Chapter 12

Ilearned at a young age not to trust the girls around me. There was nothing more fake than a group of teenage girls. Especially if they were popular.

They may smile and compliment your outfit, but every nice word they said was secretly dripping with jealousy and disdain. There was no such thing as sisterhood. There was just being better than the girl next to you.

Cheerleaders were a perfect example of this. They put up a front of unity, while secretly praying that one of their teammates would break their arm or leg, so they could be on the top of the pyramid.

Not that I had any personal experience with the popular crowd, but Veda did, and I was an expert at eavesdropping. Benefits of being the younger sibling.

I heard the shit she would say behind her supposed friends" backs. That's when I decided I didn't want to be an it girl. One real friend was worth more than a hundred people who pretended to like you. Besides, keeping up appearances seemed like way too much work for me. Veda would spend hours getting ready and I was not about to get up that early. I liked my bed too much for that.

I was perfectly happy being the real me in the shadow of others. Why would anyone want to be in the limelight? It didn't make sense to me. So what if I was known as the girl with a sock on her ass? Big deal. That just meant I didn't have to talk to people. Being ignored and on the bottom rung of the social ladder was incredibly freeing.

At least that's what I thought until Gio spent the entire week pretending I didn't exist. That's when freeing took a violent shove in the direction of disturbing.

Thanks to the rumor going around, every day I'd come to school and be inconvenienced by friendly greetings and unwanted conversations. Everyone wanted my attention. Everyone except Gio.

If there was one thing I learned from comic books and movies, it was that nothing good happened when your nemesis suddenly had no interest. That was usually when the doomsday clock started ticking.

Unlike the heroes in those stories, I was an untrusting individual and knew to be on the lookout for the beginnings of a diabolical plan. Unfortunately, Gio's silence wasn't giving me any clues. The only thing I'd been able to come up with was my possible demise for cannibalistic purposes. That was solely based on the menacing glare he gave me yesterday while eating his lunch.

"How was Chem?"

My eyes narrowed on Memphis, who was leaning against the locker next to mine. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Did he know something?

"I mean, how was chem?"

Well, let's see… I spent the last half of class trapped at a lab with an oddly silent Gio Mancini–who may or may not want to eat me–so…

"Eerie."

That was not a fun way to end the school day.

This time it was his gaze that narrowed in suspicion. "Did you blow something up again?"

"That was one time." I rolled my eyes and stuffed the last of my books in my locker. "And it was totally the teacher's fault."

He was the one who gave us the ingredients to make nitroglycerin. Sure, that wasn't what we were supposed to be doing, but what did he think would happen? It took an exorbitant amount of time to fix the damage. I couldn't see that happening here. Public schools didn't have the same funding as private. That might be an interesting theory to test?

"Why don't I believe you?"

Because you know me.

"I think you just have trust issues. You should probably work on that."

His face dropped as he clicked out an unimpressed tsk.

"We're going to slide right past that comment, and go back to why you thought chem class was eerie."

Ugh, did we have to?

"Care to elaborate?"

Not really.

I could tell Memphis that didn't trust Gio, but then he'd ask what happened, and I'd have to explain my paranoia, which sounded way too exhausting. So, I went with the simpler explanation.

"Gio was my lab partner."

His entire demeanor instantly shifted. Bright eyes narrowed while his shoulders rolled back and chest puffed out. "What did he do?"

"Nothing." That was the problem.

When Gio was openly picking on me, I knew what to expect. Now, I was minding my own business and randomly getting come on my face. Which by the way, I swore was still swimming around my cheeks. Could sperm burrow into your pores? Because, I'd washed my face a dozen times last night and I could still feel them.

I think it was safe to say that Gio heard the rumor. Apparently Atlee was right about the jealousy thing. That didn't bode well for the human race. No one should to live a world where Atlee Fiore was right.

"Gio didn't do anything? I find that hard to believe."

Didn't we cover this topic already. "That's because you have trust issues."

"Don't give me that load of crap." Memphis folded his arms over his chest. "I'm not the one in this duo with trust issues."

"I trust people." I trusted that they would be assholes.

"Oh yeah, when's the last time you let someone in?"

That was the worst argument ever. "I open the door when people knock."

Most of the time.

"That's not what I'm talking about, and you know it."

Maybe he should be clear with his statements then.

"You can't keep yourself closed off forever."

I believed I could. Besides… "No one wants to to know the inner workings of my mind."

My mind was messy and hormonal, I didn't even want to be in there.

