She had started to turn back to her book, but her eyes snapped back to mine. Anger morphed over her and she lashed back, “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

I shrugged, but I murmured, “I know enough to know that you’re scared of your cousin.” Before she could reply, I finished, “And we both know that’s not Hannah. Does she remind you of your mother?”

Beth paled. “What did you just say?”

“Tiffany. She’s like your mom, isn’t she? That’s why you don’t fight back.”

“Shut. Up.”

I grabbed my book and my bag. Standing from the table, I regarded her for a second. “I’m not judging. I was dumped by both my parents so I get it. But Tiffany is not your mom. You can stand up for yourself against her. She’s still here and it doesn’t look like she’s going anywhere.”

As she gulped, I gave her a small wave and left.

I hadn’t minced my words and I hadn’t taken pity on her. That’s what she’d been scared about, but that small voice whispered in my head, You’re a hypocrite. You’re scared, just like her.

I was, but I wasn’t going to deal with my parents yet. I wasn’t ready for that.

CHAPTER SIX

Jesse called two nights later. I checked the time and saw it was after eleven before I answered. “Hey.”

“What are you doing?”

I glanced at my sneakers I was lacing up and my gym bag was already packed. I went to lie on my bed instead. “Nothing. You?”

“You want to do something?”

I grinned into the phone. “Is this my first official booty call in college?”

“No.” I could hear his amusement. “Well, maybe later. Want to go somewhere with me?”

“Where?” I was tempted to tease him if he was going to say his bedroom, but I stopped myself. There was exhaustion in his voice and my Jesse senses were tingling. Something was up, probably whatever he’d been busy with all week.

“My buddy’s in a band. Sometimes I go and listen to their practices.”

“Sure.”

“Okay. I’m outside your dorm right now.”

“The back door?” I didn’t wait for his answer. “I’ll be down.” Warmth rushed through me and I hurried to change my shorts into jeans. My shirt was off next and I pulled a tank with a sweater over it. Slipping my feet into flats, I grabbed my purse and headed out. As I was locking my door, Kara was coming up the back stairwell with a tall guy behind her. He had brown hair, long enough to be teased with some curl, but not long enough to look shaggy. He had high cheekbones, almost as chiseled as Jesse’s, and keen dark eyes. Their hands were interlocked so I figured this was the boyfriend.

“Oh, hi!” Kara stopped. He stood just inside the doorway with a hand against it to keep from slamming into him. “This is my boyfriend, Derek. Derek, this is Alex. She…knows Cord.”

An eyebrow went up, but he didn’t comment on that. “Nice to meet you.”

When he didn’t extend a hand, I was relieved. “You too. Be seeing you guys.”

“Oh, wait.” Kara stepped to the side, blocking me. Her smile never moved an inch. “I wanted to invite you to a picnic in two weekends. Are you doing anything Saturday?”

Yes. I had such a busy life. “Studying?”

“You can’t study all the time. The picnic is at Carver Park, eleven thirty. You don’t need to bring anything.”

“Who else is going to be there?” This sounded fishy to me.

Her smile was strained now.

I knew it.

She answered, “Tiffany, Chandra, myself, and another girl, Elizabeth Ives are putting it on. There will be lots of guys, if you want to meet a guy. Oh, and I was going to invite Hannah and Beth too. They have a Frisbee golf course and I know some of the guys will have a soccer game too. But don’t worry, there’ll be other girls there too. It’s just for a fun afternoon at the park.”

A brief frown appeared over her boyfriend before it cleared just as quick.

What was that for?

“So do you think you’d come?”

“Oh. Uh. You think it’s a good idea for Hannah to come if Tiffany’s going to be there? They didn’t seem to get along so well.”

She waved that off. “They’re always like that. There was another fight last night. So? Do you want to come?” Her eyes were animated as she waited for my answer.

I shrugged as I started to say, “Suu…” But I faded. A big fat knot had formed in my stomach. My other senses were telling me this was a bad idea.

Kara didn’t care. Her smile stretched from ear to ear. “Great! I’ll come to your room at eleven fifteen. We can walk over together.”

With a pat to my shoulder, she jerked her boyfriend from the doorway and past me. I was left unsettled when they disappeared into her room. When the lock clicked, I shook my head. I felt duped, but went down the stairs and to the back door. I’d deal with that later. Right now, as I stepped outside and saw the black Ferrari, I was thankful Jesse had his windows tinted. There was a cluster of girls on two benches that had been landscaped amidst foliage. They were eyeing the Ferrari. With a quick scan, I figured they were freshmen like me. Maybe they hadn’t heard Jesse Hunt drove the same car. I was hoping.

As soon as I got in, he sped away. For some reason, I wasn’t surprised to see he was wearing a black long-sleeved shirt and black pants. The shirt was snug on him. His arm muscles moved underneath and it accentuated the cut of his shoulders. The warmth from before came back, mingling with lust. It was on a simmer, always there, as if waiting for his presence. The simmer had been turned up. It was a steady boil now, not too overwhelming, but he looked he looked pissed and stoic at the same time. It was a deadly combination, especially on him.