Twisted Lies by Nora Cobb
Chapter 10
Astrid
Well, with stupid, wild, and dangerous fun comes payback. Before class has ended, gossip is passed around the room in well-concealed notes. Dr. Rawlins has threatened to expel Wyatt and Pierce for fighting. But of course, Pierce’s father is expected to meet with her, and Wyatt’s mother is rumored to attend. Shamelessly, I want to see her. I want to see if she’s the woman in the photo in his bookcase. She would be a little older but probably still gorgeous. Maybe a little sadder without his dad. I wonder if she’ll argue fiercely or dab her eyes while pleading for mercy for her son. Perhaps his uncle will show up too and represent his nephew. In the end, Stonehaven will probably accept a donation and place them both on probation. At Monarch, they would be back the next day in school to fight again.
After classes, I look for Justin in the faculty building, and he’s wiping dust carefully off the frames with a white cloth. He barely looks at the door when I enter.
I’m still beaming over the fight as if it were a personal gift just for me. It’s all I want to talk about, but I don’t dare mention it when I see the scowl etched deeply on Justin’s face.
“Are you okay?” I ask, tilting my head to the side.
He glares at the cloth. “I don’t need Wyatt to fight my battles.” The tone in his voice is ragged and harsh. He might not get over what happened.
I brace myself for some raw emotions. “I think Wyatt was fighting his own battle.”
“I should’ve been in the yard with Pierce, not Wyatt,” Justin stares hard at his cotton rag. “That’s what everyone thinks.”
I try to smile encouragingly though I don’t feel the sentiment. “I didn’t think that at all, Justin.”
“Don’t be kind.” His intense gaze strikes me hard. “You don’t do pity well.”
The truth knocks me off balance as my lips part, and my mind whirls around his on-target judgment. I know how Justin feels, plus he’s right. I’m crap at expressing sympathy and offering comfort in kind, soft words. I pick at the hem of my team jacket as my brain hunts for the right thing to say. Anything that doesn’t make him feel worse.
“I know how you feel,” I whisper, “I hate pity too. But I didn’t say it because of that.”
“Then why did you say it?” he asks, checking his tone.
“Because I don’t want you to feel bad over it,” I explain, “Remember what we did? And we haven’t gotten caught. You have balls and a cool head to sneak around like that.”
“Thanks.” Justin smiles weakly. “There are more important things to make me feel like shit. I guess this one’s a minor item on a long list.”
I frown. “I didn’t mean that either.”
He tosses the rag in the trash bucket near the door. “I’ve wallowed enough for today. And I’m sure you didn’t come looking for me to watch me have angst.”
I swallow, phrasing what I want indirectly. “I still have the laptop.”
Justin smiles wider, pleased that something is going right. “Of course. Does anyone know you still have it?”
“Only you,” I reply, “I’ve been careful. Should I hold onto it?”
Frowning, he nods. “I’m sure someone suspects you have it, but keep it safe for now.”
I step closer and soften my voice. “So, now that I’m part of the club, will you teach me how to read the spreadsheets?”
Justin smiles. “What do I get out of it?”
I try not to wince and keep my face as blank as I physically can. Justin isn’t wasting time now that his sweet words lured me in. But I still need him for my plan. The trouble is he doesn’t seem as willing now.
I smile softly and lower my voice again. “You’ll piss off Pierce when he finds out I know how the Pit works on paper.”
“I can piss off Pierce on my own,” he snaps.
I don’t retreat—not when I’m this close. “You could teach me while I pose for you.”
Justin eyes me coolly. “A lot of girls want to pose for me.”
I brush my finger along his hand. “True, but they’re not me.”
Justin’s harsh gaze softens as he leans in and places a soft kiss on my cheek. His nose rubs the side of my jaw like a kitten cuddling close, and his warm breath plays across my skin. He’s so gentle, and the difference from the other boys holds my attention. He’s no longer the immature jerk in the bathroom, pulling a crude stunt. A spark of curiosity travels through me, and I’m tempted to see what he’ll do when he’s not pressured by the other boys.
“In the nude?” he suggests, taking my hand and pressing it to his lips.
No boy has ever kissed my hand before, and it’s too late to conceal my startled eyes. I lower my gaze like a lovesick fool as Justin smirks at my uneasiness.
“I thought that wasn’t allowed,” I reply, playing with his long fingers. “I mean, posing nude.”
“Nothing is allowed at this school,” he scoffs. “So you have to figure out a way not to get caught.”
Temptation is leading me toward him. It would be so easy for Justin to trick me with his charm. I may need him, but no way am I going too far. I call the shots. “Topless,” I offer him, “but the rest of me stays covered.”
He leans in and kisses my other cheek. His long hair tickles my nose. I find the contrast sexy—his long hair and mine cut short. I look into his brown eyes and feel a pull towards him. He’s not all jerky. There are layers to Justin, and I want to explore a little.
“Okay?” I ask him.
Justin watches me as he kisses my hand again. “After class tomorrow, in my studio.”
