Page 45 of The Devils They Are
But Hunter would kill me.
I would probably kill me too. That was essentially social suicide.
We agreed to be amicable at school, but apparently, that meanssilence.
She doesn't look at me. She doesn't speak to me. And she sure as hell isn't picturing me naked.
Yet, as I watch her converse at the cafeteria table, a hand from her boy-toy on her leg, I want nothing more than to go over there and rip it off her. Actually, that's a lie—I want to rip his hand offhisbody so he never touches her again.
"Earth to Rylan." Hunter snaps his fingers in my face, bringing me back to reality. "Why are you staring at their table?"
"Just reminding myself why we have to pretend to like them," I answer monotonously. "Besides, it's just until they leave. We'll still beat their asses on Friday night."
I have no doubt that the warehouse is going to be lit at the end of the week. The rain is making us all a little crazy, and I'm actually considering throwing myself into the ring to blow off some pent up steam.
Tai leans forward, lowering his voice. "We could still mess with her. If we land her back in detention, I could disable the cameras this time."
"No," I quickly reply. Clearing my throat, I elaborate when they both give me puzzled looks. "Okay, look…"
They wait as I take a deep breath and search for my balls.
"I spoke to her Thursday night," I admit, watching as Hunter's mouth falls open in angry disbelief. "People were getting restless, making accusations about us. I was pressured to smooth things over by Dad, but the only way that would work is if Cedar got off our backs too."
"Are you fucking kidding me?" Hunter gapes, clearly outraged and offended by this update. "You struck a deal with Spencer?That'swhy we have to back off?"
I resist the urge to scowl at his accusation—insinuating weakness. "I didn't tell you because I knew we'd end up in an argument. And it was better doing it one on one, instead of all three of us ambushing her."
Tai frowns, looking between us. "I don't know, Ry. I have to admit, I don't like this. I thought it was just because of your dad."
"Neither do I," Hunter agrees angrily. "We were doing damage control. Now people are going to think we're weak for making peace with her."
"That's exactly our problem," I say frustrated. "We need to stop showing that we care. When everyone saw us infuriated by the videos, they doubled down. This is our shot at control again—we show a united front, rising above. The others will fall into line and understand it was a leadership decision. If we show we're the bigger threat by remaining unfazed, things will go smoothly and give us time to regroup."
"That decision should have come from all of us," Hunter rebuts. "I'm not playing house with Spencer. This is still our territory."
I nod, understanding. "She knows that, Hunter. But things will go a lot more smoothly for us if we play nice. Then, when it's all over and they are out of here, we can attack."
That seems to satisfy him—for now, at least. Though it does nothing to curb the sickening feeling in my throat.
He leans back in his seat, glancing over at Tai. "Any more information on those contacts of hers?"
Tai shakes his head. "I still can't find anything out about Lark Kory. It would be easier to jailbreak into her cell."
"We don't need the info," I exclaim. "Not at the moment, anyway. But I'll work on finding out information."
Hunter narrows his eyes suspiciously at me. "Just howfriendlyare you with Spencer at the moment?"
Too much, Hunter.
Way too fucking much.
This is a mistake.
Anyone could see and then I'll never hear the end of it.
Bexley Spencer has turned me into a damn stalker now.
Instead of going home during last period since I didn't have class, I decided to stake out the grounds, waiting to catch her. I knew from her arrival this morning that she had come alone in her truck, so I stood by the dinged-up, battered old blue thing, hiding out of sight of the main entrance as students flooded out.