"No, you don't want that." Memphis corrected making me once again roll my eyes. "Everyone needs human connections."

"I have you." I argued.

"You need more than me."

I did have more than him. "You seem to be forgetting about my boyfriend."

That rumor was seriously getting out of hand. It didn't help that Atlee was perpetuating it. Bastard tried to grab my hand in the parking lot this morning. He got a nut punch for that, which he oddly seemed to enjoy. As if he wasn't disturbing enough already.

"Ugh," Memphis shook his head. "Is there anyone that doesn't believe that bullshit?"

"Well, Sutton asked me today if I'd given into the heathen gods… so, I'm gonna go with no."

Yup, even Miss House of the Lord thought I was banging the biggest man whore in town. On the upside, my mysterious mis-speller had more reason write hore on my stuff. I might finally find out his identity. So, there was that.

"I never thought I'd see the day when you were the most popular girl in school."

"Hey," I slammed my locker shut. "You take that back."

There was no need for insults.

"Don't worry," Memphis looped his arm in mine and we head down the hall for the main door. "I don't believe it."

At least I had someone on my side.

"There's no way Atlee Fiore would ever be interested in someone like you."

I paused with my hand on the door. "What's wrong with me?"

"Where should I start?"

Alright that was a valid point, but still…

I lifted my chin and pulled open the door, allowing sunlight the flood in the entrance. "I'll have you know that Atlee himself said that he wanted to sleep with me."

Take that.

"Uh huh." Memphis muttered and follow me outside.

Again with the trust issues.

"Is it really that hard to believe?" I said while ignoring the three assholes leaning against a Range Rover parked next to my truck.

Invading my space seemed to be Gio's new tactic. He didn't talk to me or acknowledge my existence, but he made sure to be everywhere I was.

In the desk next to me in class, standing in the hall by my locker in the morning, and of course there was the parking situation. Yesterday I came out and moved my truck during lunch. Guess where his vehicle was at the end of the day?

Memphis nodded. "Yes."

That was a little insulting. I may not be one of those girls with manicures and perfect hair. Honestly, I was lucky if I remembered to brush my hair before Maw Maw pushed me out the door in the morning – but I wasn't hideous.

"He did say it."

Memphis shoulders lifted in a shrug. "Whatever you say."

Why did that sound condescending?

"I'm not lying."

"Okay."

Bastard.

"Don't give me that tone. It happened." I wish it didn't, but it did. Home Ec class and chocolate chip cookies were now forever ruined.

"I'm sure you think it did."

Oh my god.

I considered punching my best friend as we skipped down the steps, and headed for the parking lot.

"Guys are interested in me." I had boyfriends… kind of. Sure the last one cheated on me, but I still got asked out and looked at.

"Atlee Fiore isn't a guy."

That was such bullshit. "Last I checked he had a dick."

In fact I had my hand on it not that long ago. There was a memory I wished I could forget.

"No offence Nova, but Atlee is hot. He could have any girl or guy he wanted. Why would he go after you?"

"I have my charms." Sometimes.

"You're also a complete and utter mess."

Ugh, please."I'm not that bad."

Sure there were well put together girls around us, getting in their clean cars that started on the first key turn, but that didn't mean I was undesirable. Simon wanted me, until Cindy and her big boobs came bouncing along.

"Okay," Memphis pulled us to a stop and nodded in the direction of the asshole trio. "Look at him."

Did I have too? I was trying to pretend a certain someone didn't exist. Looking over there would kind of defeat the purpose. But Memphis wasn't going to let it go until his point was made.

Sighing, I gave in a shifted my gaze across the parking lot.

"Do you see that?"

"I see three assholes." Two of which seemed to be arguing. Atlee's hands swung through the air, while Darry's face deepened with a scowl. One might assume he was annoyed – which considering who he was talking to, was completely understandable. But Darry always looked angry, so they could just be having a regular conversation.

"Do you see how hot Atlee is?"

No, but I was pretty sure I saw murder in Gio's eyes.

"He doesn't have to try. Sexual magnetism just oozes off him."

"If you say so."

My eyes remained locked on Gio's dark stare. There was something different about the way he was watching me. It made me miss the blissful ignorance I got from him early in the day.

Suppressing a shiver, I decided to focus on the other two, who were still in the middle of a heated conversation. Well, Atlee was. Darry just huffed out a sigh.

"What do you think they're talking about?"

"Probably about how Atlee didn't hit on you."

"Hey, I didn't say he hit on me. I said he said he wanted to fuck me." There was a difference.

Memphis shook his head. "Nova, look at him."

