Page 48
With an exasperated sigh, I force a smile. “Nope. Help yourself.”
I barely get the words out before the giant beside me inhales my lunch in two huge bites.
One of the Ken dolls across from me clears his throat, drawing my attention from the feeding frenzy. “How do we know you’re a virgin? Will we get proof—”
“I wouldn’t finish that question if I were you.” Jordan’s steely voice freezes Ken 1 mid-sentence. Then he holds out his hand and lowers his voice to a soft whisper. “May I have a word?”
“With me?” I’m still too stunned by Ken’s outrageous assumption to think straight. Was he suggesting I submit to a gynecological exam?
Jordan shifts his weight, rolling his kohl-lined eyes. “Yes. With you.”
“Okay.” Ignoring his outstretched hand, I follow him across the food court. “What is it?”
“Not here.” He heads for the exit, mumbling under his breath, and before I know it, he’s led me across the academic quad and halfway to Greek row.
“Wait. Stop.” I plant my feet, refusing to go any farther. “Where are we going?”
“You’re going home. I’m going back in there.” He hooks his thumb toward the main dining hall.
“What? No. I can’t go home. I still have—”
“Skip it.” His mask slips again, his eyes pleading with mine. “Please. I can’t save your ass every time someone gets out of line.”
“Out of line? I wasn’t eating my pizza anyway.”
“I’m not talking about pizza.” He groans, turning his gaze skyward. “If you’re going through with this idiotic plan of yours, at least think about your safety.”
“My safety? Who are you? Batman?” I snicker. “Don’t answer that. I didn’t ask for your protection, and I don’t need it. Nicole and I discussed all the risks, and we’ve got it under control. Besides, I’m pretty sure I can take a couple of Ken doll wannabes.”
“Oh, you think so?” Jordan inches forward, and the heat coming off his body sends ripples of warmth through me. “You think you can fend off two guys at the same time?”
“M-maybe?” My brain short-circuits, my conviction wavering as I drink in his delicious scent.
His smile turns deadly, and his voice drops to a low rumble. “You don’t sound so sure. How do you know they don’t have martial arts training? Or carry weapons in their little briefcases. Do you even know those guys?”
His question takes me off guard. “No. Do they go here?”
He laughs, and the dark sound makes my stomach flip. “They do now.”
“What do you mean, they do now?”
“I mean yesterday they didn’t. Today they do. Apparently, they transferred in from the virtual learning program this morning.”
“How does that work?”
“How the hell should I know? But your little stunt has drawn way more attention than I think you’re prepared for. You need to put a stop to it before someone decides to take what they want.” A gust of breath rushes past his lips, drawing my attention to his shiny silver snakebite piercings.
“No one would be bold enough to try that in the middle of the academic quad.” My words don’t even ring true to my own ears, so I’m not surprised when Jordan snorts.
“Please go home, Kennedy.” He takes a step back, exiting my personal space and leaving me cold. “Go home and rethink your stupid idea.”
Stupid? The word hangs in the air like a dare. “You know what? No. I’m not going home. And I’m not giving up the plan.” The same stupid plan I never intended to go through with in the first place. But he doesn’t need to know that. “And next time you decide to play Batman, don’t.”
His eyebrows shoot up his forehead, drawing my gaze to the black spike over his left eye.
With my arm extended as far as it will go, I point toward the dining hall in the distance. “I’m going back in there to sit across from those anatomically incorrect Ken dolls and make polite conversation. Then I’ll ask Dennis about the playoffs, and I’ll even ask what’s-his-name about . . . something. And you can follow me or not, I don’t care. But from now on, save the rescuing for stray cats. Got it?”
Jordan’s lips twitch, and I’m almost certain he’s fighting a smile. “You done?”
