton gave one more hard press against the guy’s throat and then stood, dusting himself off.
Students whispered loudly and pulled out cell phones. I knew it would be a matter of minutes before the gossip had made the rounds.
“Everyone in your seats,” Professor Brent said, walking into the room. He scanned the space, his gaze settling on me. He scowled as Easton took the seat next to me.
“We’ll begin where we left off,” Brent continued.
I did my best to focus on his voice and the slides behind him. I took the best notes I’d ever taken in my life. But I could feel Easton glance at me every so often. His gaze had a unique feel to it. Heat but with a bite, like minuscule spikes dancing across my skin. Prickly, just like the man himself.
Before long, the bell rang, and I gathered my belongings. Easton waited for me. Like a silent sentry, he followed me down the lecture hall’s stairs.
Brent looked up from his papers. “Hayden,” he clipped.
The urge to groan was so strong. I didn’t have it in me to deal with my advisor today, too. But I stopped anyway. “Hello, Professor.”
