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My heart was in my mouth as Cal and Luke made eye contact.

Ethan whispered something to Luke, and I couldn’t help but notice the hurt in his eyes.

I pulled Cal towards an empty table away from them, but his resistance alarmed me.

“Cal,” I whispered desperately. “Please...” I tugged at his arm, trying to stop the staring competition he seemed to be in with Luke.

Luke stood up as Ethan tried to pull him back down unsuccessfully.

Rosie stood, making her way over to us, glaring at Cal with clear dislike.

“Gretchen, why don’t you guys leave? It’s raw for Luke right now...”

My stomach clenched at my stupidity.

How could I even think this wouldn’t end in a cockfight?

I stand to leave, whilst Cal remained seated, tugging me back down beside him.

“Why? She’s apologized. She can’t help how she feels,” his voice was low and strong, but Rosie scowled at him, prepared to do battle.

“Because it’scourtesy, Cal. Less than twenty-four hours ago Gretchen was his girlfriend, or did that slip your memory?”

He fixed his eyes on her, a stony expression on his face. “I thought you were Gretchen’s best friend; I didn’t realize you were the president of Luke’s fan club.”

Her eyes widened; her mouth open in shock as I groaned.

“Cal,” I muttered, shooting him an exasperated look “Rosie, I’m sorry, we should go...”

Rosie folded her arms and shook her head, walking back to the table wordlessly.

Why is she being so loyal to Luke suddenly?

I didn’t voice this in front of Cal, as he would probably waste no time in telling her exactly what a shit friend she was, without caring for our history.

Luke glared at us, Ethan and now Finn sat on either side of him as they watched us with grim expressions on their faces.

“Cal, please...” I pleaded with him, not knowing what he was capable of.

I didn’t want Luke to antagonise him in any way, no matter how wronged he felt.

Cal finally turns and looks at me, his eyes narrowing. “He’ll see it, eventually. He may as well get used to it,” he lifted my hand to his lips and kissed it, my stomach filled with butterflies as his gaze swept over me. “But if you want to go, we’ll go.”

I nodded, relieved.

He swung his legs out from his seat, my hand still in his as he gestured for me to lead the way towards the exit.

“Cal.” Luke’s voice boomed through the cafeteria.

My body froze in response, my hand gripping Cal’s as he turned slowly to face him.

“Luke?”

The entire school held its breath; I, for one, was mostdefinitelyholding mine.

Luke rose to his feet before folding his arms and nodding at me. “You’re welcome to her. She’s frigid as fuck.”

His words cut through me like a knife.