Red Thorns (Thorns Duet #1) by Rina Kent

Besides, I see her every day and that could turn too awkward too quickly if we talk face-to-face.

Akira was the one person I could slowly open up to and even talk to about porn and stuff. He didn’t see me and couldn’t judge me.

Or so I thought.

Obviously, he could judge me well enough through a letter and be a major asshole, unlike what he said he wasn’t in the first letter I got from him.

But for some reason, it didn’t make me only mad, I was also…relieved. For a while now, it really felt as if I was the only one who was talking in our interactions. They felt stilled, almost…as if I was trying so hard to keep it alive.

Maybe that’s why I pulled that move and told him about my screwed-up fantasy. I wanted to provoke a reaction out of him.

Well, I got it.

A very rude one at that. But it still counts.

I want to tell him to go fuck himself for kink-shaming others, but I haven’t cooled down enough to articulate it in words.

Lucy and I head into class after lunch as she gushes about a party Owen is having soon and tries to convince me to go. If Sebastian will be there, maybe I will.

I don’t know if it’s only because of him, but I don’t feel so asocial lately. Even if I do still need my small bubble.

The football team is having a meeting with their coach now, and that sucks because I didn’t get a chance to see Sebastian today.

That could be part of my sour mood.

We usually sit together, whether with the football team and the cheer squad or alone—or more like, he sits me on his lap, oblivious to everyone whispering and throwing jabs at us. And I love that about him, the fact that he lets no one penetrate his armor.

Having meals and talking about politics, law, manga, and anime has become normal. Our time together is something I look forward to every day.

Sometimes, he suddenly appears in my house whenever Mom isn’t there and either ravishes me or just sits down and watches serial killers with me.

He says it’s entertaining, watching me engrossed in those shows.

Lucy changes the subject to a Spanish series she’s bingeing on Netflix, but she lacks her usual energy. If I wasn’t paranoid about the whole thing with Akira, I’d be sure she’s also drifting away.

When we’re just outside of our next class, Josh, a guy on the football team, slides in front of us, blocking our path.

He has a tall build, but it isn’t buff. His features have this foxy look and when he grins, they become even foxier.

“What?” I go straight to the defensive. We may sit together at lunch, but we’re not close by any means. In fact, he joins in on the snickering and snide remarks by Brianna and the others.

“Come on, Naomi. We’re friends.”

“What’s my favorite color?”

“Black.”

“It’s navy blue. How can you be my friend if you don’t even know my favorite color?”

“You act as if Captain knows, too.” He scoffs, laughing at his own joke.

That might be true, but it’s not like Sebastian and I have any sort of relationship or anything.

All I ever connect to is the beast inside him, really.

So no, I’m not actually hurt that Josh is right and Sebastian doesn’t even know my favorite color.

I place a hand to my hip. “Do you have a point?”

“Save me a piece when he’s done with you.”

“Josh…” Lucy trails off on a reprimand, her gaze flitting between the two of us.

“Come on, we all know it’s all a lie.” He sizes me up in a sleazy kind of way that makes my skin crawl.

My best friend’s face contorts and she looks like when she used to have her intense periods that left her feeling crippled.

Or when she saw Prescott making out with a sophomore the other day.

I place a hand on my hips. “What is that supposed to mean?”

“You’re so stupid, you don’t even realize it.” Josh shakes his head slowly. “Or maybe you’re blinded.”

“Off you go, Josh.”

Our attention turns to Reina, who waltzes to the middle of our small group with her imaginary queen bee crown on top of her head.

She’s wearing a stunning pink leather skirt and a peachy-colored top with lace sleeves. Her knee-high boots give her a sophisticated edge only she can pull off.

Josh throws his hands in the air with a surrendering gesture. “I’m just counting the hours.”

“Go,” she repeats, adding a subtle motion with her chin.

He shrugs and wets his lips. “I want to be next.”

And with that, he heads down the hall.

Lucy releases an audible breath while she stares at Reina as if searching for her holy approval.

Our captain’s attention is on me as she says, “Go first, Lucy. I need a word with Naomi.”

“No, thanks.” I flip my hair back. “We’re not exactly besties and last time I checked, we don’t have alone time.”

My friend, however, smiles. “Just cool down, Nao. I’ll be inside.”

She’s my bestie and I love her, but she needs to drop the pacifying manner where everyone needs to come out as the winner.

Once it’s only Reina and me, it’s like the walls are slowly closing in on me. Still, I summon my bravado. “What now? Are you going to threaten to kick me off the team?”