Page 152 of Forever Defiant
Which meant... Coach Sutherland got smarter? Or Dean Cole knew. I instantly knew it wasn’t the latter. I thought he was harsh last semester, but for the little Savvy said about her dad, he genuinely was a decent guy. He knew I was snooping. He knew I was getting closer to finding out what happened, and he probably knew I’d dragged Savannah into it with me.
He’d asked me if she told me everything. I was beginning to suspect she hadn’t. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that. I trusted her. Had I made a mistake? Or had she held back the fact that her dad knew more than she told me she thought he did?
That was more likely.
I had a lot to consider.
I also had to get these freaking women to stop side-eyeing me. I left the coffee shop with my coffee and an attitude I hadn’t gone in with. I went to find my nook in the library, where no one could give me any looks that questioned what I had done to Slater to make him have a relationship, or worse, what he could possibly see in me. I’d seen the comments on social media. The ones about my face, my body, my weight, what I must have done to ‘land him’ — what I must be like in bed. The usual thoughtlessness.
Assholes.
People were very brave when they had a keyboard to hide their identity. I’d love for half of them to be brave enough to come and tell me to my face.
My nook was empty. I set up and got to work, drafting up a piece that, the more I wrote, sounded more like a ‘whodunnit’ than an investigative piece of journalism.
After an hour of hardly any productivity, I packed up and headed out. I had to meet Slater’s parents tomorrow. I’d better find something decent in my closet.
On the way out, a stunning redhead made a remark about the fact that my purse wasn’t designer, and I was obviously only after Dustin for his money.
I turned around and smiled at her. “Not interested in his wallet. Just his cock.” I looked her over. “I’m sure you know what I mean, you look like the type he used to be attracted to.”
I left her and the library, complete silence following me out.
Ugh. Now I had to confess I made a scene. Did I?
As luck would have it, Noah and Dustin were walking across the quad. I was so done with all the whispers, the looks, and the snide comments. I walked right up to Dustin, hooked my hand in his hoodie, and dragged him down for a kiss.
He didn’t hesitate. His arms wrapped around me, and I was lifted off my feet as my ‘boyfriend’ kissed me like he hadn’t seen me for three years. When we broke apart, he grinned.
“What did you do, and is it bad?”
I laughed. “I called one of your former fun times a ho.”
Noah snorted. “I love you, Hadley. You have absolutely zero shits to give, I respect that.”
I bumped fists with Noah. Dustin slung his arm over my shoulders. “Which one?”
I didn’t comment on the fact that he seemed to play the boyfriend role very well. Or that it felt completely natural to walk along the quad with his arm draped over my shoulders.
“How the fuck would I know?” I asked him. “Tall, big boobs, red hair, attitude problem.”
He frowned. “Nah. I got nothing.”
“Neither did she.”
Noah made a ‘meow’ sound, and I giggled. “Where’s the third part of your slick wheel?”
Noah stopped grinning, and Dustin sighed.
“Oh my God, you two? Really?” I reached over and grabbed Noah’s arm. “You and him need to talk.”
“I don’t have anything to say to him,” Noah muttered.
“Big baby,” I scolded. “I can help if you like? I have plenty to say to both of you. Come on, both of you, home.”
“Do I get a vote?” Dustin asked.
“No.” The three of us headed to their dorm. Dustin glanced at me once, but I pretended I didn’t see him. He squeezed my ass in reprimand.
