Page 9 of Under the Lights (The Big Boys of BRU #2)

Eight

Sierra

I leaned forward, my elbows braced on the table, and fixed the freshman opposite me with a piercing glare. At the sight of her vivid, dark-red hair, my mind wandered straight back to … nope .

We’re not going there, not now . Totally the wrong time. It had been days already, and I was still anticipating a run-in with Dom at any moment — even though I knew he’d only visited.

“Let me be clear — if you think you can opt out of contributing to this project or do a poor job on purpose, then you’re dealing with the wrong person.

Don’t fuck with me. I promise you, it won’t end well for you.

I will not be sitting here again next semester.

Aside from the fact that I can think of better things to do, I have absolutely no time for that. ”

She just looked at me with slightly raised eyebrows, the muted light from the tall library windows casting soft shadows across her face.

Around us, the faint rustle of pages turning and the occasional soft thump of book covers closing on tables filled the quiet air. The scent of old books mixed with a faint trace of polished wood and worn leather hung in the space between stacks.

I continued, my voice low and steady. “We’re each doing our part and putting our best efforts forward. Have I made myself clear?”

The fact that I was in this class at all was down to bad luck, considering I should’ve finished it last year, if not before.

’ Should have ’ being the key word, and consequently, not only was I stuck in a class full of freshmen, but I was also stuck in a mandatory group project.

She pursed her lips, but I could have sworn the corners of her mouth had twitched a moment before. “Nice speech.”

Unimpressed, I returned her gaze. “I know. And I meant every fucking word.”

She shrugged, flipping a loose strand of her ponytail over her shoulder as the soft library lighting caught the sheen of it. “No problem for me. I’m Ella.”

“Sierra.”

“What unfortunate circumstance landed you in this class?” she asked, scanning the shelf-lined walls while toying with a strand of her long ponytail.

I eyed her for a moment, deciding if I wanted to keep this collaboration strictly academic or if I was willing to add a personal component. Ella obviously didn’t pull any punches, and I appreciated that she didn’t back down when I confronted her.

In high school, I would have taken it as a challenge, but thankfully I was past that.

“My own stupidity, I guess,” I sighed, smoothing out my skirt.

“I kept putting it off, and now it was kind of my last chance. It’s a requirement before I can take certain upper-level classes.

I have a packed schedule my last year of school, and this one just wasn’t going to fit in with all my other commitments. ”

She nodded, her ponytail swaying slightly with the movement. “Sounds like you have a lot on your plate. I’m definitely not going to give you any trouble.”

“Very comforting, indeed. Ready to get started?” I flipped open my laptop and glanced at her over the top of the screen.

“Let’s do it.”

***

As I walked across campus, my phone buzzed for the umpteenth time. David’s name flashed across the screen. It had been over a week since I’d caught him, and he wouldn’t leave me alone.

As usual, I declined the call.

Sure, I could just block his number, but where was the fun in that? I was petty enough to let him know that I was seeing his calls and messages and deliberately ignoring them — every single time.

It was the least he deserved.

There was none of that “fool me twice” bullshit with me. One strike, and you were out, plain and simple.

Spring was giving way to early May, and the air was thick with the scent of freshly mowed grass and the faint sweetness of irises blooming along the walkways.

The sun was already warm, and I could feel the first beads of sweat forming at my hairline. I fanned myself with my flat hand, trying to chase it away.

Twice today, I thought I saw him — those tattoos, that stance — but both times, it was just someone walking past, disappearing too fast. Already irritated that I’d left my workout clothes at home, I turned down the tree-lined street leading to the sorority house, only to come to a screeching halt.

This day officially sucked.

David’s flashy Range Rover was parked outside. I wanted to turn on my heel and march away. The girls would probably take care of him sooner or later.

But this was my problem. It wasn’t my way to shirk this confrontation.

I had known this was going to happen eventually. To be honest, I was almost surprised that he hadn’t shown up sooner. David couldn’t stand not having the last word, something we had clashed over many times during our relationship.

