Red Thorns (Thorns Duet #1) by Rina Kent

My cheeks flame as images of what we did rush back in. “You saw that?”

She nods. “He looks like a good kisser.”

“Mom!”

“Fine…fine. I won’t tease you about your first boyfriend.”

“I had Barry from middle school.”

“The one you dumped because he didn’t like anime and manga?”

“Barry made fun of me for reading manga.”

“Sebastian doesn’t?”

“No.” I kick an imaginary rock. “He…even thinks my sketches are cool.”

“That’s because he has a good eye.”

“Thanks,” I say awkwardly, lowering my head as I make my way to the door.

“Nao-chan?” she calls after me in an affectionate tone that she hasn’t used since I was young.

I stare at her over my shoulder. “Yeah?”

“Come home early. I need to tell you something.”

I pause at the vulnerability in her voice and the way she grabs the cigarette pack and fingers it, but then I whisper, “Okay.”

I’ve been wanting her to talk to me for a long time, but why do I have a feeling that this might not be what I bargained for?

At all.





29





Naomi





I’m still thinking about the weird encounter with those two men during my morning classes.

It’s impossible not to, considering all the facts that line up.

They knew Mom’s old name.

They’re Japanese.

They drive a black van.

Oh, and one of them was so pleased to meet me that he called me a different name altogether.

I hope I’m just being paranoid and that whatever Mom will tell me doesn’t have anything to do with them.

The moment I dismiss any thoughts of them, they rush back in. Especially Ren.

There’s something about Ren.

But what?

“Nao! Are you listening?” Lucy waves a hand in front of my face.

“Oh, sorry.” I grimace as I shove my books into my bag after the professor leaves. I’m ready to get to lunch and lose myself in Sebastian. “What did you say?”

Lucy rolls her eyes. “I was asking if you were too busy boning to answer my text.”

“Luce!” I cast a glance at our surroundings before I murmur, “Who even says boning anymore?”

“I do. Besides, everyone knows you and Sebastian are…a thing.”

“We’re not a thing.”

“What are you then?”

I weigh my words as we step out of the lecture hall. Really, what are we? Mom called him my boyfriend and Lucy implied we’re a thing. Is that what we are? A couple?

We might not have started under traditional circumstances, but we started. We’re…there. Or here, or whatever.

Our relationship is no longer only sexual. Maybe it has never been only sexual from the beginning.

“We’re just us,” I tell Lucy with a grin.

“Nao…” she trails off, then clears her throat. “Maybe you shouldn’t get too comfortable in Sebastian’s company.”

“Why?”

“Well…he’s a Weaver and the quarterback, and all of that comes with attention.”

“I’m fine.” So far.

“Are you sure? Because he’s popular and has that whole limelight thing you hate so much.”

“Oh, come on, Luce. Spare me the hypocrisy. I hate Reina and her mean girls, but I didn’t ask you to not be comfortable in their company. I never whined about how you spend most of your time at her house, playing dress-up and worshipping the goddess of beauty to keep you forever young. I respected your choice, so please respect mine.”

“You’re right.” She gulps. “I was out of line. I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. I didn’t mean to be bitchy.”

“I’m just worried about you, Nao. I’ve never seen you this lost in a man before. I thought it was just a crush, but it’s turning into something a lot deeper than that.”

“Don’t worry, it’s just a crush.” With depraved sex. But I spare Lucy the details.

My phone vibrates and I smile when I see his name.

Sebastian: I’m running late because of Coach. Wait for me before you start eating.

Sebastian: I have something of yours.

He attaches a picture of his veiny hand holding a bottle of apple juice.

I grin like an idiot as I type.

Naomi: I had juice this morning.

Sebastian: Not my special type. Prepare that mouth for me.

Naomi: Stop it.

Sebastian: I was talking about the juice. Where did your mind go, baby?

My cheeks catch fire as I shove the phone back in my pocket and listen to Lucy talking about our upcoming exams. There’s still a big game for the Black Devils this Friday, so we’ll lose an entire evening—and the days leading up to it.

Scoffs and groans echo in the air as Lucy and I approach the table where the cheer squad and the football players sit.

My guess is that it’s more about me rather than my best friend, who awkwardly sits down.

I join her, too, pretending to be oblivious to the animosity as I swing my bag to my side.

They wouldn’t be this obvious about it if Sebastian was sitting me on his lap. Lucy said whenever anyone attacks me, he’ll level them with a look from behind my back and it’s enough to shut them up.