Outcast: A Reverse Harem High School Bully Romance (Montlake Prep Book 2) Read online

  Jacob is standing in the open doorway. I glance at him, but remember my oath. I hurry down the steps toward the exit door for the first floor. But he’s faster than I am. He takes the steps two at a time and pushes the door shut with a bang.

  “Wait.”

  He looks down on me, his arm pressed against my shoulder, and I can feel the heat coming off his body. My mind recalls the day in the library and the tension between us until it all shifted. I look up expectantly, wondering if it will happen again.

  “What is it?” I bite out. “I can’t wait all day for you to learn how to speak.”

  I’m too raw to say what I feel, so I let my anger defend me. He deserves it.

  “Look, we can talk, but not here.” His voice echoes in the quiet stairwell, and I nod in agreement. The halls have ears even if we don’t see them.

  “I want to talk, but only talk. I’m serious. I’m over you. But I deserve an explanation.”

  Jacob sighs, letting his arm down. His hand brushes mine, and I feel a chill. His fingers linger a moment, and I see his jaw working. I know where this is going, and I’m not heading down that path. No matter how badly I want to. I take a step away from him and meet his gaze defiantly.

  “Meet me later in the woods,” he says.

  I shake my head. Does he think I was born yesterday? My cheeks heat, knowing that Lucas must have told him about our make-out sessions. It won't be repeated. He sees me in public or nothing.

  “I’ll meet you at the diner on Main after school. You better show, Fleming.”

  He nods, and then a smile appears on his lips. The charm is coming off him in waves. It's so strong I think I’m about to tip over.

  “Bring your calculus homework. We can compare our answers.”

  What a dick. But I can’t help but smile. “You’re an ass.” I walk past him out the door and head toward class.

  My heart is still hammering. I realize it wasn’t fear but the excitement of talking to Jacob again. I wanted an explanation now, but I already suspect it wasn't him. But I’m clinging to hope with both hands. Jacob’s not the type to lead a person on. He runs straight into trouble and then thinks about it later.

  ***

  Smoke from a fireplace drifts in the air as the wind picks up the leaves and places them in my path. The diner is turning into my favorite hangout because it reminds me of home. And it doesn’t look like it belongs in Montlake. It looks like Dorothy’s tornado lifted it out of my old neighborhood and dumped it here.

  But if I keep having stressed-out conversations here, it won’t be my favorite place for long. But no matter how I feel about Jacob, I'm always excited whenever he's around.

  “Hey.” Jacob lifts his hand as I enter the diner. The diner’s not large. It’s the size of an old railroad car, with a counter on the left, and booths on the right. Jacob has his calculus homework spread out across the table as he taps his tablet.

  I sit down across from him and sigh loudly demonstrating my displeasure. Jacob looks up at me and gives me that sexy smirk that he's mastered to perfection. His eyes sparkle and his dimples flash in his cheeks.

  “Don’t look so pissed, Natalie.” He pushes the papers aside and hands me a menu from off the table. “I got a tutor online. Soon, I’ll be tutoring you.”

  “You mean you’re paying someone to do your homework?”

  He frowns as he picks up his menu. “No, Little Miss Calculus. I have to pass the infamous pop quizzes, so I’m learning something.” He sighs. “I didn’t order, but I know what I want.”

  I shake my head. “I want an explanation.”

  Jacob closes the menu and pushes it to the side of the table next to the window. His broad shoulders rise as he inhales deeply and then lets it out noisily.

  “Look," he says, "let’s eat first, and afterward, you can give me an explanation, too.”

  “What the fuck are you talking about?”

  “Shh. The waitress is coming.” Jacob looks at the older lady in a turtleneck, jeans, and an apron approaching. “Try not to act like trash in front of the help,” he whispers.

  I bite my lips so hard I think I’m going to swallow them. The waitress notices my pissed expression, and judging from hers, I know I must look crazy.

  “You need more time?” she asks sweetly.

  “No,” we say in unison.

  Arching a pencil-thin eyebrow, she looks at me and pretends to be patient.

  “I’ll have the bun-less burger with greens on the side.” I hand her my menu.

  “Dressing?”

  “A lot of ranch, please.”

  Jacob winces at my lame order, but I don’t care. I’m not even sure if I’ll be able to choke my food down.

  “I’ll have the bacon cheeseburger with fries. Extra bacon.”

  “What would you like on the fries, sweetie?”

  His lips part, but he’s silent. Jacob stares at the woman as if she just propositioned him, and he doesn’t know where to run. It's time for a down-to-earth middle-class intervention.

  “Just ketchup,” I answer for him. “He likes ketchup.”

  “Okay,” she snatches the menus off the table, “and I’ll bring your drinks out. Diet Coke for both of you?”

  “He’ll take a regular Coke. Thanks.” Relaxing a little, I finally smile.

