Page 78 of Becoming His

“Are you coming on to me?” I gasped, my eyes widening at him in alarm.

He frowned then, and a silky laugh escaped his throat as he looked at me in amusement.

“No,” he said carefully, eyeing me like I was insane. “I thought we would be able to be friends at least. Obviously, not while you’re with him, but who knows?”

“I can be friends with whoever I choose.“ I snapped as he raised his eyebrows in surprise. I folded my arms and turned to face the river.

“Yeah? So take my number.”

My stomach dropped as I pulled my phone out in defiance, holding it out to him. He called his number from it, then handed it back to me casually.

“Maybe we can kick back sometime. Go for a walk. Or a picnic.”

I burst out laughing then, and he shrugged.

“All reasonably friendly options.”

“I have to go. I’m going—”

“To Fentons. I get it. Message me sometime. See you around, Princess.”

He gave me a small smile as he jammed his hands in his pockets, walking in the opposite direction. I watched him leave, entranced by the way he walked. He was almost elegant, strangely graceful as he strode, his long legs widening the distance between us.

See you around, Sam.

Thirty-Nine

Queen

Bailey stared at me, his eyes blazing. I swallowed, beginning to wish I had just let him pick me up after all.

“Say that again.”

I winced when he spoke, my initial confidence rapidly leaving me as he fixed me with that stare of his.

“I gave Sam my number. As afriend.”

“A friend?” He spat the word out as I ran a hand through my hair. I thought it was best to be honest and upfront; there was nothing wrong with me being friends with the guy, right?

“Does he look at you like you are friends?” He snapped darkly, eyes on me as I sat on the bed, watching him pace the room. I started to feel incredibly naive as I recalled how Sam had touched my face and said we could be friendsat least.

“Yes.” I gulped.

“Absolutely fucking not. This isnotfucking acceptable, Annabelle. He looks at you like you are a piece of meat he wants to fucking devour.”

I had seen Bailey angry before, but this seemed more than that. He was...panicked, alarmed.

“Bailey, I would never do anything to jeopardize our relationship.” I tried to reassure him, but he laughed suddenly, making me flinch.

“You just did!” He yelled as I began to get angry too.

“Why? Because I’m friends with a guy, you don’t like? Because you broke his sister's heart? Why is that my problem, Bailey? I have to see people you havefuckedevery day at school! This is just a friend! If it means so much to you, I won’t see him. But I need to know why.” I realized I had tears in my eyes as he stared at me, shaking his head as though he had misheard me.

“For fucks sake. You can be friends with anyone you want, Annabelle. I’m not that guy.” He ran his hands through his hair as he sighed angrily, his blue eyes fixed on mine.

“Except for Sam.”

“Does it mean so much to you? If so, why?” He demanded, his voice suddenly cold. “Do you like him, is that it?”