Chapter 43


    Harper


    Oh my God, did he really just say that? And then take off like a scared little chicken shit?


    Why yes. He did.


    What, now he wants to shove me into ke’s arms? Does this make him feel less guilty for kissing


    Aisha? If that’s the case, what a total prick.


    | already knew this though. He’s aplete asshole who only thinks of himself. Most of the time.


    Well, he’s definitely thinking of me when he’s got his fingers between my legs. Or his mouth…


    “What do you say, Harper? Let me take you to dinner.”


    ke’s deep voice pulls me from my lust-soaked thoughts and I blink at him, wishing like crazy that it


    was Easton who looked at me like that. Who asked me to dinner in front of everyone at school because


    he doesn’t care. He wants to be seen with me. I’m not his dirty little secret


    But it’s not Easton who’s asking me. It’s ke, who currently has a giant smile on his face, and I see


    something in his eyes that I’ve never noticed before. He’s looking at me as if he…actually likes me.


    Uh oh.


    I am so stupid. I should’ve never kissed him. Like, ever. And it felt wrong, kissing another boy when I


    still have feelings for stupid, annoying, make-me-want-to-rip -my-hair-out Easton. Spotting him in an


    embrace with Aisha had me seeing red. I didn’t even need to see her lipsnd on his. Actually, I


    couldn’t bear to see it. That would’ve sent mepletely over the edge. I was done.


    Over.


    Finished.


    Kissing ke was impulsive and a giant mistake. That kiss sent him a signali didn’t mean. I like him,


    but not like that. And now he’s looking at me as if I’m the only girl for him.


    “I can’t tonight,” I finally say, hating the way his face falls. “Some other time, okay? || have an essay to


    finish. And that history test we still need to study for.”


    “Yeah. I’d suggest a little study time together tonight instead, but I’m guessing you’re going to turn me


    down.” His lips form into a cute little pout, making me giggle.


    And I never giggle with Easton. Not ever. He doesn’t make meugh. He makes me want to p him.


    Right before I kiss him.


    “I’m afraid I would,” I say to ke, willing myself to like him. At least a little bit.


    But nope. I look into his eyes and feel nothing but friendliness.


    “Gotta go to ss,” I tell him. “Talkter?”


    ke snags my hand before I can walk away, pulling me in close. “You’re a mystery, Harper. One I’m


    dying to figure out.”


    Then he lets go of my hand and saunters down the hall, whistling.


    I watch him go for a moment, confused. There is nothing mysterious about me. Yeah, I might be


    sneaking around and hooking up with Easton in dark corners, but that’s the extent of my mystery. He’s


    only doing that with me because he’s ashamed to be seen with me in public, the asshole.


    My heart aches and I mentally tell it to stop. I can’t get all twisted up over that boy yet again. Maybe I


    should give up on boys in general until I start college.


    What’s happening right now is getting way too out of my control.


    I go to my locker and exchange my books, then m the metal door shut to find Easton right there,


    leaning his shoulder against the locker next to mine. I take a step back at first sight of the murderous


    re on his face.


    Aimed directly at me.


    “What’s your problem?”


    “You.” He spits out the word as if it’s a curse.


    N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    The moment he says it, I start walking, not wanting to hear him bash on me yet again.


    I’m tired of it. A girl can only take so much.


    “You’re my problem,” he says as he falls into step beside me.


    Huh. I guess it’s okay to be seen in public when he’s tossing insults at me but otherwise, forget it.


    “Please. Spare me the details. I don’t care if you hate me or not.” I push through the double doors and


    take a deep breath of fresh air, hating how shaky my exhale is.


    Easton gets close to me and I’m a mess.


    A jittery, fluttery mess.


    My heart is thumping. My pulse is throbbing in my neck.


    Between my thighs.


    And he’s just walking beside me.


    Seriously. I need help. A therapist maybe? Maybe I’m a sex addict who’s never had sex. It could


    happen


    Or maybe I’m an Easton addict. One look, one touch, one kiss, and I want more.


    More, more, more.


    “You’re the one who hates me, remember?” He grabs my arm, stopping me from


    escaping him, and I struggle against his hold. It’s no use.


    He’s too strong


    Easton shifts closer, his voice lowering so I can barely hear him. “Is that why you did it?”


    I frown. “Did what?”


    “You know.” He looks away for a moment, offering me a glimpse of his glorious profile. High


    cheekbones and sharp jaw. That sexy mouth and those dark eyebrows. A breeze washes over us,


    fluttering his hair and I long to run my fingers through it.


    God, what am I? Some sort of demented fairy princess ready to hurl herself at the evil viin? I’ve been


    reading too much fantasytely, swear to God.


    Easton turns to face me once more, his thunderous blue gaze meeting mine and I see.hurt there?


    No.


    “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I say slowly. “And besides, you’re the one who was kissing


    Aisha.”


    “What the fuck?” He grips the back of his neck, his biceps bulging. “I did not kiss her.”


    “Yes, you did. I saw the two of you together. Right before the rally. She had her ws in you.”


    Literally.


    “And I pushed her away.” He lowers his head until his face is in mine, his mouth so close my lips yearn


    to close the space between us. “Or did you happen to miss that tiny detail?”