“All the guys wanted you,” he continued. “And it drove us wild that you didn’t want us.”
I looked at him, rigidly still and silent. It was incredible how he managed to reduce what he and his friends did to the most harmless terms. Wild wasn’t the word for the vile, disgusting things guys I didn’t know hooted at me, yukking it up for their friends. Wild wasn’t the word for Leo’s acting, pretending he was a good guy until Casino Night erased all doubt that he wasn’t.
And wild wasn’t the word for Julian Hart. Getting his hands on my number and endlessly texting and calling to go out with him. Showing up at my house uninvited. Hooking up with my best friend when all of that wasn’t enough to get my attention.
“But of course, you don’t have to worry about any of that now.”
Julian’s voice dragged me out of my thoughts.
“Because no one wants you.”
I pressed my lips together. What’s with everyone telling me what I already know?
“Want some free advice?” he asked. “Get out of here, Em. Out of the Estate. Out of town.”
“I don’t need your advice. And don’t call me Em.”
“You obviously need help if what Mom says is true. You’re enrolling at the academy?” He shook his head. “Why in the fuck would you do that?”
“Like I have a choice. My aunt and uncle can’t force me to go but legally they can send Eli wherever they want, and he’s not going anywhere without me.”
Julian blew out a breath. Twisting around, he propped himself up on one arm, body bent over the edge. “Then you’ll have to stick close to me.”
My brows snapped together. “Excuse me?”
“I’m serious. The Raveners are out for your blood and the OB trash won’t treat you much better. If you want to survive the next year, you’ll need me to watch out for you. My mom’s the headmistress and my crew runs the school. No one will touch you if I forbid it.”
I goggled at him, mouth hanging open.
“I know what you’re thinking,” Julian said. “But it’s not a trick. Yeah, I should hate you as much as everyone else, but in my case, Dad left Mom for some bitch who’s only five years older than me. I couldn’t give a fuck that your parents stole two mil off him. I wish they’d taken it all and put his ass on the street. I’ve got your back, Em”—he reached for me—“if you’ll let me.”
I swiftly stepped out of reach. “Have my back?” I repeated, voice hard. “And what would you want in exchange?”
Julian straightened, that grin stretching wider. “I’m sure we could work something out.”
Rage flared up hot and fierce. “You’re disgusting!”
He laughed, closing the distance. “I think you’re the disgusting one. Where did your mind just go? What are you assuming I meant?”
“I know exactly what you meant.” Backing up, I hit the ledge. “How many times do I have to tell you I’m not interested?” He got closer and I shoved his chest. “Back off! I don’t need your help. I don’t need your protection. I don’t need you.”
My shove didn’t move him back an inch. Why would it? He had twelve inches and seventy pounds on me.
That bulk pressed in on me. Julian molded to my body as he touched his fingers to my temple and gently traced a path to my cheek.
“You will,” he whispered. “You have no clue what’s waiting for you when you pass through those gates. They’ll rip your tough act to shreds in a week. Make it two days if they really put some effort behind it. When that happens, I’ll be your only hope.”
I smacked his hand away. “Your buddy had to learn the hard way not to touch me. Do I need to teach you—”
“Julian?”
Julian moved so fast it’s like I blinked and he was gone. A girl stuck her head out the door, scanning the terrace. She landed on us, me against the ledge and Julian a respectable distance away, and her eyes narrowed.
I swallowed a curse. Just when I thought my night couldn’t get worse.
“Leo said you were out here talking to her. Why?” she demanded.
“Just talking about school, baby,” said Julian, light and smooth. “I was about to go inside.”
Baby? Holy hell. The committed relationship this guy has been in is with Pomona Winchester?
Pomona stepped fully onto the terrace, holding a plate with cake. She scooped a piece and brought it to her mouth, wrapping her glittery pink lips around the fork as she looked me up and down. I couldn’t speak to the effect two years had on Leo or Julian, but I saw immediately they’d been good to her.
Pomona at sixteen was fifty pounds heavier, besieged by acne, and didn’t know what to do with her frizzy brunette mop. Despite all of that, she could have been cute if it wasn’t for the permanent snarl on her face the rare times we were around each other. A lot of Estate girls didn’t like that the hottest guys were coming after me, but Pomona’s crush on Julian ratcheted her jealousy up to a thousand. She made it clear when she pushed me into a pond the last time I saw her.
It looks like she’s got everything she wants now.
“Hello, Ember,” she said as she came over and plastered herself to Julian. One by one, their little posse followed her onto the terrace with their own plates and cocktails.
My jaw clenched. In seconds I was outnumbered six to one. Leo smirked as he shut the door.
“Pomona,” I greeted, expression blank.
She lifted a brow. “I’m sorry. Did no one tell you this wasn’t a costume party?”
“I’m not wearing a costume, dumbass.”
Pomona bared her teeth. “My mistake. I thought for sure you were going for cheap slut. Even worse if that’s your normal clothes.”
Her friends howled. Only Julian stood there silently.
I recognized all of them. Leo, Nolan, Brynn Redgrave, and Destiny Hamilton. None of them had reason to like me before the lodge, so my parents stealing money from them certainly didn’t help.
“I don’t know,” said Destiny, advancing on us. “I like her dress. Especially all of the colors.”
The colors?
“You’ve got a point,” Pomona said. “I love the brown.”
All of a sudden, she surged forward and smashed the chocolate cake on my breasts. I screamed, more out of surprise than anything.
“And the blue!” screeched Destiny.
Her fruity blue drink flew in my eyes and open mouth.
“And the red.”
Hands grabbed me. Swinging out, I hit one of them and got the satisfaction of hearing her bit-off curse. It lasted as long as it took for the girls to push me over the ledge.
I hit the dirt face-first, and pain surged through my skull. Their uproarious laughter could hardly be heard over the ringing in my ears.
Dazedly, I pushed myself up and felt wetness run down my cheek.
Red.
“Harsh, baby,” I heard Julian say lightly.
“What the fuck do you care about her?”
“I don’t care. Why should I?” I could have sworn I heard triumph lacing his tone. “Ember doesn’t need me.”
The group filed off, returning to the celebration in their honor.