Taking a deep breath, I schooled my expression, then set off again with determined steps. The door of the black SUV opened as I approached the house, and David got out.

His dark brown hair was gelled to perfection, and he looked pissed, which immediately made my hair stand on end. What reason did he have to be pissed off? The audacity of this man! I could feel the impatience radiating from him.

My steps remained steady. If he thought I would hurry just because he was waiting, he was sorely mistaken. Running my tongue over my teeth, I gave him a disdainful look as I came to a stop a few feet away from him.

“What the fuck, Sierra? I’ve been trying to talk to you for days. Why don’t you answer your fucking phone?”

We both knew the answer to that question, so I didn’t bother answering. Crossing my arms over my chest, I raised my eyebrows slightly and shook my head slightly from side to side as if to say, “ So? ”.

David scoffed. “You have to at least give me a chance to explain myself.”

“I don’t have to do anything.” I let out an incredulous laugh. “Let me guess? It wasn’t what it looked like?”

“Nah, I wouldn’t insult your intelligence like that.”

“Ohhh, thank you, how nice of you.” My voice was sweet as sugar. This pretentious asshole . “And yet, you didn’t think I was intelligent enough to realize you were fucking other people behind my back. So forgive me if I don’t particularly care what you think of my intelligence.”

“Come on, Si.” He rolled his eyes. “It was one time. I just needed something else, but I promise you it won’t happen again.”

I blinked a few times. “ Something else ?! Are you fucking serious, David? Who the fuck do you think you are? After that stunt, I wouldn’t touch you with a pair of tongs, let alone take you back.”

“It was a one-off slip, Si! I promise.” He shook his head as if I were being unreasonable.

“I don’t give a fuck. Cheating is unacceptable — period .”

“Can you stop being so difficult for one second? I swear, I don’t even know why I’m even trying to do this.”

I threw my arms up in the air. “That’s beyond me too! If you even knew me at all, you’d realize this is pointless.”

“Jesus Christ, stop being such a bitch, Sierra. No wonder I wanted a girl in my bed who doesn’t give me attitude all the fucking time,” he sneered.

Inwardly I winced, but outwardly I managed to preserve a blank expression. “You’re pathetic. I certainly wasn’t pining for you. Ever thought that maybe it’s you? The right guy can fuck that attitude out of me. Ask me how I know .”

“Don’t bullshit me,” he scoffed.

”Think what you want, David. If I’m so exhausting, why are you still bothering me?” I pursed my lips and looked at him challengingly.

“Christ, I have no idea why I ever agreed to this.”

“Agreed? What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

For the first time, his poise began to waver. It was like a mousetrap snapping shut. “Fuck, I didn’t — that’s not what I meant.” He crossed his arms in front of his chest.

“Not what you meant? How strange because it’s what you fucking said. So …” I spread my hands slightly in faux curiosity. “I’m genuinely dying to know who you agreed to this whole thing here with.”

With open hands, I gesticulated between him and me, drawing circles in the air.

“Just drop it, Sierra. This was a mistake. I shouldn’t have come.”

I laughed sardonically. “Wow. Look at that. You’re actually right — for the first time ever.

But as you and I both know, I’m not one for sweeping things like that under the rug.

I wonder what the administration would think if they knew you guys continued hazing.

You don’t honestly think I didn’t notice that you guys were forcing the freshmen to get completely hammered at that one party, do you? ”

David raised his hands defensively. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.

And even if I did,” he shook his head slowly, “I’d take the disciplinary action for that.

Maybe you should get your own house in order before you come at me.

Trust me, Sierra, you don’t want to fuck with us because we’ve got enough shit on you too. ”

What the fuck was he talking about?

He put a hand on the handle of the door, mockingly offering me a two-finger salute. “I’m outta here. This isn’t worth it.”

The cogs in my head were working in overdrive as I gave him a contemptuous finger wave, along with a flippant “Bye-bye.”

An uneasy feeling spread through the pit of my stomach. Something was up — I just had to find out what.