Broken Princess (Van der Borne University Book 2) Page 4
“Uh, no. Not really.”
“You should. You’re stunning. I could take them for you, if you wanted.”
She stiffens, moving away from me.
“Oh. I get it. You don’t like me.”
“No. That’s not it. I do like you.”
“You do?”
“Yeah. Sure I do.”
“Then how come you’re not sitting at my table with me?”
She shrugs a shoulder. “I didn’t know I was invited.”
“Didn’t know you were invited?” I frown, looking behind me at my friends. “I thought for sure one of them had mentioned I was hoping to hang out with you today.”
“You were?”
“Of course. I mean, if you wanted to. No pressure or anything. I’d never pressure a woman into doing anything she didn’t want.” I brush her cheek with the back of my hand. “Amber, would you like to hang out with me today?”
Her head bobs up and down. “Sure. Of course I would.”
I push her book closed, scooping it up in my hand, and stroll across the room, not bothering to check if she’s following. I know she is. There’s no reason for her not to.
I ignore the knowing smirk from Frankie, the eye roll from Bella, and the eyebrow raise from Tabitha as I take my seat. I nudge Hal to move over, making room for Amber. Getting her to do what I want won’t be hard, because in the span of five minutes, I’ve got her willing to overlook the shit I did to Jordanna. I’m sure between the time it took us to walk from her table to mine, she’s already rationalized it in her head that somehow Jordanna deserved to be humiliated and that I was the injured party.
Or she could just not give a fuck, and like most of the other girls on campus she’s satisfied with a scrap of attention from me. Doesn’t matter which one it is, as long as she’s willing to let me use her mouth and body any way I want.
I make small talk, asking all the right questions and comment on the assignment we have in our Interpersonal Communications class. Amber’s a talker once she gets comfortable, and I allow her to yammer on about what topic on the syllabus she’s most excited to learn about. The IC class is where I plan to put her interpersonal skills to good use.
At some point Amber leaves to meet up with friends, and I manage to look sad about her departure. I flash the smile that makes the ladies weak and casually mention seeing her in class tomorrow. Bella pounces on me the minute she’s gone.
“What the hell was that?”
I drum my fingers on the table, watching Amber walk away. “Don’t start working your fucking mouth Bella, unless it’s to drop to your knees right here.”
She folds her arms and sits back in her chair. “Oh please, as if I would ever.”
And I’d never actually let her. “I didn’t think so.” I look around the table. “Now, just to fill you all in. I want you to know, that I understand how problematic having Jordanna enrolled here is going to be. The game we played last semester would have sent any other student packing for an online university from the privacy of their bedroom. The school is being tight-lipped about why she’s still here, and we can’t rouse any suspicion by going on the attack. Not the way we did before.” I look at Bella and answer her question from before. “No, I don’t know if there’s a lawsuit pending. Until I can get some answers, we have to play this smart.”
“Why are you looking at me?” Her nails click against the table. “I did my part last semester.”
“You also sent those pics to Jordy’s ex, and I had to cobble the rest of my sculpture together, instead of finishing the masterpiece I envisioned.”
“It was supposed to be an insurance policy so he wouldn’t come here and try to get her back.”
That’s the lie she’s been telling this whole time. Oh, I believe it was an insurance policy, but I think she was hoping he’d show up sooner and convince Jordy to dump me for filming her without her consent, so I’d lose. I’m pissed I had to delete those files. They were hot enough to warrant a re-watch.
I get them all to agree to chill for now and leave for my studio, because I have some work to do.
Four
Jordanna
Kassidy, who’s a Psychology major with an International Studies and Linguistics minor, is in my Interpersonal Communications class. It’s also the class I share with Logan and the Bride of Chucky. Also known as Bella.
Kass and I grabbed breakfast from the cafe. It felt good to treat myself and not have to account for every penny I was spending for a change.
She’s telling me about the new guided therapy class her mother is launching in the summer and invites me to go to the island with her to be a part of the test group. I laugh off the suggestion. Soaking up the sun and hanging out with her and her parents was fun. I even took some yoga and relationship evaluation classes, which gave me the space I needed to admit just how angry and betrayed I feel. But, I am not test group sex therapy material. After what Logan put me through, I don’t think I’ll be ready to date again anytime soon. And I know I’m not capable of casual sex.
I’m getting ready to tell her that last part when something catches my attention. Logan’s already here, sitting in the row he’s designated as his own, and today the seat on his right has a body in it. I’m not talking about one empty space between them either. He and the girl are sitting so close she might as well climb into his lap and reverse cowgirl him. Kassidy squeezes my shoulder and guides me to our seats when my steps falter at the threshold of the lecture hall.
“Don’t even sweat that shit, Jordanna.” She whispers in my ear. “You already knew Logan was a whore. At least now, he’s not trying to manipulate you by hiding it.”
No, he’s not hiding it. What he is doing is tugging on his seat mate’s shirt, looking inside it. His royal whore-ness is proudly on display again. Well, I won’t let it get to me. I don’t care where he puts his dick.
