Page 46 of Reign of the Queen
"No one is getting fired, especially not your mom. She's a fantastic social worker. We need more caring people like her in the world. It's not her fault your dad did her dirty." I move forward and swipe my student card at the scanner, waiting for Raegan to do the same.
"Besides, we just have to move carefully and quietly to ensure the kings don't realize that I’m putting your dad out of their reach." I waggle my eyebrows at her, trying to get her to crack a smile.Maybe I will have a whole case of gummy bears sent to Raegan’s house this afternoon to cheer her up.
"Oh my god, what is that on your neck?” Raegan gasps.
I reach up to my neck using my chest and one hand to balance the food tray. Nothing comes away on my fingers when I rub my hand up and down my neck. "What? What's there?" I turn so Raegan can get a better look.
Raegan's mouth sets in an angry line. "He marked you! Carter, that jerk, left a giant hickey on the side of your neck, Mia."
I look from Raegan to where Carter sits, watching us with the other kings.FUCKER. He did that on purpose, marking me like some damn dog.
Grabbing a firm grip on my tray, I storm across the cafeteria until I stand in front of their table. I slam my tray down, causing my soup to slosh all over the tray and onto the table. Mateo jumps out of the projection of the food spray.
"You needed to behave like an animal, couldn't fucking help yourself, huh?" I spit with fury at him.
"Babe, it just happened." He raises his hands in surrender, trying to look cute and innocent but not denying the accusation. The fact that he immediately knows what I'm talking about confirms he did it on purpose.
Raegan passes behind me, muttering to herself, "Just happened, my ass."
I grab a handful of Carter's precious light brown floppy mane and yank as hard as I can until he's out of the seat he's occupying and trying to dislodge my grip.
"Aww, Aww. Babe!"
"You’re an ass Carter, don't ever mark me again." I take his seat, grimace at my wasted soup, and start eating, not bothering to confirm that Theo and the other kings are watching me in suspicion and amusement.
Carter wanders away, muttering something about balls under his breath as I focus on eating my food. I feel Theo's overbearing stare directly on me.
"Do you mind, shithead? I'm trying to eat here." I look up at his face.
He shrugs and looks away, but I feel his gaze on me again within seconds.
"Mia, what are your plans for this weekend?" Finn asks me from across the table.
"Why?" I raise my eyes suspiciously.
"Umm, we're going to Raleigh this weekend. I'm racing on the track there. Wondering if you'd like to come along." He raises his shoulder in question, a pink tinge making its way across his light ochre cheeks.
"You race?" I play dumb. I've done my homework; I know that Finn races his stepdad’s old 1970s Ford Mustang Boss 429 Fastback—racesandwins. In fact, he's so good that he wins almost all of the races he enters. I would actually love to see him race, but I have to act disinterested here just to keep them on their toes.
"He's pretty good too," Mateo adds with pride.
"What do you race for, cash or papers?" I question, taking a bite of my unappealing salad.I wonder if I can steal Raegan’s brownie when she’s not looking?
"Both." He looks amused that I know that information.
"What do you drive?" I look from him to Mateo, winking at Raegan when she gives me a raised eyebrow.
"A 1970s Mustang," Finn answers with pride.
"Of course you do; how predictable." I push away my tray and take a bite of my apple. The juice runs down my chin. I catch Theo staring at the trickles and wetting his lips like he would love a taste.I'll just bet you would, demon.
A hurt look crosses Finn's profile, and I almost feel guilty for putting it there. "Fine. Raegan and I will drive up and watch."
"Really?" he questions with excitement that he can't hide.
"We will?" Raegan asks with complete disdain and a raised eyebrow.
I nod in both of their directions and then turn my focus back to Theo and the rest of the cafeteria.
