Page 11 of Ruthless Blade

She turned off the car, and the air was in the sixties now, a cool breeze attached, enough to make goosebumps rise on my body.

As we found a table, the waiter came by. He was young, about our age, I assumed he went to the same school as us. A bright smile lit up his features as he asked for our drink order.

“Can you load us up on two Cokes and a large Queso?”

I gave her a look as she spoke for me, but quickly let it go when the door opened. My breath caught. Fuck.

Blood drained from my face, and once she noticed, concern etched into her eyes. “What’s wrong?”

“He has to be following me.” I whispered, hoping and praying he wouldn’t notice us. We were in a booth off to the side, and he and his friends, plus a few girls—likely puck bunnies—were standing by the door, waiting on a table.

I slid in my seat, and moved over a bit, hoping he wouldn’t notice me.

“Damn, that man gets finer every day.” I rolled my eyes at her comment. Being fine didn’t excuse him for being an ass. Although it didn’t stop me from admiring him from afar.

The waiter came back with our drinks and appetizer, and suddenly the hunger outweighed the annoyance of him being here. Especially when the hostess took them to the other side of the restaurant.

Thank fuck.

I sighed and relaxed watching as they walked off, taking a drink of my soda because nothing cured this day like an ice-cold Coke.

Hazel watched me, a smirk playing on her lips. “You’ve got it bad.”

I brought my attention back to her and narrowed my eyes, “What the hell are you talking about?”

She leaned back in the booth, crossing her arms over her chest. “I can’t believe I didn’t realize it before. You’ve got a crush on him!”

I shook my head, “You’re delusional. I can be cordial with him, but that’s as far as it goes. He’s a real asshole to me, Hazel. Trust me when I say, the feelings are mutual, with hatred running through our veins. My brother was the only one who linked us together, and now that he’s gone...”

I trailed off, and she became silent, changing the subject. She started talking about a boy in her class whom she thought was hot. My attention went in and out, half listening to her and half thinking about what I was going to do to get our parents to break off their upcoming marriage. Why did I agree to team up with that ass? I couldn’t be tied to Kayden anymore.

I needed to break away from him and create a life for myself on my own. Without his and my brother’s shadows hovering over me. I couldn’t breathe like this, and I would never be able to if I didn’t break free.

“Well, fancy seeing you here.” A shiver ran through me as a throat cleared, and my eyes closed because I knew that voice.

“What do you want, Kayden?” Hazel asked, voice clipped.

“I was going to the bathroom and was surprised when I saw two of my favorite people hanging around.” Ugh, yeah right—favorite people.

“Go away.” I said through gritted teeth. My weekend was already ruined; I didn’t need him to ruin it even more.

To my surprise, he slid into the seat next to me, pushing my body into the wall. I glared, wishing it would affect him. The knowing smirk didn’t disappear from his lips. He grabbed a chip, dipped it into the Queso, and shoved it in his mouth.

Now he was eating our food? This man really has lost his mind!

He began to chew, my fingers resisted the urge to slap him. “Hazel, do you want to know something funny?”

My hands clenched in my lap.

Her gaze met mine and then switched back to his. “What?”

The restaurant was getting busier, which meant it was getting louder. Kayden had to speak up, and I really wish he fucking hadn’t.

“Lex is going to be my stepsister.”

A pin dropped. The tables around us stared, because why wouldn’t they when the campus golden boy announced noteworthy news.

I slid further in my seat. Fucking Kayden. He couldn’t resist, had to let all of our peers into business they were no part of. Why couldn’t I escape this life?