Page 46 of Crush
Ember
I’ve escaped Thorne at lunch by finding a quiet patch of grass near Winthorpe’s acclaimed greenhouse. It’s freezing, but the cool, salted temperature brought by the nearby ocean is much better than the fire I’m forced to endure while attending class.
I didn’t think I’d react so swiftly the instant I saw Thorne in math class. I thought I was okay—that the shock of Aurora’s attack had worn off enough that I could get through the day. She didn’t succeed, after all. I was saved.
Oh, how wrong I was.
Swallowing thickly, I take a swig from my canteen, staring forlornly at the ham and swiss sub I’d grabbed from the cafeteria. I don’t think I’ll be able to get it down.
“There you are.”
The smooth, masculine voice comes from behind. I turn as Zeke makes his way to me, balancing a tray of food and two smoothies in his arms.
“How did you find me?” I ask. There’s no inflection in my tone.
“I come in peace,” he says, his lips stretching into his trademark handsome grin as he dodges my question and steps up to my seated form. “Can I join you?”
“I can’t say I’m great company.” But I don’t say no.
“You’re better than whatever Winthorpe is manufacturing in there, I’ll tell you that much.” Zeke bends into a crouch, setting a tray laden with dessert and treats between us. “Figured you could go for some comfort food.”
My brow quirks. “What makes you say that?”
Zeke studies me for a beat. “Look, I’m in and out of this school, but I see enough and have known Thorne for too long that I can understand when someone is suffering underneath his reign.”
“It’s nothing.” My words dismiss it, but my tone betrays me.
“How about a strawberry banana smoothie, then? Something to line your stomach. You’re looking a little pale.”
A bark of laughter escapes me. Pale. That’s one way to cope with today’s trauma.
Unfazed, Zeke smiles again. “Don’t give up so easily. It’s high school, right? We have our whole lives ahead of us after this shit show.” He spoons a large bite of chocolate sundae.
Unintentionally, I follow the path of his spoon directly into his mouth.
He notices, running his tongue across his lower lip and catching any stray hot fudge. “Is there something between you two, other than what I saw today?”
I jerk out of my daze. “What?”
“Between you and Prickly Boy.” Zeke shrugs, his broad shoulders straining the stitches in his blazer. “There must be some kind of history with the way you two were spitting at each other.”
“He’s horrible,” I say automatically. “Everything he touches withers and dies, and he wants me to be next. I refuse. Thorne may be irresistible, but it’s in all the wrong ways, and I’m done being his plaything.”
“Wow. Tell me how you really feel.”
I pull my lips in, mortified at my word vomit. “Perhaps I’ve been holding it in for too long.”
Zeke laughs. It’s such a contagious, wonderful sound that I smile along with him. For the first time, I realize nobody laughs like that at Winthorpe.
“Thorne is all about intimidation and silencing tactics. You expertly twisted his balls this morning when you made it known to everyone that he was harassing you. Good for you, darling.”
There’s a little twist in my stomach at his words. It’s not Thorne I should’ve named so loudly. It should’ve been Aurora, but every time I think about her, I picture Thorne pulling Aurora’s strings, telling her what to do, how to punish me. How to hurt me.
“He has a lot to answer for.” Zeke lowers his hand onto mine in the grass. “I doubt you’ll get them. But I just want you to know you’re not alone in despising him. He may have most of the student body cuckolded and under the Briar spell, but I’m not so easily swayed. I’m on your side. Anything you need help with, let me know.”
I peer at him under my lashes. I have to be careful here. Zeke’s friendly up close, but I barely know him. “What do you think I need help with?”
Zeke shrugs, licking his spoon and staring off in the direction of the cliffs. “Well, you’ve already poked a hole in his reputation. No girl has ever stood up and done the Me Too thing to him.”