Page 14 of Stalked

Can't wait for you to sit on my face.

Heat rushes through my body, pooling low in my stomach. I snap my phone face down on the table, heart hammering against my ribs. The cafeteria suddenly feels way too warm.

“What did he say?” Megan tries to reach for my phone. “You look like you're about to combust.”

“Nothing,” I say too quickly, shoving my phone into my pocket. “Just confirming details for tomorrow.”

I chance a glance across the cafeteria. Vane is watching me with one eyebrow raised as if asking if I got his message. When our eyes meet, he slowly licks his bottom lip, making the meaning crystal clear even from across the room.

“You are so lying,” Dani says, following my gaze. “Oh my god, are you two sexting right now? In the middle of lunch?”

“No!” My voice comes out too high-pitched. “Of course not.”

James snorts. “Your face says otherwise.”

I gather my things, desperate to escape before they can interrogate me further. “I need to go... study. For the Calc test.”

“The Calc test was yesterday,” Zoe points out, grinning.

“Right. I meant... I need to go buy a dress. For prom. Tomorrow.” I stand up so abruptly that I nearly knock over my water bottle. “See you guys later.”

As I hurry toward the exit, I feel Vane's eyes following me the entire way, burning into my back. My phone buzzes again in my pocket, but I don't dare look at it until I'm safely alone.

6

VANE

Iadjust my tie for the fifth time, staring at the Morgan family's front door like it's the entrance to a prison. My heart hammers against my ribs, a foreign sensation crawling through my veins—nervousness. Vane Blackwood doesn't get nervous, not during tests, not in fights, not ever.

But meeting Lia's parents? Different story.

Authority figures and I don't mix well. Teachers, principals, cops, social workers—they see a problem, not a person. And fathers are the worst. TheWhat are your intentions with my daughterbullshit usually makes me want to either smirk or throw a punch.

I take a deep breath and ring the doorbell before I can talk myself out of it.

The door swings open, and a woman with Lia's eyes smiles at me. “You must be Vane! Come in, come in.”

I step inside, shoulders tense, scanning for threats out of habit.

“Honey, your date is here!” she calls up the stairs before turning back to me. “I'm Diana, Lia's mom. She's just finishing getting ready.”

A tall man appears from what looks like a living room, and I brace myself. His hand extends toward me, and I hesitate before shaking it.

“Vane, nice to meet you. I'm Robert,” Lia's father says with a firm but friendly grip. No glaring, no intimidation tactics. Just a normal handshake.

I clear my throat. “Nice to meet you both, Mr. and Mrs. Morgan.”

“Please, call us Robert and Diana,” her mother says, waving away the formality. “We've heard so little about you, actually. Lia keeps her school life pretty private.”

That explains the warm welcome. If they knew half the shit that's gone down between us, I'd be getting the shotgun treatment instead of smiles.

“Can I get you something to drink while you wait? Water? Soda?” Diana asks.

“Water would be great, thanks,” I say, surprised by their hospitality.

Robert gestures toward the living room. “Come have a seat. I understand you're in AP Chemistry with Lia?”

I follow him, taking in the family photos lining the hallway. Lia at various ages, always smiling that smile that drives me crazy.