Kassidy and I grab our seats and I force myself to ignore what’s happening in the center of the room. Bella enters the class with moments to spare. Her gaze settles on Logan and then she does something she’s never done before. She turns and smiles at me before taking the empty seat on his left. While the teacher has his back to the class, Bella reaches between Logan’s legs and starts rubbing him while the girl is kissing his ear. He doesn’t do anything to stop either of them. My pen drops to the floor when he reaches up the girl’s skirt. The teacher turns and the threesome in the middle of the class acts like they weren’t doing anything.
I feel my ears burning because even though everyone’s pretending to pay attention to the lecture, they’ve been watching the show, and watching me, to see how I’ll react to it. Its social rubber necking, as they try to see how many limbs I lost in the wreck.
All this time he pretended I was crazy for thinking there was more to his friendship with Bella. Now he’s no longer hiding how close they are. He’s also not being discreet about his latest fuck buddy. I can tell by the way she’s moving that he’s fingering her in the middle of class. If there was anyone in this room still wondering if he regretted what he did to me, they’ve got their answer and so do I.
The girl’s head falls back and Logan leans over, kissing her ear. How could I have ever thought there was a decent bone in his body? Now that the blinders are off, I can see he was always the same cold-hearted monster I met that first day of class. Well, fuck him. Fuck them all.
* * *
As soon as class is over, I rush back to the dorm and pull out my book to write down what I observed today. Logan’s antics get a quick shorthand, because I wouldn’t be able to detail exactly what happened, even if I wanted to. I know Bella had her hand between Logan’s legs, but I couldn’t tell if his pants were open or if she was just touching him through his jeans, because her body blocked a lot from view.
I might not be ready to date, and it will probably take a long time before I can trust someone enough to have sex with them. But after today, I know without a doubt that Logan didn’t have any attachment to me. E
ven the times he told me he loved me were part of his act.
Going down the Logan lied to me when he said or did this rabbit hole isn’t helpful. It’ll have the opposite reaction from what I need, which is to take emotion out of this, and approach each subject as a science or math equation. I’m solving for the actual truth behind what the BP’s say, and the motivation behind what they’re doing.
When I’m done, I close my journal and stretch out on my bed. It’s mentally draining to have to walk around pretending like I’m unbothered by the stares and whispers. It’ll be even harder to do if Bella and Logan continue to do the shit they pulled in class today.
Closing my eyes, I will my mind to quiet and after about ten minutes of mindful breathing, I feel myself getting sleepy. I’ve been tossing and turning a lot at night. A power nap sounds like the perfect way to recharge.
* * *
My power nap turned into a real nap, which means I damn near sprinted across campus to get to class on time. Thankfully, the professor is running late, and I’m in my seat when he comes in, so I won’t get dinged on my attendance. He gives a five-minute grace period. After that, you’re marked absent. It’s supposed to teach us the importance of meeting deadlines. I say he’s just being an ass.
Still, if I had to pick a favorite class, this one makes the list; because it doesn’t have any of the BP’s or people in their inner circle in it. What it does have is a class full of serious students responsive to debates about game theory. After my first visit with Pepper, I dropped my accounting class, and signed up for this one.
If what she says is true and everything the sons and daughters of Kingsley Hollow, do is a game, then I need to know how to strategize like they do.
I scribble furiously in my notebook and highlight the passage in my textbook, trying to paraphrase everything the teacher says in ways I can understand. I might be new to all this, but I’m going to be Professor Croft’s star pupil.
I’m staring at my syllabus, trying to decide if I want to buy the companion book for game theory when I hear someone calling my name. I look up to see Noel jogging over to me.
“Jordanna, how you been?”
He’s sporting a bit of a shadow, adding an edge to his chiseled features. “You’re a long way from the grad side, aren’t you? What gives? You slumming it on our side of campus today?”
“Not at all. I’m still working with Grace.”
“Is she on campus this semester or are the students still checking in with her remotely?” Virtual instruction is the compromise she made with the school so she could stay on maternity leave even longer.
“She’s on campus, but I try to cover for her as much as I can, so she can spend more time with the baby.” He points to the book in my hand. “So you’ve got Croft this semester?”
“I do. Any tips on how to survive the class?”
“Read all the assigned material on the syllabus. Even if he doesn’t tell you to. He’s known for testing on things he never lectured on.”
“Thanks, that really is useful information.”
“Don’t mention it.” He looks across the quad and asks, “Did you sign up for the second part of Life Study?”
“I did, and thankfully this semester will include drawing people with clothes on, in different settings.”
“You don’t sound all that excited about it.”
“I’m trying to get back in the swing of things after the break and…”
Squeezing my arm, he’s says, “I know it’s probably rough being back here after what happened.”
It hurts to swallow. Glancing over his I take moment to get myself together before answering. “Understatement.”
“Jordanna, I’m sorry Logan violated your trust like that. I can’t imagine what you must be going through. And to think, he paid that girl to-”
“Paid who?” I ask, cutting him off.
