Page 9

Spinning around, I tilted my head and smiled sarcastically. “Yes, Asher. Whatwasthat? Hmm?”
He seemed briefly taken aback, but he leaned forward, his long black hair falling over his shoulder. As it did, his scent wafted in my direction, and I tried hard not to acknowledge just how good he smelled.
He and Damian had similar taste in clothing. They’d both worn the black pants with the black long-sleeved button-up and completed it with a black suit vest and black tie.
I had a thing for solid black suits, and apparently, Ireallyhad a thing for Asher in one.
Deciding that was a very bad thing, I pushed that away and focused on the hate flowing through me.
“Answer me,” he said, his voice softer. “What the hell was that? Do you have any idea what you’ve done?”
“Me?” I asked incredulously. My jaw fell slack, and my brows knit together as I stared at him. “I didnothingwrong. I was just trying to go to my locker. That’sallI wanted to do. Then I see you and that giant walking dildo and the rest of the orcs in your crew bullying some innocent guy for somethingsooutrageously stupid that I can’t even process it.” I shook my head. “Had I known what kind of man you were, I never would have spoken to you. Hell, I would have just gotten in my car and ran your sorry ass over.”
Asher did his best to conceal a smile when I called Damian a giant walking dildo, but he regained control after the rest of my statement.
“First of all,” he started, “a dildo? Really?”
I shrugged. “You’re right. Those are usually kinda ugly and don’t do the real thing justice. That was a little harsh. Actually… he’s rather pretty. So, I guess he can be one of those fancy blown glass dildos—but yes,stilla dildo.”
There was a loud snort from someone walking over.
“Move.”
That was the second time I’d heard that order, only this time, it came from the short guy from their group. The one who’d knelt on the floor to grab Chad by the face.
As before, the girl who sat at the desk next to Asher jumped up and scurried off so the friend could sit. He smiled at me, and I narrowed my eyes at him.
“Hello,Temperance,” he said, putting emphasis on the fact that he knew my name. He smiled.
“Hello,Frodo,” I said, matching his tone.
Asher turned completely away from us both, but I saw his shoulders shake. I couldn’t tell, but it looked like he might be laughing.
“It’s Trent. Man, you really are a spicy little thing, aren’t you?” the friend said. He seemed amused, so I wondered if he had a sense of humor or if he was just sadistic.
“You have no idea,” I said. “Now, if the two of you don’t mind… kindly fuck off.”
Asher spun around and cleared his throat. There was still amusement in his eyes, so it appeared I was right. He’d been stifling a laugh.
“We’re not done talking,” he said.
“Welcome back from summer vacation!” a loud voice echoed through the room.
I smiled. “Actually, it appears we are.” I turned and faced forward.
A man in his mid-forties stood at the front of the class, all smiles. He was deliriously happy for someone who taught a school full of monsters.
“I’m Mr. Anderson, for those of you who may not know me. I hope everyone had a good summer!” Everyone mumbled lazy replies to his statement. “Good! I’m glad to hear it—even if it was weak. Let’s take a moment to adjust and get back into the swing of things. Who did something fun? This is Crestview. You guysalwaysdo fun stuff. Who has a good story?”
A girl in the front row immediately raised her hand, but I didn’t get a chance to hear what awesome, rich-girl thing she got to experience.
“Hey,” Asher whispered from behind me.
I ignored him.
“Hey,” he repeated.
Again… I ignored him.