JADED (Jaded #1)

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER TWO

When I entered Spanish, I saw the normal crowd in the back. Bryce sat, listening to whatever Chad Yerling was saying. A few of the other guys were also listening while some of the girls either gossiped or had perched on the guys’ laps.

Stephanie Hills was perched on Bryce’s table, but not his lap.

As I moved forward and dropped to the empty seat at Bryce’s table, she shot off and scurried away.

Bryce switched his attention to me and leaned closer.

“What were you talking to Corrigan about?”

I shrugged and refused to meet his eyes.

“Wanna skip?” he suggested.

I smiled slowly and asked, “And do what?”

“You know.” His eyes fell to my lips and stayed there. One of his hands rested on my knee and started a slow rhythmic caress.

“Scout,” Chad called loudly.

Bryce ignored him and asked me again, “Now or never. Wanna go?”

I bit my lip, knowing it’d turn him on, but murmured, “You’re in a weird mood today.”

Bryce sighed and leaned back. His hand stayed in place.

“So a no, then?” he asked. Bryce and I had our own language. And we both knew my response was an evade.

I could never say no or yes. Neither could he.

“Scout,” Chad said again, a little huffy now.

I leaned forward and pressed a slow, torturous kiss to Bryce’s lips.

He grasped the back of my head and held me in place as he explored me in return. I’m pretty sure I heard Chad groan in frustration. He’d effectively lost the battle for Bryce’s attention.

“Mr. Scout and Miss Jeneve.”

Our teacher, Mr. Dwellsworth, banged a ruler on his desk.

I tried to pull back, but Bryce finished the kiss, languidly, before he released me.

I was a little relieved to hear Bryce panting right alongside me.

“Mr. Scout and Miss Jeneve!” Our teacher tried again.

“Yeah?” I asked, knowing my voice was hoarse.

“I don’t want the two of you to sit at the same table. Mr. Scout, please switch seats with Miss Veera.”

“Who?” Bryce asked as he stood, relaxed and confident.

A girl in the back, tiny and pissed, stood up as she grabbed her books. She glared as she retorted, “That’s me.” She brushed past him, her red hair smacked him in the face as she dropped into his vacated seat.

Bryce chuckled as he took her seat.

She glanced my way, but hunched her shoulders as she opened her book to read.

“What’s your first name?” I ignored her silent request to be left alone.

She ignored me so I reached out and plucked her book away.

“What’s your name?” I asked again as she paled. I wasn’t one to be ignored—ever.

“Her name is Shelly Veera and you need to leave her alone, Miss Jeneve,” Mr. Dwellsworth said sternly.

When he started his lecture, I leaned forward and whispered, “Why are you all pissy?”

She made a sound like she was in pain, but didn’t reply.

I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned around to see that Chad held out a note for me.

We should’ve skipped.

I looked to Bryce and nodded. I bit my lip again and he coughed.

“Mr. Scout!” The teacher again.

I rolled my eyes and turned eyes front.

“Yes, sir?” Bryce questioned, politely, sarcastically.

Mr. Dwellsworth became red in the face and sputtered, “You continue to disrupt my classroom day after day. I have had enough, Mr. Scout.”

Bryce didn’t say one word.

That was something I’d always been envious about. Bryce had the hot body that could get him into a magazine, but it was the air that surrounded him. The air drew in all the attention. He could muster anyone to do anything for him without a single spoken word.

Sometimes it turned me on and other times it pissed me off.

Today was the former.

I raised my hand and decided to join the foray. “Mr. Dwellsworth.”

You could feel the enraptured tension in the class. All eyes slowly trailed towards me.

“Yes, Miss Jeneve?” Mr. Dwellsworth asked cautiously.

“Bryce didn’t say anything to disrupt your class. He just coughed.”

Mr. Dwellsworth weighed his words, but he responded with forced politeness, “Miss Jeneve, when I ask to debate the decisions of my classroom, you may talk then. Right now, I am the teacher and I will tolerate your disrespect no longer.”

“So are you going to have us leave?” I asked, looking almost bored.

His eyes narrowed as they took in my relaxed state and saw that Bryce mirrored my look. It had been practiced and perfected throughout our lifetime because of unjustly parents who thought they could tell us what to do. Or, at least, that’s what my third shrink told me when I made the not-so-startling revelation that I struggled with authority. It was because my parents were never parents to me. The little they chose to stick around didn’t grant them the right to suddenly turn parent on me for two holidays of the year.

I had liked that shrink, but my parents hadn’t.

