Page 26 of Disobedient Pawn

“Better than. So, what’s happening, beautiful people? Don’t we all look like little fucking rays of sunshine.”

“Nope, not happening. You need to go,” Ren said before I could even open my mouth, and it warmed my heart to see the shocked expression on his face.

But then he pulled out his superpower. I didn’t know if Blake knew he had the skill and exploited it or if he didn’t, but his face turned into the perfect, sad pout. Even I wanted to say aww, at the fake tears that filled his eyes. Fuck me, he was like a sad puppy, and no girl on this planet could resist that face.

“But I just want to have my coffee with you guys. I’ll be quiet,” Blake offered and sipped his coffee. “Um…you do know you’re all wet, right? It looks like someone had a wet shit all over the front of you.” Ren glared daggers at Blake, which made me stupidly happy.

I snickered at the comment but sobered as Ren stood. “No, I hadn’t noticed the sopping wet shirt and jacket I’m wearing. Thanks so much for pointing it out. I’m not sure how I would’ve gotten through my day without you pointing it out or that descriptive visual in my head.”

“Wow. Chill. I just wanted to know if you knew.” Blake lifted his hands like he was warding off an attack.

“Well, now you know the answer.” Her eyes reminded me of a cold winter day when they found mine. “Since you have the competition tonight, we’ll reschedule for Monday and meet in the library instead. I’ll let you know a time.”

I grabbed her arm as she reached my side and loved that she shivered from my touch. “But what about right now?”

“I don’t need to tutor Blake, and there is something I need to go do. You’ve lasted this long in the class without being booted out, so I’m sure a few more days won’t make a difference.” She looked at my hand, and even though I knew it was a mistake, I couldn’t stop myself from giving her arm a hard tug. I loved her little scream as she fell toward me.

Between the momentum and my guiding her, she landed perfectly in my lap, making me groan. Her arm went around my neck, and she felt incredible pressed up against me. Damn, she was worth pissing off Coach. If she wanted, I’d take her right here on the table, take the expulsion, and do it again.

Ren’s shocked expression shifted smoothly into a smile, her eyes batting at me, and the same strange tug pulled in my gut. I should’ve known something was coming, but I didn’t. I was too caught up in the fact that her lips were inches from mine, and she smelled like the sweet lilies and cherry blossoms in my family's garden back home. Those silver eyes captured me as firm as any fist.

My semi-hard-on from picturing her bent over Willis’s desk was now at full attention, but if she noticed, she didn’t say.

Instead, she gasped loudly as if shocked. “Myles, for the last time, I don’t want to see you suck Blake’s cock!” She yelled, and everyone resting sat up like a fucking dinner bell had rung.

I could feel Blake’s shocked eyes on my face as I stared wide-eyed at Ren. “What?”

In retrospect, that was the stupidest thing I could’ve said, but she took me completely by surprise.

“You heard me, Myles. Stop asking if I’ll watch and film you guys. I have no interest in being a porno videographer. You boys have fun, though. I’m sure you’ll find someone to help you” She smiled wide, pushing herself up from my lap, and marched away.

“What the fuck just happened,” Blake asked.

I took in the stares that were still waiting for a response. “Mind your own fucking business,” I barked out. Everyone acted like they hadn’t heard a thing, the room getting as loud as possible for two dozen people pretending they weren’t watching the show.

“She just made asses out of us, is what happened.” I shifted in my seat. I could still feel her sitting in my lap, and a stupid smile pulled at the corner of my lips. “Fuck. Dude, I really like her.”

Blake rolled his eyes at me before laughing. “You would, but I don’t think you have a chance, my friend.” Blake looked over his shoulder to the door that Ren had disappeared through. “She’s not like the other girls we go after.”

“You saying I’m not good enough?”

Blake smiled and reached out to steal the rest of Ren’s half-eaten muffin. “I’m saying that there is a good chance none of us are.” He shrugged. “I don’t think any of us are winning this bet. If I was you, I’d find another one to really like.”

“Giving up so easily. Doesn’t seem like you, but I’ll happily take the win if you’re going to bow out of the bet. One less of you assholes to deal with.”

“You’re a sucker for punishment, my friend,” Blake said as we stood. “Cause if we keep at this game, there is a one in three chance that you’re going to lose. Are you willing to take those odds? Because I’m pretty sure thatI’ll be the one to win.” Blake smiled, his eyes smug.

“Over me dead body.” I wanted Ren, that was all there was to it, and I was going to find a way to make that happen, one way or another.

NOVEMBER 5 – FRIDAY 7:45 AM

Ren

There was nothing quite like washing your blouse in the school’s bathroom sink while people walked in and out and stared at you. I could almost hear them calling me Freak, even though no one said it out loud. No matter how much I scrubbed, I couldn’t get the stain out, but it was better. Luckily, the jacket was such a dark navy blue that the coffee barely showed. It hung on a bathroom stall door to dry while I held the shirt under the dryer.

I heard the door open again but didn’t pay attention until Vicky’s annoying laugh made me internally groan like she was running her nails down a chalkboard. I didn’t bother turning around or acknowledging her as I continued to dry my shirt.

“Don’t you just hate poor people,” Vicky said, and I rolled my eyes at the wall. I wasn’t poor. I might not be a billionaire, but what did it matter anyway? How much money you have shouldn’t be a measure of your social standing. A sink turned on, and I bristled at the thought of them throwing water at me.