Page 39 of Revenge Reads Better

Seems I’m destined to see Milo everywhere now.

Across the street.

In class.

At the diner.

Looks like there’s no outrunning him.

“Great. It’s a date.” He beams. “See you later, Max.”

Milo slings his backpack over one shoulder before casually brushing the back of his hand across the small of my back as he walks past. It’s light. Barely there. But every nerve ending in my body seems to notice. By the time I remember how words work again, he’s already halfway out the door.

It takes me another minute to gather up my things and follow suit. Unfortunately, I don’t make it very far. Peyton, Jordan, Delaney, and Brooke are waiting just outside the classroom, blocking my way.

“Excuse me,” I say, trying to step around them.

“Not so fast.” Peyton plants a finger against my chest. I swat it away, but she doesn’t so much as blink. “The girls tell me you’re Milo’s new lab partner.”

“And that concerns you… why?”

“Because I don’t want him associated with trash.” She says it so matter-of-factly, it’s almost impressive if it weren’t so goddamn insulting. “Especially at school,” she adds. “He has a reputation to maintain.”

“And somehow standing next to you improves it?” An ugly smile forms at my lips.

“Immensely. Much more than everyone knowing he’s chumming it up in class with the likes of you.”

“I’d argue being associated with the leader of a cult does a lot more damage than being lab partners with little ol’ me.”

“The Fairhope Reds are not a cult,” Jordan snaps. “We’re a club. A very exclusive club,” she adds, tossing her red hair over her shoulder.

I look between the four of them and wonder if they all share the same brain cell.

“This is Fairhope.” I gesture toward the hallway. “Our biggest tourist attraction is an apple orchard. Nothing about this town screams elite.” I laugh.

Brooke blinks at me, visibly stunned. “Are you making fun of us?”

“Oh, no.” I clutch a hand to my chest for dramatic effect. “Whatever gave you that idea?”

Delaney doesn’t appreciate sarcasm nearly as much as I do, because before I can react, she shoves me backward, causing my shoulders to slam against the lockers with a metallic bang.

“The hell is wrong with you?” I snap when pain blooms across my back.

“Sometimes when words don’t work,” Delaney says with a smile, slow and ugly just like Peyton’s, “actions do.” A chill crawls across my skin at the sinister glint in her eyes.

“As I was saying,” Peyton continues calmly as if her goon didn’t just manhandle me, “Milo won’t be your lab partner anymore.” She then nods toward Jordan. “When you get to your next biology class, you’ll switch with Jordan.”

It isn’t a request. It’s an order.

“So you’re crazy.” I bark out a laugh. “Right? Like, barking mad, lock-me-up-in-an-asylum insane.”

“I prefer decisive,” Peyton replies. “Either way, you will switch. Understand?”

“That isn’t happening,” I rebuke, my stare never wavering from hers.

Fuck her and her intimidation. Who the hell does she think she is?

I’m about to say as much when Brooke steps forward, putting herself between me and the other girls. “What’s the big deal? Can’t you see Peyton just doesn’t like you hanging around her brother?”