Didn't we do this already?

"Atlee is clean, he smells good, his hair is styled, and he's charming. You showed up this morning with Cheerios stuck to your shirt."

"What's your point?"

"Guys who look like that go for girls who put effort into their appearance."

Pfft, showed how much he knew.

"Gio's hot."

Memphis's face dropped. "You did not just say that."

I wasn't wrong, though it did seem like something odd to come out of my mouth? Was I attracted to Gio? It was probably better not to put too much thought into that question.

I waved my hand dismissively. "You know what I mean."

"Nova." Memphis tipped his head with a suspicious side eye. "Tell me you're not attracted to Gio Mancini?"

"Eww." I was trying not to think about that. "Of course I'm not."

Right?

Sure, he was attractive in an obvious way. All full of hard muscles with an olive complexion that tanned perfectly. That didn't mean I was attracted to him. Who wanted a guy with obvious good looks and an intoxicating, spicy, woodsy scent? Other men smelled good. Maybe not Simon, but they were out there.

"Okay," Memphis nodded.

I thought that was the end of it. I was wrong.

Memphis took two steps, then stopped to eye me again. "Why would you bring up Gio?"

"Um, because he's right there." Staring at me like he wanted to eat me.

The cannibal idea might be more plausible than I thought.

"No." Memphis once again tipped his head my way. "We were talking about Atlee hitting on you. You said Gio was hot."

"So?"

"So, why Gio? Why not Darry?"

I was starting to see the flaw in my statement. Darius Barone wasn't anything to scoff at, yet my mind went to Gio. Why?

My mouth opened, but no argument came out. I had no explanation. I wracked my brain trying to come up with one, but it just wasn't there. The only thing I could think about was the way Gio's face contorted when he was shoved down my throat, which only confused me more.

Why would I go to that moment? It wasn't like I enjoyed it. That was humiliating and horrible, but it kind of made me feel powerful. Maybe I did like it?

God damnit.

When I took too long to answer Memphis, that skeptical line in his brow deepened. "Did something happen between you and Gio?"

When did he become a mind reader?

"Pfft, no. I would tell you if something did."

I totally wouldn't. Memphis didn't need to be drug deeper into this shit than he already was.

"Uh huh? Just like you told me when you kissed him, right?"

I knew that would come back to bite me in the ass.

"Those didn't count."

I didn't ask Gio to kiss me. He just did it, which considering he hated the ground I walked on, was weird. Why would he do something like that with someone he loathed so much? And guys thought girls were compilated.

When Memphis's judgy look didn't let up, I pointed out, "When have I ever lied to you about a guy?"

Until recently, I literally told him everything.

"Prince Charming."

Well if he was going to remember everything... "I was six."

And that situation wasn't even close to this. For the most part.

I looked over at the green glare throwing daggers my way.

Gio's normally intense stare was extra penetrating today. I could feel the weight of his hatred pressing down on me. But it was the shadow casting darkness in his expression that made my stomach swirl.

"Actually, you were seven…" Memphis said, drawing my attention back to him. "And you drew fake wedding pictures to try and prove it."

Yeah, that probably wasn't the best piece of evidence to fabricate. It might've helped if I didn't make Prince Charming purple.

"Need I remind you about your engagement to the king of rock and roll."

Memphis also went through an Elvis phase. Of course neither of us knew the king was no longer with us and hadn't been since long before we were born. When Memphis found out, he wore black for a week.

"I didn't invite you over for a reception buffet of peanut butter and crackers."

"Hey, those were good."

"You made them out of cardboard and paint."

What did he want me to do? I wasn't allowed in the kitchen.

"Listen," Memphis cut me off before I could say anything else. "We're not talking about fairy tale characters or someone that none of us have ever met."

Personally, I thought my fantasy wedding was pretty spectacular, but whatever.

"Gio is a real, living, breathing person."

Was he sure about that? The person thing might be a stretch. I wasn't sure if any of those three were human. A demon I could see. Then again, they could've come from the other way. The divine liked their rules, and so did Gio. Not that anyone would be able to tell that from this week at school.

I could count the number of times he talked to me on one hand. Other than his Friday threat, he told me to get the fuck out of his way in the hall, then to shut up – by the way I wasn't talking to him at the time – and then there was the ‘remember this when you think of Atlee' crap.

Great, now I could feel his jizz on my skin again.

"Gio Mancini is not someone you should be interested in, Nova. He's the enemy."

Seriously? "I know."

Did he think I forgot?

