Page 47 of Ask No Questions

"I don't plan on getting in her way. Who's her date? I haven't heard."

"It’s Ryan Philips. He was nominated for king."

"Is that a requirement? Nominees have to go together?"

"No, it just tends to happen. My date is Shelby, so it worked out for us too.”

“Are Michelle and Tucker going together?"

"They probably will now, unless she asks Luke."

"Oh, actually we’re going together."

He did his best not to react, but I saw his mouth tighten when I said that. "Oh really? So are you guys dating now?"

"We've just gone out a few times. I don't think we're an official couple or anything yet."

"But you like him?"

I smiled, thinking about last night. "Yeah, I do."

"Well, good for you. I don't know what you see in him, but at least he's not Gage Vincent."

"What do you mean? Do you not like him or Gage? Do you even know them?"

"Yeah, I know them a lot better than you think I do. You should have just stayed around me and the guys."

"I appreciate you being my friend and introducing me to the team, but I can have other friends."

"I'm aware. You are free to make your own mistakes, but don’t come crying to me when you end up broken hearted again."

It was unfair for him to use the secrets I’d told him against me. "What do you have against Luke?"

"I've known him for years, Aubrey. I have my reasons for not liking him. I've just been trying to watch out for you. You're the one who pushed me away." He seemed truly upset now. He moved his seat back and ignored me for the rest of class. His harsh words were enough to make me mad, but the silent treatment was over the top.

I lost count of how many classes I'd stormed out of this week. Life in Chicago was never this dramatic... well, besides Derek and Morgan.

I was out the door as the bell rang, just wanting to get away from Mike and his stupid controlling ways. I wasn't paying attention and slammed into someone. Arms were wrapped around me before I had the chance to look up at who it was. Gage was looking down at me with concerned eyes. Before he could say anything, a hand gripped his shoulder, pulling him away from me. He turned to face who had grabbed him when I saw it was Mike.

"Don't ever touch her!” He looked furious. I never expected Mike to be a violent person, but I could see the potential in his face now.

"What is your problem, Mike?" I was trying to step between them but the hallway was crowded, and a few of Mike's friends had appeared.

"He's a killer, Aubrey! I want to make it clear that he cannot come near you without dealing with one of us."

I was shocked that he would yell that in front of everyone in the hall. My instinct was to defend Gage even though he could probably do a better job himself. "That was an accident. You can't keep blaming him for something that happened over a year ago that wasn't even his fault!"

I could feel the tension growing between the two of them and wanted to get them separated before something happened. I went to take Gage's hand, but large hands grabbed me by the arms and pulled me back out of the way.

Mike and Gage were yelling at each other, but there was too much noise in the hall for me to hear. I was trying to pull myself out of the grasp of whoever was holding me. "Aubrey, just let them go. Don't get in the middle. This has been brewing between the two of them for years." I recognized Bear's voice behind me as he released my arms but held me to his side with an arm around my shoulders. I couldn’t stand there and watch them fight, but before I could move toward them, Mike threw a punch at Gage's face. I screamed out, but Gage dodged it.

I couldn't watch this anymore. I pulled away from Bear and rushed out to Gage. I pulled him away before Mike could take another swing. Gage was surprisingly calm. He put his arm around my shoulder and led us out of the hall. I could hear Mike shouting at us, but I didn't turn around. When we finally got to the courtyard, I stopped walking and turned to Gage.

"What was that? Why does he have a problem with you?"

He paused for a minute then shook his head and sighed. "We used to be friends, back in middle school. He came to high school already on the football team and expected me to hang out in his shadow. He's just mad that I stopped hanging out with him."

"That doesn't seem like enough to make him want to fight you at school."