Page 178 of Wicked Savage Cruel
He and I are damn near brothers at this point. No way can I cross that line.
After graduation, the plan was for Roman, Emilio, and I to get a place off campus together. But both fuckers had to go and couple up senior year of high school, so that plan went down the drain real quick and left me with two options. Move into the dorms—not fucking likely—or get my own place off campus. But then money would be tight and I didn’t want to ask my parents to cover it. Doing that would lead to trouble. Nothing given was ever given freely, and I didn’t want the strings I knew would be attached.
My grandmother set up a trust fund for my sister and I that we got access to the day we turned eighteen. It’s not much, but it covers my monthly expenses and would cover rent on a house off campus if I could find a roommate.
The idea of living with a stranger isn’t something I could get on board with, so I buried my shit with Aaron and got a place with him since the fucker was the only other one in our crew riding solo like myself.
Since he and the girls are all close, it made sense. We weren’t going to be getting rid of him anytime soon. Looking back, it was the right call, even if I didn’t love the idea at the time.
Aaron’s good people. He fucked up when we were all kids but since then, when any of us need him, he shows up. He’s there when it counts, and he’s put his ass on the line for me more times than I can count. I won’t repay that by banging his sister behind his back, even if there was that one time we kissed, and it still fucking haunts me.
“You good, man?” Roman asks.
I grunt, refusing to take my eyes off the girl in front of me. “Fucking peachy.”
Roman snorts and places his hand on my shoulder.
“Right. Well, while you pine over baby Henderson, I’m gonna go get my girl before Emilio tries to steal her.”
“I’m not pining,” I retort. I don't pine after chicks, least of all a freshman with too much sass and too little sense. What the fuck does she think she's doing right now? And where the hell is her brother. Shouldn't he be watching her or something? At the very least, he should be fending off the assholes who just want to take advantage of her. No way would I let guys be all over my sister like that.
He laughs, shaking his head. “Call it whatever you want but your jealousy is showing, man. Might want to get that in check.”
I grind my teeth together, flipping off his retreating back. Rome doesn't know what he's talking about. Baby Henderson isn’t anything special. A piece of ass and soon to be jailbait. Not someone I'd be jealous over.
Speaking of Hendersons, Aaron walks up beside me and hands me a Coke. I accept the drink, knowing the fucker is just being nice, and against my better judgement I ask, “You cool with older guys all over your baby sister?” I feign indifference and take a drink of the soda waiting to see how he reacts. It has nothing to do with wondering if the age difference between her and I would matter to him and everything to do with making sure he knows what's going on with Kasey right now.
As expected, Aaron follows my gaze. His eyes narrow and he mutters a curse. “Shit. I’ll have to drag her away from a fucking harem and I’ll have to deal with her bitching about it the entire way home today.”
I force a laugh. “She’s a handful.”
He shakes his head. “That’s putting it mildly. I don’t know what her deal is, man. Lately, it’s like she’s looking for trouble.” He sighs. “I better go deal with that.”
I thrust a hand out to stop him. “Let me.” I don't know why I made the suggestion but I don't try to walk it back once it's out there.
His dark blond brows pull together. "You sure, man?"
I nod. "Yeah. Let her be pissed at me. Then on the way home when she's bitching you can pretend to agree with what an asshole I am."
He smiles and slaps me on the back. "Thanks, man. I owe you one.” I nod like it’s no big deal. Just helping the guy out. I don’t have a single selfish reason for making the suggestion.
Allie calls his name and Aaron turns. “Go,” I tell him. “I’ll get it handled.”
He hesitates for a moment. “You sure, man? Kasey can be—“
I cut him off. “Bro, I’ve got it. Go see what Allie wants.” He walks away, heading toward Roman and Allie on the other side of the yard, and without missing a beat, I head straight toward my quarry. She's got herself surrounded by some of Allie's friends from back home. I met the guys earlier, Gabe, Felix, and Julio. They seem nice enough, but that doesn't mean any of them should be talking to her right now.
When I'm within hearing distance I slow my steps, casually walking closer to the group. Gabe, who's on her right, is laying it on thick. He's smiling at her like she's all that he sees. Not happening, asshole.
As soon as I'm behind her, I pull her back into my chest and wrap my arms around her, pinning her in place with her back to my front. I ignore the way she feels pressed up against me and focus on the miscreants in front of me.
Kasey doesn't bother trying to twist to see who's grabbed her. My dark arms banded around her is telling enough. I'm the only black guy here. She doesn't have to see my face to know it's me, and being the smart girl she is, she doesn’t bother putting up a fight to get away.
"You know Baby Henderson is jailbait, right?" I direct the question first to Gabe before making eye contact with the other two. Kasey stiffens in my arms and a beautiful shade of pink creeps up her neck.
"For you, maybe," Gabe retorts with a shrug.
The corner of Julio's mouth lifts into a smirk like he's in on some secret, but he doesn't say anything. He takes a drink of his soda and rocks back on his heels, watching things play out. Felix, on the other hand, gives a hard shake of his head. "Ain't no one trying to tap that," he says. "We're all friends. Just having a conversation. No one's crossing any lines."