“No, Miss Jeneve.” He sighed and shook his head. “No, I am not. Unlike every other adult figure in your life, I’m going to make you learn something. I think, from now on, you and Mr. Scout will be tutored in the library by two of my student aides.”

Shelly gasped beside me and I cast a curious look her way.

And to this, she ducked her head back into her book and tried to ignore everything else. Interesting.

“Are you serious?” Bryce yawned. “We get an hour to ourselves in the library instead of coming here?”

“Trust me,” Mr. Dwellsworth grinned, in all his evils delight that a teacher could muster. “You won’t be enjoying yourselves.”

I didn’t really care what our ‘discipline’ was, but I spoke up, “Are you serious? Just because I spoke up for a friend doesn’t give you the right to suddenly expel us to the library. You have no reason to remove us from this class.”

“Oh, Miss Jeneve.” Mr. Dwellsworth shook his head. “You are not being removed from this class.”

“Shut up, Sheldon,” Bryce murmured. “We get out of here.”

It wasn’t the point.

“You may both leave now, but if you are not in the library when my student aides report there, you will receive detention for the rest of the week.”

Well, it was pretty obvious to everyone what we were going to do. Detention it is!

Bryce stood and waited at the door for me.

I heard Chad starting to laugh just before the door shut behind us.

In the hallway, Bryce asked, “What was that about?”

I shrugged, “I had a point.”

“Whatever. I think he’s getting used to us after two years.” Bryce chuckled. “Wanna skip?”

“That’s what got us into this punishment in the first place.” But we both knew we were going to go.

Bryce shot me one of his melting grins. He tugged me close and rested his forehead against mine. As his lips rested just above mine, he said again, “Let’s go somewhere else.”

“And do what?” I smiled and enjoyed the brush of my lips against his. Bryce transferred my book into his hands and clasped me closer to him. I reached around his neck and brought my body flush against his. Bryce turned and backed me up against a locker. He started to kiss my neck.

“You guys need a room.”

Who else? Only a few would dare...

Corrigan.

Bryce didn’t stop.

“What are you doing out of class?” I asked as I remained in Bryce’s arms and tilted my neck for better access.

Corrigan leaned against the locker beside us and stuffed his hands into his pockets. He looked dejected when he mumbled, “Nothing. I could go for some food.”

If memory served correctly... I teased, “Isn’t Becky Lew in your second period?”

Corrigan rolled his eyes and pushed off from the locker. “You guys coming or not? My treat.”

I sighed and Bryce felt it when he stepped away.

We shared a glance and both turned to follow our best friend. When we got outside, I saw that Corrigan had taken up residence in my car.

“Of course,” I said sarcastically as I took the driver’s seat. “You’re the one who’s up for food, but I’m the one driving.”

Corrigan grinned cheekily at me and remarked, “You like driving stick, Sheldon. We all know it.”

I shared a resigned look in the rear-view mirror with Bryce before he laid down in the backseat.

“No sleeping,” I remarked as I pulled out of the parking lot.

“Yeah. Yeah,” Bryce mumbled back, but Corrigan turned and punched his best friend in the stomach.

Without shock, pause, a reaction, anything—Bryce reached up and slammed Corrigan’s head against his headrest. It happened so quick...this is why we were best friends.

I shook my head, grinned, and pulled out into the street.

“Oomph,” Corrigan breathed.

Bryce laughed and punched Corrigan in the shoulder before he laid back down.

“So what’s up with this impromptu food trip?” I asked, shifting gears.

“No reason. I’m just hungry,” Corrigan murmured, vaguely, as he turned back in his seat. He tapped the dashboard absent-mindedly and reached to change the radio station.

Bryce sat up and our eyes met again, but not in shared lust.

Corrigan was evading my question. Corrigan only evaded when he was upset.

“Right, you’re just hungry,” Bryce murmured sarcastically as he studied his best friend.

“If you wanted food, you would’ve gone to the vending machine,” I added and pulled into my house’s driveway.

“Thought we’d go to a restaurant or something,” Corrigan half-heartedly protested.

I didn’t like restaurants. He knew that.

“Whatever,” I brushed it off as I climbed out and led the way into my kitchen.

Having rich parents had its benefits. When I requested a chef to come in, a chef came in.

I rarely ate so the chef was only requested when Corrigan and Bryce ate through my stock. As they did now—they both attacked the fridge to find some lasagna while I ate grilled chicken.

We all headed for the media room and I curled on the couch as the guys sat on each end and inhaled their food.

After Corrigan got up for more, I leaned forward and punched Bryce on the arm.

“What?” he asked as he cradled his arm.

“You start it.”

We both knew what I meant.

A pained look crossed his face. “Oh, come on. You’re the girl. Be girly.”

