Chapter 10

CHAPTER 10

Chase

I've never been so excited to do homework in my life.

" I just called it quits with Taya," Baylor says, as he joins our circle. "She wasn't too happy about it."

I look across the parking lot at the girls: Cassie and her two bitchy sidekicks. They're all huddled in a circle, looking in full gossip mode. Taya no doubt telling the other two about her breakup. Serves her right. Baylor wasn't happy with the way the girls acted either. I think we all got to see their true colors, and none of us liked the shade of mean they were all wearing.

"‘Bout time," I say. "That girl was a drain on your personality every time we all hung out." Taya nagged Baylor about everything. If a girl even looked in Baylor's direction, she'd accuse him of flirting with her. He spent so much time focused on making her secure that it became a drag having her out with us. But now I'm seeing that my friends felt the same about Cassie and me.

"Yeah, I should've ended things sooner." Baylor nods. "But the girl knew how to drain me dry, if you know what I mean."

Ryeson shakes his head. "You guys should try finding someone that you actually have fun with to suck your dick and quit wasting time on these shallow bitches."

He's right about that. All these years, I've been looking in all the wrong places. When hiding right under a book is the sexiest girl I've ever seen. Ruby was dressed in her baggy rags today, but I know exactly what she's got hiding underneath, and I also know that hidden under all that shyness is a girl who's desperate for some physical attention. She told me to come over in an hour for tutoring, but I think I'm showing up to her place early. I can't wait to be alone with her. See if I can uncover more about the mysterious little cutie.

"But you guys are the ones I have fun with," Baylor says. "If I could only find a girl like you, I'd have the perfect life." He turns to his buddy with a smirk on his face. "You want to suck my dick, Rye?" His brow wiggles in jest, and I bust out laughing, but Ryeson isn't amused.

"You ready to go, fucker?" Rye points him with a look. He turns, tipping his head at me. "Later, man."

Baylor chuckles, shaking his head as he watches him walk away.

"Damn, he's testy. All right, gotta catch my ride. I'll see you tomorrow."

I watch Bay follow after an annoyed Ryeson. I think he's getting tired of being the brunt of Baylor's jokes. He needs to lighten up. It's all just fun and games.

"I heard about what happened on Friday night, Chase." I turn to the sound of Cassie's grating voice, cracking my neck. "You think what I did to Ruby in the cafeteria was cruel, but making a fool out of her in front of everyone at your party was way worse. Looks like we're not that different after all."

My knuckles grow as tight as my jaw. I step into her space, staring down into her rotten face. I really don't know what I ever saw in her. I'm not sure how I ever looked past all her bullshit. The constant nit-picking. The constant arguing. Definitely a dumb jock move on my part. But Ruby has smartened me up. Taught me that I actually want depth and smarts to go along with the chemistry.

"Two things, Cassie. What happened between me and Ruby at my party was the hottest sexual experience of my life. It wasn't a prank, and no one looked like a fool except for your bitchy friends. Second thing." I stare her down further. "We are nothing alike. You get off on putting people down, and this ‘dumb jock' put up with it for way too fucking long. Now, like I've already said, I want you to stay away from me and my girl. And make sure you keep your little dogs over there on leashes too. You three stay in your corner and we won't have a problem, but if you make any waves, I'll be making sure you truly feel everything you did to Ruby."

I turn back to my car. That was my very last warning. And all I can say is she better retreat to her corner fast because I don't have a scrap of tolerance left for the girl. It's still to be determined whether I even let her come to the prom. I have an entire football team who can make sure she doesn't get to enter the venue. On the other hand, I kind of want to see her face when my Ruby is announced the prom queen. What an epic moment that will be.