“People been asking for you. They want you to fight. They’re talking big numbers.”

Big money. I could use it after my mom practically drained me, but...

Can’t.

I shake my head with a tight-lipped frown. “I’ll pass on this one.”

“Not sure there’ll be a next time.”

Bass and I both look down the hall where Maddoc leans against the wall ignoring the others who talk around him as he focuses on the two of us.

“Thanks for the offer, but I’m good.”

He nods, pushes off the locker and walks away.

I don’t watch him go but keep my stare on Maddoc’s as he heads for me in the same second.

He steps in and I lean back against the cool metal.

“What’d he want?”

“Don’t worry, big man. It was a chat that didn’t go his way.” I look to Royce as he and Captain step up, and nod in the direction of our first class. “Ready?”

I don’t wait for an answer but start toward it and after a minute, Royce falls in line beside me. He doesn’t pester with an arm on my shoulder like normal, doesn’t make a scene as we walk in together. In fact, he doesn’t say a word.

I drop into my seat and wonder when I started making decisions that are bad for me but follow the line three bossy boys drew for me.

Not good.

“You got dicked.”

I glare at Vienna when she plants her ass on the top of the picnic table where I’m waiting for the boys’ practice to end.

“Hello to you too.”

“Oh you totally got dicked and now your moral compass is broken.”

I drop my hands into my lap. “What are you talking about?”

“You’re stressed, almost sulking, and in my experience, those things are linked to a penis.” When I stare blankly, she pulls back slightly. “Vagina?”

I laugh rolling my eyes. “Not gay, and dick has nothing to do with my problems right now.”

Her eyes light up and she moves to straddle the bench so she’s level with me. “But you did get some?”

“Why you so interested?” I grow defensive and she holds up her hands.

“Sorry. Forgot. You suck at having friends.” She laughs, pulling out a bag of chips from her backpack. “Heard Maddoc took you to trade back Mello’s shit?”

“Yeah, I wasn’t sure how to find her, but turned out Royce knew exactly where she lived.” I laugh and Vienna grins.

“’Course he did.”

“How’s everything at the house?”

She shrugs. “Same as always. Routine and boring but ... safe.”

I nod.

“Seems trash sticks together.”

We both look left finding Chloe standing there with her followers.

Neither of us says anything and she rolls her eyes.

“Word on campus is you and Collins Graven were seen kissing at The Tower last weekend.”

With my elbow on the table, I drop my chin in my palm, not impressed with her lame attempt to get a rise from me.

“Then you heard how the boys showed up later, went caveman, and stole Cinderella away after kicking his ass.” Vienna smiles brightly.

Chloe’s minions’ eyes round and she licks her lips a slight frown forming on her forehead.

She hadn’t heard that part.

Her little mole only gave her half the juice.

“You better watch yourself, Rae. I can make you go away with one phone call if I really wanted.” She lifts a brow and my eyes narrow.

“Just give it up, Chloe,” Vienna snaps. “Or maybe, you know, don’t and you wouldn’t get so attached to guys who don’t care for more.”

But Chloe ignores her and sashays away with her smirk still intact.

“That was—” I’m cut off when my name is called. I look left to find one of the guys from Maddoc’s team. Think his name is Jason.

Seems practice must have just ended.

“Hey.”

“I’ll ... catch you later, Rae.” V wiggles her eyebrows and bounces off, so I turn to face the guy fully.

“You going to the party tonight?”

“I am.”

“What color you be wearing?” When my head pulls back, he chuckles.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“It’s a traffic light party.” He explains, “Red means you’re taken, Yellow means you’re unsure, Green means you’re available.”

“How about black for not interested?”

He gives an easy, looks over my shoulder then back down at me. “See you tonight.”

Maddoc steps up beside me, his stare following the Jason guy away. He looks down at me. “Ready to go?”

“Ready to go.”

She laughs again, shoving his shoulder when he leans over to speak to her. Yeah, it’s loud as fuck in here and to be heard you have to shout, but I’m over this motherfucker and his obsession with her. I told his ass to watch himself around her. He must have decided I was playin’ and it’s pissing me off.

In fact, all these assholes are pissing me off, comin’ at her like they can, as if she’s free game when she’s not. To make it worse, she somehow ended up wearing green, when I told her ass to wear red – I didn’t tell her why but who the fuck cares.

I thought it was obvious she’s not just the girl in our group, protected by us but open for others. Guess I haven’t been clear enough.

It’s time these people learn.

It’s time she admits.

I stand and head straight for her.

She’s got her back to me, but Bishop sees me coming and his grin slowly falls as he looks off. That prompts her to look over her shoulder, right at me.

“Catch you later, Rae,” Bishop tells her before stepping away, as he fucking should.

And she doesn’t bother looking after him.

Nah, her stormy eyes stay locked on me as she slowly spins her body to face mine.

I slide my hand behind her, slipping my fingers halfway into the back of her jeans as I pull her against me.

Her tongue pushes between her teeth and she bites down, eyelids lowering in a silent demand.

I lean closer and her chest inflates, but still, so much fucking sass laces her features.

She’s a stubborn one, unwilling to give in completely but unable to hold back just the same.

I start dancing and she follows, her hips rolling perfectly with mine, our bodies now acquainted with each other’s.

Finally, her hands land on me, her grip on my neck just as possessive as mine on her back.

Show them, baby. Make them see.

Her fingers fan out across my collarbone and slowly slide up, brushing through my hair in deep, massage-like movements.

Her features smooth as her fingertips dig into my skin – she’s getting horny for me.

But when the song changes it jolts her and she snaps out of it, sliding her hands down to rest on my chest.

I lean forward, ready to whisper in her ear but she uses her position to nudge me back, unintentionally making me lose my footing, but I catch myself quick, as well as the attention of the rest of the room.

I’m slow to walk into her and I don’t stop until she hits the entertainment center with a soft thud.