I punched him again.

“Ow! That one hurt.”

“Bryce,” I warned.

“Fine. Alright, just stop hitting me.”

I raised my fist again, but Bryce caught it and hauled me onto his lap.

He grinned in satisfaction as he leaned back against the couch. Both of his hands moved to my hips and he held me in place when I moved to slide off.

“This will be more enjoyable if you stay exactly where you are.”

Hearing the microwave door open and shut, I leaned forward, kissed Bryce quickly and twisted his n****e.

“Ow! That hurt too,” Bryce cried out.

I slid off his lap and kicked him for good measure.

Corrigan returned and started to eat his second helping when Bryce groaned and spoke up, “Alright, man. What’s up?”

Corrigan froze mid-chew and looked us over.

He finished chewing, swallowed, and slowly settled back against the couch. He kept his plate on his lap.

Bryce looked at me with raised eyebrows, but I watched Corrigan instead.

Finally, Corrigan spoke up, “Alright...you should know...I’m moving.”

“What?” I sat up and asked in shock.

Bryce’s eyes widened—a feat that I’d never seen before, but he didn’t say anything.

Corrigan watched us another moment and then threw his head back in a laugh.

“I’m so joking, you guys. God—look at you.” He kept laughing until Bryce punched him in the shoulder.

“Ow!” he yelped and moved away. Corrigan shook his head and continued eating in between laughs. “Seriously. You guys looked like I’d died or something. That was hilarious.”

“Not funny.” I glared.

“It was funny.” Corrigan chuckled as he finished the rest of his food. When Bryce and I continued to stare at him, he threw his hands in the air, “Come on, guys! Seriously! You don’t want to go there.”

“What is wrong with you?” Bryce asked, more curious.

“Nothing’s wrong with me. Why do you automatically assume something’s wrong?”

“Because we were making out and you interrupted. You never interrupt us,” I spelled it out. That was my first clue anyway.

“If you want to make out right now, don’t hold back. I have no problem with it.” Corrigan flashed his charming grin again.

I blinked, stunned at how slippery he could be. Then I said, “No. Tell us.”

He glanced at Bryce for a second and shook his head again. “Seriously. Nothing’s wrong.”

He didn’t want to share and it was starting to become more work than it deserved. I rolled my eyes and asked, “How do you know Steele’s sister? What’s her name?”

Bryce glanced to him and asked, “You already know her?”

Corrigan stiffened, but answered, “Her name is Mena and yes, I’ve met her. It didn’t go so well.”

“What happened?” Bryce flashed a grin. “You hit on her, but shagged her best friend.”

Classic Corrigan and as his jaw tightened, Bryce had hit the bulls-eye.

“Oh come on, Corrigan. How are you expecting to make a better impression over that?” I laughed.

The charm was back when he replied, “I’ve got a few tricks.”

I narrowed my eyes and then rolled my eyes. Corrigan was in one of his moods and I lacked the energy to play his game.

Bryce studied for a moment longer and then decided the same as me. Corrigan would do what he always did.

“Come on. I’m ready to go back. How about you two?” Corrigan stood up and waited.

I did have three cars at my beck and call. Mine, plus my parent’s. They didn’t need them in Europe or wherever they were.

Bryce watched me. I turned to him and we both shared a wolfish grin.

I dug my keys out and chucked them to Corrigan.

“Crash her and you pay for her,” I warned and he sent a suggestive leer at us before he jiggled the keys.

“Thanks, Sheldon. Feel free to tape it so I can watch later,” Corrigan called over his shoulder as he jogged up the stairs and out the door.

Bryce watched me, trying to gauge me.

He always did this too.

Sighing, I uncurled my legs and stood. As I stretched gracefully, Bryce enjoyed the show with a half-grin curling at his mouth. I bent forward, holding his gaze intently, and reached for his plate. I grabbed my own and then traipsed up the stairs.

Bryce followed as I placed the dishes in the sink and proceeded upstairs to my room.

I left the door open and fell on my bed as Bryce followed inside.

“When are your parents coming back?” he asked as he pulled his shirt off. My eyes traveled over his muscular chest and stomach.

“They’re in Italy and won’t be home until Thanksgiving,” I murmured, huskily, as I knelt on the bed. “Between you and me, I don’t even think they’ll be back by then.”

Bryce left the door open since my room could get stuffy and moved closer to me.

“You told me they’d be back this weekend. I remember,” Bryce stepped closer and closed his eyes when I slid my hand down his chest. I hooked a finger on the inside of his pants and he said hoarsely, “Because that was your excuse for my party on Friday.”

I unsnapped the front button and slid the zipper down.