"Nova," Memphis put his hand on my shoulder when I moved to step away. "I wouldn't judge you if you were."

Why not? I'd judge myself.

"I'm not interested in Gio, Memphis."

"But you agreed to marry him?"

Really? "I had to do something."

"You didn't have to do that."

Ignoring his comment, I lifted my foot to walk away. I was not having this argument with him again.

"Unless you wanted to."

I stopped midstride. What was that supposed to mean? "Do you think I wanted this?"

"Do you?"

Was he serious right now?

"You're fucking kidding, right?"

"I don't know." Memphis shrugged. "It's not like you tell me anything anymore."

His words tore deep down into my soul. I hated hiding things from him. every time I opened my mouth and lied to him, it killed me a little more. Memphis was the one person I could always talk to, but now there was this wall between us. A bridge that I couldn't cross without putting him in danger, and letting him know the truth. Part of me enjoyed the forceful, rough things Gio did.

"I tell you stuff."

"Not like you used to."

I didn't have an argument for that one, because he was right.

Memphis let out an exasperated breath. "I just want to help you, Nova."

"You can't." No one could.

"You don't have to do this alone."

Yes I did.

"Alright," Memphis sighed when I didn't respond. "Just tell me one thing, it will help me sleep better at night… Did you like it when he kissed you?"

Why would knowing that help him sleep better? If I said no, then when Gio crossed that line it would be…

That's when I noticed the spark in his eye. Memphis didn't want me to say no. He wanted me to like it, because then he could pretend that this whole fucked up situation was a real relationship, and I was happy. He needed to know that I'd be okay.

"Yes," I whispered. "I liked it."

It felt wrong to admit that out loud.

"You're not just saying that, are you?"

I wish I was. "Unfortunately, no."

"Okay, I can live with that for now." He nodded and looked over at Gio. "But if he hurts you…"

We both knew that was going to happen.

"How about we just concentrate on getting home, and you can play world's worst bodyguard later."

Memphis rolled his eyes as I looped my arm in his and pulled him across the parking lot.

The closer we got to my truck, the more I could feel Gio's stare boring into me. That was fine. He could give me all the glares he wanted. I would take a page out of his book and walk right past him as if he wasn't there. At least, that was my plan. Apparently, Gio had other ideas.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing?"

I cocked a brow at his growly tone.

"Well, my truck is right there, and I have keys in my hands." I held them up and gave them a jingle. "So, I guess I'm going home."

Atlee and Darry stared like a couple of creeps while Gio crossed his arms.

"Did I give you permission to touch another man?" His eyes dropped down to the arm I had looped in Memphis's.

"You can't be serious?"

"Do I look fucking serious?"

Yes. Yes, he did.

Memphis and I exchanged a look, after which I cocked a brow at Gio. "I don't need your permission."

"You need my permission for everything."

Like hell I did. He could take his permission and shove it right up his ass. Especially when it came to Memphis. He was my best friend. We'd slept in the same bed, ate from the same spoon, and swam naked in the same pool when we were kids. There was no way I was going to stop touching him because Gio said so. Fuck him.

To prove that point, I strutted right past Gio and walked Memphis up to the passenger door, while making sure my arm stayed locked in his until the second he climbed in the truck.

Needless to say, Gio was not impressed, which only increased my mood. I almost smiled at him when I moved to go around to the driver's side. There was nothing like the smell of victory.

"Touch him again and I'll break his arm."

Except, of course, for the scent of defeat.

Gio would follow through. There was no doubt in my mind about that. That didn't mean I was going to just bow down.

"You seem to be forgetting about my boyfriend." I shot Atlee a wink and added, "I touch him all the time."

That probably wasn't the smartest thing to do. I could tell that from the angry way he pushed off his Range Rover and stood up.

"What the fuck did you just say?"

Luckily for me, Atlee also enjoyed pushing his buttons.

He gave me a sly wink and sang, "You have the sweetest lips I've ever tasted."

And just like that, Gio's anger was diverted.

His fist flew through the air, giving me enough time to hop in the truck and start the ignition. I was peeling out of the parking lot before Gio could do much more than yell my name.

I was satisfied with the outcome.

Memphis was not.

"Do you really think antagonizing him is the best choice?"

I won, so yes I did. In fact antagonizing Gio was the only choice.

"It'll be fine." What was he going to do? Choke me? Been there, done that.

"But," Memphis interjected. "Don't have to spend the night with him?"

"That's not until Friday."

And that was a Friday me problem.

"Um, Nova… it is Friday."

Well, shit.