“What did you tell him?” she asks, her voice hushed as she glances over at Matthews’ secretary, Vivian, who’s watching us with obvious interest.
“Everything.”
Natalie’s eyes widen. “What exactly are you referring to?”
“Had to rat out your lover, Nat. Sorry, but I’m tired of watching this guy destroy girls’ lives every semester. He deserves to go down.” I start to walk away, but Natalie grabs my sleeve, her grip surprisingly strong. I look back at her, shaking her hand off. “What’s wrong with you?”
Her expression is panicked. “You can’t do that. You just—you can’t.”
“Too late.”
She’s shaking her head. “When my parents find out what happened, they’re going to kill me. It’s like you didn’t even think about what you’re doing. You don’t care about anyone else. Just yourself.”
“Come on, I was telling the truth,” I remind her. I had to come clean with Matthews over what I saw. “I’m not about to take the fall for him.”
We’re basically in a stare off, and I can tell she wants to smack me. Slap my face. Stomp on my foot. Something. She’s so pissed off at me right now, but I don’t even care. I had to do the right thing.
Natalie’s entire demeanor transforms. Suddenly she’s standing a little straighter. Her expression clears. Her voice is calm. “You’re lying.” She says this loud enough for Vivian to hear her.
I frown. “What do you mean?”
“We met up last night. We hooked up. And we got caught. You just don’t want to admit it. Don’t want your precious little virgin to find out you’ve been fucking me on the side,” Natalie says, her tone as sweet as her smile.
“Miss Hartford, please watch your mouth,” Vivian reprimands.
Matthews comes out of his office, halting when he spots me and Natalie talking. “Come in, Miss Hartford. We have much to discuss.”
“Yes, we most certainly do.” The smile Natalie flashes me is smug before she turns and enters Matthews’ office, shutting the door behind her.
I storm out of the admin office, snatching the pass from Vivian before I leave, and head for Figueroa’s class.
Fucking Natalie. She’s going to tell Matthews a completely different story and make me look like a lying asshole, all to protect her precious Fig. Confirming all the rumors swirling around campus this morning.
That I was hooking up with her, not Wren.
I wonder if Wren would vouch for me. Of course, this would mean she’d have to come clean about her sneaking into my room last night, and I’m sure she wouldn’t want to do that, even though she’s a reliable witness. Matthews would believe her over all of us.
But my little birdy doesn’t get in trouble.
Ever.
I’m a bad influence. I should probably leave her alone, let her be. But fuck.
I’ve had a taste. I want more.
Within seconds I’m entering the classroom, marching up to Figueroa’s desk and tossing the pass at him.
“You’re late yet again,” he says, a faint smile curling his lips.
“No thanks to you,” I bite out, wanting him to know I saw him with Natalie last night.
He’s not even paying attention to what I’m saying. “Go sit down and work on your essay. Or read. Whatever it is you need to do. And don’t talk to anyone. Understand me?”
“You’re not my boss,” I retort, annoyed. Hating how he’s making me feel like a little kid, when I know I could take this asshole.
If I ever get a chance, I’m going to kick the shit out of him. He would deserve it.
“I am your teacher, and you’ll listen to what I have to say. I’ve had enough of your backtalk these last few weeks. Sit down.” His gaze never strays from mine. “Now.”
I can feel Wren’s gaze on me and I glance in her direction, noting the pleading expression on her face. She looks sad. Of course she does. Shit’s gone sideways in a matter of hours.
I go sit down behind her, leaning over my desk, getting as close to her as I can. “I need to talk to you.”
She turns her head to the side and I stare at her profile, wishing I could kiss her. She nods but doesn’t say a word.
Fuck. This is a mess.
A complete mess.
THIRTY-ONE
WREN
It’s agony, having Crew so close, yet I’m unable to talk to him. I have so many questions to ask, every one of them having to do with last night and what happened between him and Natalie.