Beautiful Mess(32)

“A redhead, huh? I hear they are, um, feisty!”

“In the best way!”

“So, which one did you choose?” The eagerness in the other guys voice was unmistakable.

“Who said I had to choose?”

“You dog!” the other guy whooped. “Dang, man, cousins! Locals?”

“Nope, tourists.”

“You lucky SOB! All the fun and no commitment! You’re livin’ the dream, man!”

There was a pit forming in Bri’s stomach. The Cole she knew didn’t act like this. She quickly thought back through their time together, and not once did he act like the cocky jackass he was being now. Was this who he really was? Was their whole friendship that summer a ruse? Through her shock, anger began to rise.

“Speaking of redheads... have you seen the new girl?”

“No, not yet,” Cole replied. “Hot?”

“Oh, yeah! And, damn, has she got a rack on her! You can just tell she’s a little firecracker when she wants to be. But she’s also got this whole sweet and innocent vibe going on... Ahhh, it’s driving me crazy!”

Just then, the warning bell rang, and Bri heard a locker slam shut. She quickly grabbed her things, not wanting to get caught eavesdropping. Sure enough, she had just shut her locker and turned, when she heard the boys turn down the hall after her.

“Look, that’s her,” Other Guy said loudly. “Mmm, just look at the ass on that! What’d I tell you?”

“You do know she can probably hear you, right?” Cole quipped.

“Girls dig this stuff. That’s right, Red,” he called down the hall to Bri. “I’m watching you walk, and I like what I see!” Bri’s shoulders stiffened, but she didn’t bother dignifying that with a response. “You see,” Other Guy said to Cole, “you have to make it clear that you’re interested. Chicks like that, it makes them feel special or something. I’m here whenever you’re ready, Red!”

Unable to contain her anger and disdain any longer, Bri turned and leveled the meanest glare she could at Cole, who looked a little confused by her animosity. His eyes flickered back to her locker, and understanding dawned. As he realized that she’d probably heard everything he’d said at his locker, all color drained from his face.

Satisfied, she then turned her glare on the pig next to Cole. She recognized Other Guy from her French class. Not the least deterred, the asshat laughed, elbowing Cole. Cole’s features instantly smoothed into amusement.

“Mmm, feisty,” the guy relished.

Cole chuckled and slapped his friend on the back. “Yeah, good luck with that one! I’m outta here.” He took off in the opposite direction, without another glance.

Bri hurried down the hall and slipped into her English class just as the bell rang. She didn’t hear a thing her teacher said, as she explained the class syllabus and reading lists. Bri’s heart was pounding too loudly, and her head was swimming.

What the heck had just happened? Cole was talking and acting just like every other arrogant, self-absorbed jock with a god complex. How was it possible that this was the same person? There wasn’t a trace of the smart, funny, caring boy she’d spent the summer with. This was not the person she’d fallen for.

Realization struck her, and it sucked the breath right out of her. It was all a lie. It had all been an act. Every word, every action, had just been a ploy to get close to her, to get what he wanted from her. He was just like all the rest of the guys out there, only interested in one thing. Cole was not who she thought he was.

Her stomach churned, and she was afraid she was going to cry, or throw up, or both.

After class was over, she sprinted to the girls’ bathroom, where she sat, trying not to hyperventilate, in one of the stalls. All her illusions came crashing down around her, and her heart lurched in her chest. But she refused to let Cole hurt her like this. She wouldn’t allow her heart to break over someone as undeserving as him. She sat for a few more minutes, bringing her breath and emotions back under control. She heard the warning bell ring. She was going to be late for class. History... with Cole. She wasn’t sure she could handle class with him right now, but she’d be damned if she was going to let him see he’d hurt her. Because he hadn’t. Her resolve set, she left the restroom, but not before a lone tear slipped down her cheek. Dang it. She wiped it furiously away.

Squaring her shoulders, Bri walked in the door to History, and her traitorous eyes immediately found Cole. And wouldn’t you know it, sitting right next to him was the Pig himself. Of course the besties would have this class together, with her. Yes, the scheduling gods really did hate her.