  Unfortunately, the food won’t materialize on the spot. I watch Jacob like I’m streaming on my phone, and he looks around the diner as if he’s just realized where he is.

  ***

  “So, you eat here a lot?”

  “Cut to the chase, Fleming.” I lower my voice. “I want an explanation of what happened that night.”

  “After we eat, and I mean it,” he replies.

  “Why?”

  “Because I don’t think you’re going to be too happy.”

  “Look, I can handle it. That should be obvious after the last few months in Montlake Penitentiary.”

  Jacob shifts in his seat and glances over at the cook, making our order. Before he can speak, the waitress places our Cokes on the table and leaves hastily. But Jacob doesn’t drink his soda. He stares at the bottom of the glass as he turns it around on the table.

  A few more turns, and he speaks. “I was pissed with you for disappearing that night.”

  “Pissed with me?”

  “You went off with Anthony,” he replies sourly. “Did you forget who took you to the dance?”

  There’s no way of denying that. “But we were only going to talk.”

  “But you didn’t talk, did you?” He narrows his gaze. “You went off with him and ended up with him. You wanted him.”

  A chill seeps down my spine as I twist my hands in my lap. Instantly, my feistiness deflates as Jacob stares me down. I can’t look at him. And I don’t need to because I can feel his intense brown eyes shredding me apart. Maybe, I hurt him in the same way that I hurt Beth. I made a weak decision to be with someone I thought was safe and it led me to a choice that I later regret. I have no good reason for why I chose Anthony over him. Or do I?

  “Would you have stood by me?” I whisper, picking at my nail.

  “We went to homecoming together.”

  “As friends, maybe?” I become a little bolder. “Would Lucas have been okay if we ended up together? Every time I get on equal standing with you or Lucas, something topples me over. I end up with Arielle fighting me or quitting the cheer squad. Or eating lunch in my car because someone doesn’t want to face me like an adult, and tell me what’s up their ass. You told me I didn’t fit in because of the code, so I picked the person that your fucking code picked for me.”

  Jacob leans back with a sigh. The diner is quiet as I realize that my voice was a little too loud. The waitress comes back with our food and silently places it on the table. She tears the bill off her pad and puts it down beside Jacob's plate.

  “When you’re ready, dear. Take your time.” She hurries off again.

  “I didn’t push you toward him.” Jacob’s voice is even and
cold. “I lost track of you that night. And each time I saw you, you were with Anthony. Eventually, I got fed up and hung out in the basement. Cora and Lexi started feeding me shots. After a while, Lexi led me into the dining room, and the next thing I knew, you were coming downstairs from the bedroom looking like a mess.”

  “So, it wasn’t you?”

  “You really don’t know who you were with?”

  My eyes fill with tears, and I can’t answer him. My head hurts from worrying as I sit and stare at a disgusting lump of dry meat on my plate next to yellow lettuce. When I shake my head, a tear falls onto the tile-top table.

  “Natalie.” Jacob’s tone is patient as his hand touches mine. “I don’t mean to be hard on you. But what I wanted that night just didn’t happen.”

  Yeah, join the club. I thought bitterly, but I kept my mouth shut.

  CHAPTER 3

  Natalie

  I didn’t need to corner Lucas the same way I cornered Jacob. He was easier, like luring a stray puppy with a treat. Before physics, I leave a note neatly folded on his desk. Surprisingly, Arielle takes no interest in it.

  I ask him to wait for me after English class later, and obediently, he remains seated at his desk after the bell chimes. Ms. Estes gives us both a look, but Lucas refuses to acknowledge her. I just grin as her face turns red. I try not to care what she thinks about my tainted reputation. If I’m going to stop caring, I may as well start with Ms. Estes.

  “Do either of you have a question for me?” she asks.

  Following a tired sigh, Lucas rolls his eyes, and I shake my head while looking out the window.

  “Well, then, I have another class to teach.” Ms. Estes grabs her messenger bag and shuffles out of the door.

  It feels as if minutes pass, but it’s only a second before Lucas speaks. “So, what do you want, Natalie?”

  “Ever since that night," I reply, "no one calls me trashalicious anymore. I sort of miss those days.”

  Lucas frowns, turning to look at me his brow creases. “Why would you miss that?”

  “Because back then, I trusted you.”

  He sighs and stands from his seat then walks over to mine. I look into his hazel eyes, and I remember the drives we took together when he would kiss me in the woods.

  “I want to know if it was you that night,” I ask.

  He starts, and the look of confusion makes me dread his answer. “Let’s talk somewhere else.”

  Lucas steps aside as I stand up, and he looks me up and down, appraising my outfit. It’s silly, but I knew that I would talk to him today, so I dressed carefully this morning. I’m wearing a new school uniform with red cashmere sweater with a white collar, black tights, and gray suede pumps. My outfit advertises my school spirit.

  I feel his breath on my ear as he whispers, “You look beautiful today. As always.”

