Page 81 of Fragments

“I’m just saying, I can tell you’re here because you’re loyal and selfless, and that must have gotten you into trouble.” He keeps going with this bullshit, like a finger poking me over and over in the chest. “You’re the hero, not Lex Luthor. You should be calledKal-El.”

My jaw ticks, hands squeezing into fists. That’s it.

“Oh yea?” I snap, whipping in his direction. He’s so damncloseto me, our faces are inches apart. “How the fuck would you know?? You’re obviously insane, off your meds or something. Don’t assume you know me,Warren, because you don’t know shit. Just back the fuck off before I waste you.”

Ren pulls his lip between his teeth, not intimidated by my threats in the slightest, which only pisses me off more. Because I’mnota fighter, and he probably thinks he knows that too. Even at my most wrathful moments, I’ve never been driven toward violence. But this dude shows up, and within minutes of knowing each other, I want to bash his pretty fucking face in.

Conceding, he holds his hands up, though his stupid mouth is still quirked at its corner. “Okay, Lex…” I’m seething as he corrects himself. “Luthor. I’m very sorry. You’re right, I don’t know anything about you.”

I feel like he’s totally patronizing me, but I’m losing all my energy to argue.

“Whatever,” I grunt. “Let’s just not talk anymore. You’re way too new to be stressing me out so much.”

I can feel him staring at the side of my face, but I refuse to look at him and keep this going. I won’t play into his hand anymore.

The rest of the meal goes on in silence, for the most part. Once Ren is no longer torturing me with craziness and I’m no longer letting him, Toby and Parker break the tension with their own chitchat, much less dramatic than what this new dude brought to the table. Ren is just sitting there, poking at his food, and I don’t knowwhyI’m watching him, but I can’t seem to stop. Honestly, I hate myself a little for being such a simpleton.

Thank GodJoy shouts that it’s our two-minute warning, effectively ending what will go down in history as the most fucked up dinner I’ve ever had. We get up to throw our trash away, and unfortunately, my reprieve is cut short when someone jabs a finger into my side.

I don’t even need to turn. I already know who it is.

Jesus, he’s not gonna leave me alone, is he?

“Luthor.” He speaks my nickname slowly, like he’s spitting out something yucky. He obviously doesn’t want to call me that, and for whatever reason, I’m finding it highly amusing. I have to bite away the potential smile because I don’t want to give him the satisfaction. “I hope you know I’m sorry for upsetting you. I really didn’t mean to. I shouldn’t have stuck my nose into your business.”

He seems sincere, and I guess that’s all I could ask for. I still don’t know how much of him I’ll be able to handle, but I’m also not one to hold grudges. It’s too much effort.

“No harm done,” I sigh, walking back to the table with him prancing beside me. “It’s your first day. I don’t blame you for wanting to feel us out.”

“And when I say you’redifferent, I definitely don’t mean it in a bad way,” he goes on. “It sucks when people are all the same, right?”

I nod.Yea, I guess… Fair point.

We stop next to the table, and he sways in front of me, coming across much less cocky and overconfident than before. I don’t want to keep judging him by his appearance, but it’s odd to see someone who looks like that fumbling.

Ren reaches out and plucks the material of my shirt between his fingers. “Do you forgive me?”

I’m a little jittery with him touching my clothes like this… Because it feels like he’s trying to pull me closer to him, and I can’t seem to make my feet move me away.

“Yea, totally.” My palms are sweating. “Water under the bridge.”

His lips curve, and he straightens, breathing out slowly. “Good. That’s good… I was worried for a second there.” He chuckles, a nervous breath leaving my lips in response. “Can’t have you hating me now, can we?” His dark eyebrow cocks, and I nod robotically.

“Mhm…”

He finally releases his grip on my shirt, allowing me to pull away. But he’s still watching me, and he doesn’t stop. I can feel it happening while the guards stomp around the room, cuffing everyone and corralling us back in the direction of our cells.

It’s unsettling that out of all the dangerous psychos here, this GQ model is the one to put me on edge.

“Well…” Toby sighs next to me. “Looks like someone’s got a new boyfriend.”

My face springs, and I scowl at him while he chuckles. “Uh, more likestalker.” I keep my voice down, glancing over my shoulder to make sure Ren’s far enough away. “Is it just me, or is he nuts??”

“Aw, come on.” Toby grins. “He’s harmless. Smitten… Maybe a little instantly infatuated.” He laughs again at my misfortune. “But harmless.”

“Let’s hope so,” I grumble.

“I think it’s cute.Andhe’s a sex worker who came from nothing?? You could be his Richard Gere!”