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Both his statement about his father as well as what he said about Rick caught me off guard, but I pressed on. Lying my ass off with dedication in the hope he would believe me and stop looking into this mess. Given how mylovingsister treated me on a daily basis, I thought the story was rather believable. It was also self-deprecating, so I hoped it would be hard to believe I’d put those terrible thoughts in his head unless it was true.
It was only a tiny variation to the story Harper and I had come up with to tell people when I first signed up at Crestview. A little more detail to hopefully satisfy Damian’s prodding.
I wasn’t above making myself look terrible to keep myself safe.
Priorities and all.
“I didn’t say he flirtedback. He turned her down, you moron, but Harper sees my aunt and me as homewreckers. And now that you’ve spread the rumor we’re having sex around the school, and Harper believes I swooped in and stole her future husband, now she’sconvincedof it. Harper gave meonewarning. One. Stay away from you. You made that impossible. She had it out for me before, but because of you, it’s a thousand times worse. Thanks, dick.”
He shrugged. “What can I say? I inspire people’s dark sides.” He stared into my eyes. “Still, I think you’re full of shit.”
I shrugged. “Like with everything else, it’s none of my business what you do or don’t believe. It’s not my responsibility to make you feel comfortable. You took a job from Harper. That was all you. She didn’t hold a gun to your head. Do it or don’t, but don’t expect me to help you justify her. You have questions? Tell her what I said. Ask her. Leave me the fuck alone.”
That was both bold and stupid. If he asked her before I could get a message to her, or if she decided she didn’t want to play nice with me, I’d be screwed.
Damian sat back in his seat and watched me for most of the class. It was unnerving. Twenty minutes before the bell rang, the fire alarm went off.
“Well, I guess I know what was in the staff meeting I missed this morning!” the teacher said. “Alright, class. Everyone stand and exit one row at a time. Take your backpacks because you probably won’t be back in here before lunch. Nice and steady. Stay close to the person in front of you, and head toward the fire exit to the left.”
Damian and I were in the same row, so we headed out at the same time, but he had to walk in front of me. I quickly fired off a text to Harper.
__________________________________________
Me:
Damian questioned me. Wanted to know why you hated me so bad. I could tell he wouldn’t let it go. I made up bullshit details to add to the story we agreed to. He might ask you about it. Meet me in the bathroom after the drill before lunch.
__________________________________________
The weather outside was amazing, and I certainly wasn’t mad at being forced outside in the middle of the day. I loved it.
“Wanna sit in my lap?” Damian asked.
With him standing face to face with me now, I could see the bruise I’d left on his neck as well as the missing button. His tie billowed in the wind, exposing the missing piece of plastic. Heat flushed my cheeks as I thought back to that morning. I needed to get away from him.
Fast.
I snorted. “Not a chance.”
“Tempe!”
I turned and smiled when I saw Luna waving me over. Justin wasn’t too far behind her. I turned back to Damian and smiled sarcastically. “I think I’ll go sit in her lap instead.”
He smiled. “It won’t be nearly as fun.”
I raised my left brow. “She’s a girl who fucks girls. I think she’d know a little bit more about how to make it fun than you would.” I turned and waved, leaving him and his obviously wounded pride scowling behind me. “Byyye!”
“What was that all about?” Luna asked when I came over.
I quickly recapped the last part of our conversation, and she laughed. “Oh, you’re so good. Also, you’re correct. I definitely know how to make it more fun. You could piss him off even worse and sit in Justin’s lap.”
I laughed hard. “Oh, God. He’d rage.”
“I’ve got an idea,” Justin said, smiling.
I gasped as he scooped me up and carried me over to the grass and lowered us down together. He was incredibly strong, and being that close to him, I could tell how good he smelled. When he sat, he had me in his lap, and he patted the ground next to him. Luna sat, and he lifted my legs onto her lap. She made a show out of massaging my calves.
“There. Now you have both of us. That should really piss him off,” he said.