Page 22 of Vicious Little Snakes

“You know what? You don’t want mine. Trust me, I’m a dick.”

My palms smack the bar on the door, throwing it open as I exit. I can’t do school today. Just being in the same building with Caroline is too much. It’s melodramatic, I know, but everything feels bigger when it’s about her. Like all rational thought gets tossed out of the fucking window.

The air is chilly as I stalk across the commons, heading for the parking lot. I don’t care if I get in trouble or my father is called. I need to breathe.

Caroline makes me feel like I’m fucking suffocating on all the shit I won’t say. I can’t even trust myself not to be a grade-A prick to her. Fuck. The surprise on her face though, when she thought we’d accidentally bumped into each other was priceless, and I enjoyed it too much.

What the fuck is wrong with me?

I look around the parking lot, trying to remember where I parked my Ducati.

The entire morning, I made it a point to make sure Caroline saw me. It was obnoxious, even for me. But something about her breezing down the fucking hall like she owned the place—and that stupid Duckie joke, it just pissed me off. She acted like I didn’t exist. As if me ignoring her wasn’t eating her alive.

Of course, she acted like that. I’m ignoring her, but what if she doesn’t actually care. That’s the thought that makes it hard to take a full breath.

I’ve always harbored the idea that I may not mean as much as Kai, but I still mean something. And now, I’m fucking positive thatsomethingfeels a shit ton better thannothing.

“Fuck,’ I shout, only now remembering that I took the car in rather than driving myself.

I search the parking lot, spotting Grey’s beloved little speedster.The keys are inside—I’d put money on it.Nobody would dare to even stand next to it, let alone steal the shit. Weaving around cars, I’m snapping my fingers, grin on my face as I come to his car and try the door.

“Bingo.”

Sliding inside, I flip the visor, and his fucking keys fall out. “The arrogance,” I laugh to myself. I’m also appreciative that he’s my best friend because I know he won’t actually have me killed for what I’m about to do.

Desperate times.

The car purrs as I turn it over, but instead of enjoying it, I tear out and leave Hillcrest in Grey’s rearview. Trees streak by as I drive, probably too fast, down the entry, kicking up dust, putting as much distance between me and it as quickly as I possibly can.

* * *

The sun shines off the river as we walk back up the dock, sweaty from practice. I’d made it back to school just in time because the coach’s wrath is never something I seek. But rowing was something I wanted to do—it always clears my head. Not as much as painting, but since one makes me think of the girl I’m trying to forget, I chose the other.

“If there’s even one scratch, dick,” Grey grumbles, tossing his duffle over his shoulder.

I’d run down the hill, tossing his keys to him, giving myself away, instead of leaving them in the car. It was funnier in my head.

“Calm down. I put gas it in, and I only jerked off on the passenger seat.”

The truth is, I did nothing. I drove a mile down the road, parked, and laid on the hood, staring at the fucking sky and overanalyzing every fucking piece of my life. Surprisingly, I thought a lot about art and my conversation with my father since it’s what kicked off my shit day.

Kai barks out a laugh, shaking his head as Grey stands staring at me. Grey slams his duffle down, ready to have my head, but I can’t stop smiling. He’s so uptight.

Backing away, I toss more gasoline on the fire, “Dude, you left the keys inside—it was begging to get stolen; at least I returned it. But cards on the table? I may have hit the parking block, but I’m sure it’ll buff out.”

“You’re going in,” he shouts, pointing at the river.

Shit. Grey starts off toward me, but Kai tries to block him, unsuccessfully, because he’s hot on my six. I dart over the planks to the grass, laughing.

“Run, bitch. Or you’re getting drowned.”

I’m hauling ass up the hill, Grey on my heels, as I spot Van coming down from the stump. Before she can say anything, I wrap an arm around her waist. I hoist her up in front of me, using her as a shield.

“Time out. Time out.”

“Liam,” she screams, gripping my arms.

“Take one for the team, Van. Your boy’s crazy.”