Page 36 of Inseparable
Ayden growls, taking a step forward. I put myself in front of him. “Don’t. He’s not worth it.” I twist around. “Get lost, asshole.”
“Suck my dick.” He flips me the finger before sauntering off in the direct of the front entrance.
“Thanks, man.” Ayden nods at Josh.
“Anytime. He’s just pissed because…” Josh trails off with one sharp look from Ayden.
“Because Dev gave him that black eye for spouting shit about me,” I finish for him. “Can we go?” I implore Ayden with my eyes. “I’m freezing my ass off out here.”
“Here, take this.” He yanks the hat off his head, putting it on me. Hair covers my face, blocking my view, before Ayden brushes it aside, tucking it neatly under the edge of the hat. Josh and the guys look on in amusement, and my cheeks heat up.
“Come on.” I pull on his arm, and he smirks, tucking me in to his side as we walk.
“I cannot wait to graduate and not have to see half these people ever again,” I admit, stepping into the building. I whip the hat off, running my fingers through my hair, trying to tame my tangled locks. “I am sick of all this bullshit, and these people annoy the fuck out of me.” It’s as if every single person was waiting for me to arrive and has decided to watch my every move. More than three weeks have passed since the party, and I thought the interest levels had waned, but I guess that was wishful thinking. At least Christmas break is just around the corner, and I will have a welcome reprieve from being the center of attention.
As we round the next corridor, Ayden yanks hard on my shoulders, swinging me back around. I look up at him, scowling. “What the hell? I think you just dislocated my shoulder.”
Ayden takes my hand and starts pulling me back the way we came. I struggle with him, attempting to remove my hand and halt our retreat. “Ayd, stop. My locker’s the other way.”
“Let’s ditch today. We can go ice skating.”
“You have a broken arm.” I pin him with a “duh” look. “And you never ditch.” I don’t bother mentioning how clumsy he is on the ice because that doesn’t need to be articulated. I yank my hand from his, coming to a complete stop. “Wait up.”
“Or we can grab a movie or drive out to Des Moines and go shopping.”
“You hate shopping.” My eyes narrow to slits, and everything goes on high alert inside me. “What’s back there? What don’t you want me to see?”
He makes a grab for my arm, but I sidestep him, slowly backing up, conscious that we have an audience, and that people are whispering in hushed voices. “Leave it, Lina,” he pleads. “Let’s just go.”
I consider it for a split second, before spinning around and racing down the corridor. I won’t shy away from this. Ayden curses, and I hear the pounding of his footsteps following me. The crowd parts, almost collectively wiping their hands in glee. All they’re missing are buckets of popcorn and sodas. I don’t know what I’m about to discover, but I know it involves Devin and that it’s nothing good.
When I round the corner, I blink in rapid fire succession, sure my eyes are playing tricks on me. But it’s no trickery. Becky is flattened against Devin’s locker, and his arms cage her in as he leans in to kiss her. She grabs his waist, pulling his body flush to hers as their lips lock. I slow my pace and come to a complete standstill. It’s as if the whole school has come out to witness this. Groups of students line the corridors watching my reaction with baited breath.
Becky is making a meal out of this, moaning at the top of her voice and grinding her hips against Devin’s. She tilts her head, granting him access to her neck, and her triumphant eyes meet mine. Bit by bit, my heart starts shutting down, one wounded piece at a time, and a hard, thick, impenetrable, layer seals it tight, locking every emotion inside with it.
Ayden laces his fingers in mine, and I look up at him, noting the compassion, anger and pain radiating from his eyes. I wet my dry lips. “You still up for ditching?”
“Hell yeah.” His smile is tinged in sadness.
“Let’s go.” I take one last look in Devin and Becky’s direction. Devin’s pained eyes meet mine, completely at odds with his body language. His arm is wrapped around Becky’s shoulder now, and she’s snuggling into his chest, gloating and preening for her adoring crowd.
Well, she’s welcome to him.
I’m done.
Keeping a firm hold on Ayden’s arm, I turn us around and walk out of school without uttering a word.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Ayden and I spend the day shopping, watching movies, and eating a ton of junk food. He keeps an endless stream of chatter up, and I participate in the conversation but it’s half-hearted. Nightfall has descended by the time I park the Jeep in Ayden’s drive.
I give him a massive hug, and he envelops me in his arms. “Thanks for today. You’re the best.”
“Anything for my favorite girl.” He smooths hair off my forehead. “You want me to stay?”
Yes. No. I don’t know.“Better not. Mom’s still on the warpath.”
“Will you be all right?”