He gives me a sympathetic pat. “I thought you would have heard by now. I don’t know how true the rumor is, but it’s all over Prospectus that he paid that Simone girl to seduce your boyfriend. He knew you’d never cheat on Robbie, so he had to get him out of the picture or there was no way, he’d win his bet.”
It keeps coming back to the same thing. How far Logan went; how far he would go to win. The minute I think I’ve dealt with it all, a new truth falls into place. My hands feel clammy and the ground feels unstable under my feet. “I think I’m gonna be sick.”
Noel’s strong arms wrap around my waist, holding me up as he walks with me towards the dorm. When I fumble with the key to my room, he takes it from me, pushing the door open. Kassidy springs from the couch. “Jordanna, what happened?”
Noel’s apologetic as he explains what happened. Kassidy remains quiet, but my guess is hearing Logan paid for my ex to cheat on me isn’t a surprise to her.
“Kass, you knew?”
“I’d heard something about it.”
“Why didn’t you say something?”
“Because there are so many rumors getting passed on Prospectus that I don’t know which ones to believe. Or did you really have a threesome with Tabitha and Bella before you got here, and that’s why she hates you now?”
Where did they come up with that one? “Hell, no.”
“Exactly. It’s hard to navigate the web of lies.” Rubbing my shoulders, she pulls me from Noel’s hold. “Come on and sit.” Looking over her shoulder, she says to him, “Thanks for bringing her home. I’ve got it from here.”
“Sure.” He says, “Jordanna, if you need me; you have my number.”
I manage a tight smile and thank him, before letting Kassidy guide me to the couch.
Logan
If you’re putting on a show for your ex and she doesn’t react, did it really even happen? I know Jordanna must’ve seen us. It didn’t take much to have Amber squirming in her seat. A little pressure on her thigh, a caress of her knee, and she did the rest, rocking against my hand, searching for more contact and friction. Hell, just the idea of me touching her was enough to get her off. Jordanna should have run screaming from the room. Instead, she sat there like she didn’t even care.
Something tells me Bella’s presence is the reason she stayed. Jordy’s justifiably suspicious of anything involving her, so Bella’s hands on my body must’ve been a dead giveaway that there was something else at play. This is why I work better alone. Fucking Isabelle Lance always finds a way to mess shit up.
My dick was in my pants the entire time she was rubbing on me, and even when she brushed against it, nothing happened. One, I know she wasn’t interested in playing with it, and two, it wasn’t interested in making an appearance for her.
I’ve always been in control of the way I react to women. Until Jordanna. She’s the first and only girl who I’ve been unable to control my erection around. Even before I took that bet, I wanted her. Now I want something else. Scratch that, I need something else. I need to break her spirit. That’s the only way I’ll truly be able to see her as a pathetic plaything I’ve grown tired of. Because Jordanna, the fighter. Strong and regal. That shit just turns me on.
My phone chimes and I check the alert on my smartwatch before pulling the phone out to respond to Simon’s text about Prospectus. Before I finish typing, he sends another.
* * *
The girl. Are you sure this is how you want to handle this?
* * *
Tabitha has her suspicions. But Simon is the only person who actually knows the truth about how I feel about what I did. I can’t change up my strategy though. We haven’t painted a new target on her back, yet. But I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before Bella mentions it.
* * *
I don’t have a choice.
Okay, let me know if you need me to do anything
* * *
Simon’s got enough on his plate, dealing with Prospectus, and his own backstabbing classmates. It’s a full-time job for him to make sure no one rips off his tech and software ideas. I toss my phone on the bed and cr
ack open a book. I need to get some studying done before this weekend.
An hour passes. I’ve read the same chapter three times and still can’t tell you what the hell it was about. My thoughts keep turning to Jordanna. We can never be together. I made certain of that last semester. Her being here is just going to remind me of what I almost had. She has to go. But how can I make her life miserable enough so she wants to leave, when a part of me hopes she stays?
She’s sitting in the furthest corner of the class behind Gredin. He turns and says something to her, stabbing his paintbrush in her direction. She smiles, shaking her head and he pantomimes shoving a dagger in his heart. I watch as she uses a marker to write something on his hand. He reaches into his pocket, and pulls out his phone. Did she just give that punk her number?
A murderous rage washes over me. I can’t do anything about it in class, so I take my frustrations out on my canvas. There shouldn’t be any smiles. Smiles mean she’s happy and if I’m not happy she damn sure doesn’t have any right to be.
Being with Jordanna did something to me. For the first time, I felt something. It’s a foreign concept for me to still have lingering feelings for someone, and it pisses me off that I’m the only one affected. She doesn’t get to just walk away and move on from me this quickly. Especially not with anyone at this school.
I haven’t given the tap for guys to go after her, yet Gredin’s pushing up on her already. That shit won’t last beyond today. I post a message on Prospectus.
* * *
Master and commander, no treaties for friends
* * *