Every muscle in my body coils tight. Crap. I was really, really hoping she’d forget all about that. But I should’ve known better than to think that Jordan Carrington forgets anything, especially when it’s to her advantage.
“All right.” I fake a smile. “So who am I duct-taping to the school doors?”
She rolls her eyes. “Like I’d get an amateur to do my dirty work.” With a wave of her manicured hand, she says, “I think you’re going to like this favor, actually. It requires almost little effort on your part.”
Suspicion trickles down my spine. “What do you want?” I repeat.
Jordan gives me a big, broad smile. “Reed Royal.”
29
Ella
It takes a few seconds for Jordan’s words to sink in. Once they do, I can’t stop a loud burst of laughter. She wants Reed? Um, yeah. Not happening, bitch.
“I’m not sure what that even means, but either way, Reed’s not on the table,” I say cheerfully. “So you should probably come up with something else.”
She cocks a brow. “It’s this or nothing.”
I grin. “Then I pick nothing.”
Jordan laughs at that. Or maybe she’s just laughing at me. “Sorry, did I say nothing? I meant, if you don’t uphold your end of the bargain, then ‘nothing’ is what your social life will be. As in, I’ll tell your father all about how you lied to him about the dance team so you could bang your boyfriend at a hotel. I’m pretty sure you’ll be grounded for life after he finds out.” She bats her eyelashes. “Or maybe he’ll pick up and move you to another state. Actually, maybe I’ll recommend that to him. I’ll even give him some brochures for really good prep schools upstate.”
Damn her. That’s totally something Steve would do, force me to transfer schools. If he finds out I lied about the away game and spent the night with Reed, he’ll lose his shit.
“So,” she says, her smile returning. “Should I tell you the details?”
“What do you want with Reed?” I ask through clenched teeth.
“I want him to take me to Winter Formal.”
My jaw falls open. Is she freaking serious?
Jordan rolls her eyes at my shock. “What? It’s not like you can go with him, unless your dad is suddenly on board with you dating a killer?”
I stare at her. “What happened to your whole speech about you not wanting to be with a killer?”
She shrugs. “I changed my mind.”
“Yeah? And why’s that?” I mutter.
“Because Reed’s star has never shone brighter.” She flips her dark, glossy hair over one shoulder. “When he was first arrested, his social status plummeted, but now he’s all these pathetic chicks can talk about. Unlike your trashy ass, the social hierarchy matters to me.” She shrugs again. “I want to go to the formal with Reed. That’s the favor.”
A disbelieving laugh pops out. “I’m not lending you my boyfriend for a night!”
Frustration darkens her eyes. “He’s a trophy, dumbass. Don’t you get that?”
Reed’s not a trophy! I want to shout. He’s a human being. He’s smart and gorgeous and sweet when he allows himself to drop his tough-guy act. And he’s mine. This girl is insane if she thinks I’m going to say yes to this.
Jordan sighs when she sees my immovable expression. “I’ll tell you what—how about I throw in a spot on the dance team?”
“What the hell does that mean?”
“It means I’m letting you rejoin the team,” she answers in exasperation. “God, are you fucking dense? We both know you didn’t want to quit—you were just being a bitch for no reason. So you can come back if you want.”
I falter. I did really enjoy my time on that stupid team.
“And I won’t even ask for another favor,” she says with an overly bright smile. “All I want is Reed on my arm at Winter Formal.”
That’s all she wants? Gee, she’s asking for so little. Not.
I plant my hands on my hips. “And then what?”
“What do you mean?”
“What happens after the dance? Do you think he’s going to be your boyfriend or something? Because he won’t.”
Jordan snorts. “Who wants a boyfriend who’s going to be in jail for the rest of his life? I want Snowflake Queen. That’s it.”
“Snowflake Queen?” I echo blankly.
“Everyone at Winter Formal votes for a king and queen. Like homecoming.” She flips her hair over her shoulder. “I want to be queen.”
Of course she does.
“I mean, I’m already a lock for it, but going with Reed will seal the deal. A bunch of people are talking about voting for him because they feel sorry for him.”