  “Thanks.” I knew Lucas had noticed, as hard as he tries not to see me.

  We walk down the hall together, side by side, which attracts stares and whispers, but I don’t care. Maybe a truce will be the new norm. Perhaps, I won’t be shunned. Because that’s what hurts—being tossed away like yesterday’s girl.

  “Taking out the trash, Lucas?” A junior from the hockey team is laughing as we walk by. I don’t know his name except that he was at the party.

  “You’re on the bench, Andrews,”

  Gawking, he freezes in disbelief but snaps out of it as Lucas continues past him. “Wait. What? That’s not fair.”

  “Life’s not fair,” Lucas snaps, “Get used to it.”

  “You can’t do that to me.”

  “That’s two games. Keep talking, and it’ll be three.”

  Lucas’ poise is slipping as he glares at a student who steps in the elevator ahead of us. He doesn’t say a word. He holds the door open as the newcomer steps out. I feel terrible for the kid until he gives me an evil look. It wasn't me who made him get out.

  Lucas is not a diner guy, so I don’t bother mentioning it. We’re in his car, heading towards the gym. The Camaro glides down the streets of Montlake as we sit in silence, moving past the large houses with lawns that are so well maintained that they look like plush carpets. I sigh as I press my forehead against the chilly passenger window.

  “What’s wrong?” He keeps his eyes on the road.

  Slowly, I turn my head enough to give him a side-eye that would shame him, but he won’t look. “Too many things to bitch about today.”

  He smiles a little as he pulls into the gym parking lot. The Montlake gym was once the town Y until a developer purchased the rundown building and made it exclusive. The public can still use the pool in the summer, but only members can use the restaurant and afford the expensive gear in the shop. The interior is more upscale spa than a neighborhood gym. And God forbid if anyone should sweat in here. I prefer the rundown diner and only use the gym, but today, Lucas leads me to the restaurant.

  He holds the door open, and though I feel a little strange in my school uniform, Lucas saunters in as if he has a reservation. Lucas takes it in stride and motions to the hostess. She walks toward a table near the door, but Lucas walks past her to a booth in the back. By the look on her face, I know she wants to say something, but sweetie better not if she wants to keep this job. The hostess says nothing, proving that she knows who’s who.

  Her smile is tense as she hands us each a one-page menu on textured paper. “Can I get you something to drink?”

  “I’ll have an unsweetened ice tea,” I reply.

  “The same.”

  She leaves our table, motioning to an idle waitress.

  “I’m surprised you brought me here.”

  “Why? You’ve been ignoring me.”

  “Aren’t you afraid of the right people seeing you with the wrong girl?”

  Lucas puts the menu down on the table, and I doubt he’s even looked at it. “Why do you say that?”

  “Because I’m not Arielle.”

  It’s a challenge, and I know I struck a nerve as he looks out the window at the cars in the parking lot. I follow his eyes, but I see nothing of interest. I know he’s stalling, but he can’t shut me out again, not before I get the truth out of him.

  “It’s a good thing you’re not, or we wouldn’t be sitting together right now.”

  I study the menu a little harder, trying to get my wording right. “So, what is happening with the two of you? Are your families still pushing you together?”

  Cautiously, I look at Lucas and see a flash of bitterness pass over his thoughtful expression. If I didn’t know him, I would’ve missed it. But maybe I don’t know him.

  “She’s been spending time with Troy?” I ask.

  “Troy Saunders is on top," he says. "He’s the king of the school. The master of the universe. The hole in the ass.”

  I can’t help giggling when Lucas curses. It’s so out of character for him, even though he does it all the time. He sighs, straightening his shoulders, and he picks up his menu again.

  “Arielle and I were engaged the day we were born. I was willing to honor it. But I was distracted this year.”

  His smile is vague, and so is his explanation. I place my menu down on the table.

  “So, is it over?”

  “It’s completely gone. We won’t be getting back together again. Does that matter to you?”

  I shrug my shoulders and read the menu again. I’m hungry, but I should order something cheap since the conversation will ruin my appetite.

  “It did once, Lucas.”

  Lucas pulls his hand through his hair and looks over his shoulder, causing the attentive waitress to sprint over. I order a garden salad, so I can pick out the onions, and Lucas orders a grilled chicken sandwich. The waitress hurries away without a word.

  “I wasted my time on Arielle,” he continues. “She wasn’t serious about our relationship until you came along. Until she had competition.”

  Sipping my tea, my next question is hanging over us. “Were you in on it?”


  Lucas stares at me and I want to look away, but I won’t. His mind is working, but I don’t think he’s dreaming up an excuse. I think he’s wondering why I would even ask him such a thing, but he was there. He was in that room while I was being humiliated and Arielle draped herself all over him. It can’t be over for her.

  “No, I didn’t know what was in the box until Troy opened it.”

  “Why did you just watch?”