Page 62 of The Darkest Note

As annoyed as I am about that slap and the Cinderella act she pulled by running away without leaving her name, I know that I’d follow her anywhere.

And that means I’m indeep.Way deeper than I’d like to be. I can’t lose control and the moment I see her, I’ll be putty in the palm of her hands.

Frustrated with my brothers and myself, I sling my guitar over my shoulder in a practiced move and set it back on its stand.

“You bozos practice without me. I’m out.”

Zane pouts. “Don’t be like that, big brother.”

I roll my eyes. I was only ahead of him by a couple minutes, but he’ll never cease to milk the distinction.

Finn smirks at me as if he knows they got under my skin.

I grab my backpack and sling it over one shoulder. “What class do we have now?”

“Probably music.” He gestures to the drums. “Which is why we’re here.”

I perk up a bit. Cadence is in our music class. Rather than spend time sulking over the redhead, I can try to make more progress in kicking her out of Redwood.

She destroyed my wallet last week. I can’t have her thinking she’s escaped my wrath.

My brothers are silent and staring at me.

“Why’d his face light up?” Zane asks Finn.

My brother just shrugs.

Without making them any wiser, I leave the practice room and head to music class. Brahms is getting a little too comfortable with me. Since I’m in the mood, I think it’s about time I raised some hell.

* * *

Jinx: I couldn’t give your brothers a good bang for their bucks, so here’s a freebie. Your favorite pair of primped lips has been plotting and scheming for a while now. She plans to strike your girl where it hurts today.

Jinx: What will it be, Dutch? Want to play the hero or the villain?

CHAPTERFIFTEEN

CADENCE

Music is my escape.

Until fourth period when it becomes something close to nails on a chalk board thanks to Ms. Eunice, our sub who’s sticking around for a lot longer than anyone thought was possible.

Sneaking a peek through the window, I take note of the clouds gathering in the sky. The stormy weather outside perfectly matches my mood. I just want this class to beoveralready.

A glance at my watch gives me some relief. Only one minute until the bell—or the ‘end of class chimes’ according to my Redwood Prep handbook.

“Um, Cadence and Christa, I’ll need you both to come up here after class,” Ms. Eunice croaks.

Everyone shifts in their seat to stare at me. Then they glance around to stare at Christa. The loud-mouthed cheerleader who probably has ‘future wife of Dutch Cross’ tattooed on her boobs, casts me a smug look.

I have no idea what the smirk is about, but I’m immediately uneasy. The last thing I want to do is walk up there and find out what has Christa so happy.

The chimes go off, indicating the end of the period. With a deep breath, I slip out of my chair and approach the older woman at the front.

I can feel the eyes burning into my back as I make the trek. After my humiliating dash during the practical assignment, my peers have been clamoring to see a part II.

It’s no secret that everything I do at Redwood Prep sticks longer in everyone’s memories thanks to Dutch’s unusual interest in me. My background as a scholarship kid makes this alleged ‘love story’ even juicer to these rich kids.