I pulled him down on top of me and whispered, closing my eyes as his hand started his own exploration, “Maybe I just didn’t want to go and see you hit on all those other girls.”

“Baby.” Bryce rolled me underneath him and propped himself up on one elbow.

I opened my eyes and held his sapphire ones.

He bent forward and pressed a kiss to my jaw when he murmured, soothingly, “You’re always my first choice. You know that, don’t you?”

In truth, I hadn’t gone because we’d had a ‘near emotion’ event that day. That’s what Corrigan called them when I witnessed a cheerleader pawing the front of Bryce’s pants that afternoon. Bryce hadn’t known I was around, but my jaw clenched and I turned away.

Corrigan had shaken his head when I left down the opposite hallway and out the door.

The sight of a girl mauling Bryce wasn’t anything new, but the sight of Bryce enjoying it had cut deeper than I wanted to acknowledge. I begged off the party and my excuse had been weak. At the time, Bryce registered the feeble excuse with a flicker in his eyes, but he hadn’t said anything.

I entwined a hand around the back of his neck and pulled his head to mine. Against his lips, I whispered, as I twisted one of my legs over his, “I better damn well be.”

Bryce smirked once before he captured my lips with his and his full weight fell on me.

Moments later, both of us were panting as the rest of our clothes followed to the floor and Bryce gasped, “Condom.”

“Usual place,” I whispered against his skin as I stayed wrapped around him.

Bryce groaned and I pressed against him.

We hadn’t been together all weekend.

“Baby,” he grunted. “I have to go. Condom, now.”

The haze disappeared enough for me to remember the importance of that little piece of rubber and I let go. Bryce was off the bed in a flash and he grabbed a condom from my dresser drawer. He met my lips when he returned and it didn’t take long before the condom was applied and Bryce rolled me underneath once more.

He slid in and both of us groaned in pleasure.

As the tempo sped up, slowly, Bryce continued to kiss just underneath my ear. It was one of my spots that he’d discovered early on.

I tilted my head back, ran a hand down his back, and moved to meet his lips with mine.

I knew that was something he liked.

He groaned into my mouth and increased his thrusts.

After awhile, both of us just held on as we climaxed together and our bodies shuddered. We stayed put, wrapped around each other with Bryce still inside of me until our bodies had stopped convulsing.

I sunk down onto my pillow and nearly purred when Bryce ran a hand down the side of my body, from my shoulder to my knee. It was soothing and I rolled to allow him to move to the other side of my body.

Chuckling, Bryce pulled out and pressed a kiss to my hipbone as his fingers finished their exploration of my body.

He moved to the side and pulled my bedcovers over both of us before he turned and wrapped an arm around me, spooning from behind.

I yawned, feeling contented, when I glimpsed the clock.

12:45.

“We should go back for the rest of the afternoon,” I murmured, tiredly.

Bryce chuckled into my ear and asked, “What for? We’ll just get reamed out by the principal.”

“So what? We should stay in bed all day?”

“Why not?” He propped himself on an elbow and looked down on me as I fell to my back. He smiled and murmured, “It wouldn’t be the first time.”

“Because you have soccer practice in three hours,” I pointed out. “If you’re not in school, you can’t play.”

A shadow of weariness passed over him as he sat up and moved to the edge of the bed.

“What?” I asked and sat up.

Bryce shook his head and reached for his pants.

“What?” I repeated and reached for my own.

“Nothing,” he clipped out and moved to the shower. When I heard the water running, I dropped my clothes and crossed to the bathroom doorway.

I could see Bryce in the shower and his eyes found mine through the translucent glass shower door.

He finished and stepped out a moment later.

He moved aside and was dressed when I finished my own shower.

Bryce sat on my bed and waited for me to finish dressing.

Finally, I asked when I put my hairdryer away, “What is it?”

“Nothing. Are you done?” He stood and grabbed a set of car keys on my nightstand. He knew I kept keys to all three cars on any set. I always kept an extra set in my bedroom, one in my purse, and another set in my pockets.

“Are you mad?” Even as I asked it, I felt my chest tighten a little. This was encroaching onto a conversation I didn’t want to have, but I’d already asked.

“I don’t want to fight so let’s just...” he waved towards the door. “Let’s go.”

“What fight? Did I say something to offend you? Is this about soccer practice?” I felt myself cringing with each question. Seriously. I feel like I had lost control of my mouth. I couldn’t stop asking questions. I was annoying myself.

Bryce opened his mouth, but no sound came out. He closed it and turned towards the hallway.

I followed behind and neither of us questioned it when Bryce drove us to school in my mom’s Chrysler.