Page 77 of Soul So Dark

She rolls her eyes like I’m being intentionally daft. “Am I just supposed to pick up and follow you wherever you go?”

I long blink.

Shit.

“Jordy,” I speak slowly and clearly, “I think you’ve misunderstood our relationship in a very fundamental way.”

“And what way is that?” she snaps with indignance.

“This was never meant to last past graduation.”

Assumptions were made in Leland Wiltshire’s pole building and silent terms agreed upon. Jordy and I party together, we have a good time, and my house is the perfect escape for her when she needs it. It doesn’t go any deeper than that. But clearly, the terms have changed. Regardless, Jordyn Harrington’s not going anywhere with me. When I leave Dire Ridge, I’m going alone.

“This isn’t over, Alex,” she hisses. “You can’t just throw me out like trash once you’ve gotten what you want.”

Apparently not, because she storms out of the bedroom and forgets her goddamn phone. I don’t even know why I bother picking it up, I know she’ll be back for it in less than five seconds because it might as well be surgically attached to her hand. But I’m sick of dealing with her and don’t want her coming back later.

But then I pause, noticing my name on the screen. Her texts are still open to her perpetual conversation with Lori. Shock of shocks…

But the more I skim the texts, the clearer—and more disturbing—everything becomes.

JORDY (9:14PM): Alex says he’s going. He’s a stubborn fucking asshole and he’s not going to change his mind.

LORI (9:15PM): Didn’t you say he has a trust fund?

JORDY (9:15PM): Yeah I think so

LORI (9:16PM): Well if he won’t marry you then make sure he knocks you up before he leaves.

JORDY (9:17PM): He won’t care

LORI (9:17PM): He’ll care when he’s on the hook with a child for 18 years

I read the last text over…and over…and over.

And when I finally look up, Jordy’s standing in the doorway, staring at me like a deer in headlights.

???

If I could bottle Dallas Lutz’s facial expressions, I would. I’d keep a case hidden from everyone else, so I could guzzle them whenever I want. I don’t actually want to scare her, but the look on her face and the sound of her voice when I fuck with her makes me want to do it even more.

Like clockwork, Dallas comes waltzing across the parking lot to Colson’s car 10 minutes after dismissal. Her eyes gloss over me, as expected, and she tosses her bag in the passenger seat and climbs inside to distract herself with her phone.

I upped the ante this afternoon, so she probably thinks I’ll lay off. But she’ll get no relief from me. Instead, I pull out my phone and shoot her a text.

ME (3:42PM): You forgot your glasses case. Again.

I know she sees it, because she starts looking around impatiently until Colson gets in the car. I turn away with a chuckle and head to my SUV, debating whether to actually give her case back or just keep it. It’s the only thing I’ve put down her throat so far, and I didn’t expect her to be so good at it.

As soon as I turn down the next row, I see a tall figure standing at my hood, leaning against the grill guard. I recognize the unruly blonde hair and let out an exasperated sigh. For whatever reason that Austin Bostwick is waiting for me at my vehicle, it’s not lost on me that he chose to do it when no one else is around. I'd say he's smart, but smart would be if he didn't approach me at all.

He pushes off my bumper and turns in my direction with a snotty look of disdain. I walk straight past him to my door, unlock it, and toss my backpack across the console. Only then do I acknowledge his presence.

“Stay away from Dallas.”

He gets right to the point.

“What are you, her bodyguard?” I grin.