Meeting with Brad

Shirley's POV 

I immediately choked on my food hearing Kayla's question, how do I tell her that I stalked Brad’s I*******m, that would made me look like a fangirl.

“Oh, goddamn it. I gotta go, bye!” Kayla suddenly blurted, checking her phone with wide eyes. She bolted down the hallway like her life depended on it, waving over her shoulder.

I sighed, thank goodness she left, shoving the last bite of my bun into my mouth, chewing quickly as I stood up. The cafeteria noise was still getting on my nerves. The hallways had quieted down a lot since morning, which was a relief. Then a large, strong hand grabbed my arm and yanked me sideways.

What the fuck? I stumbled into the dim janitor’s closet, heart slamming against my ribs. Before I could scream, a big palm clamped over my mouth, muffling any sound. The door clicked shut behind us.

These people are actually insane. Can I not have one normal moment today?

I thrashed hard, elbowing backward, but the body behind me was solid muscle.

“Calm down, princess,” a low, familiar voice murmured against my ear. “I’m not trying to kidnap you. I couldn’t even if I wanted to.” That voice…

My nerves exploded with a chaotic mix of rage and something close to happiness. I bit down on his hand hard.

“Ow, fuck!” Brad yanked his hand away, shaking it with a wince.

I spun around, breathing fast. “What do you want, Brad?” He stepped closer, crowding me against a shelf of cleaning supplies. His scent, clean soap mixed with that same warm, woodsy cologne, wrapped around me like a trap. It was the exact scent that used to make teenage me dizzy. Apparently, it still did. Damn it! His big hand settled on my waist, pulling me flush against his sturdy chest. Heat radiated off him. I hated how my body reacted.

He leaned in, lips brushing my ear. “You look beautiful, you know that?” he whispered. “I almost didn’t recognize you.”

I shoved him back, folding my arms over my chest to create distance. “I’ve always been beautiful. They were just braces.”

Brad rolled his eyes. I scoffed. “I had crooked teeth for fuck sake!” He gave me that are you serious right now look that used to make me melt. Now it just irritates me. If he hadn’t humiliated me so publicly back then, maybe we could’ve stayed friends. But every time I looked at him, I still saw the laughter, the pointing fingers, the way the whole school had treated me like a joke. I took a slow, steadying breath. “What do you want, Brad?” His expression shifted, turning more serious. He stepped in again, voice dropping to a husky whisper against my ear. “I want you.”

My mind went blank for a second. This was exactly what I’d come back for… but it was happening way too fast. Brad had always been shallow. If it only took one day of me looking different to flip his switch, that said everything.nI couldn’t help the bitter laugh that escaped. “You must be joking. You want me? Why? Because I’m prettier now? Because I’m ‘sexy’?” I air-quoted the word mockingly. “If I remember correctly, you’re currently dating Stacey Carter, the queen bee of Hawthorne. Are you trying to make an enemy out of me on day one? Or turn me into your side piece?”

Brad frowned. “Who told you that? Anyway, I might be dating Stacey, but I’m planning to end things with her.”

“Oh, that’s why you were making out with her friend in the girls’ bathroom this morning?” I snapped. “What a scumbag. I knew you were an asshole, Brad, but I didn’t think you were this much of an asshole.” I expected anger. Instead, a slow, dangerous smile spread across his face. The same cocky smirk from the team banner..“You already know a lot for your first day back, Patterson.” He moved closer again. “But I promise you… I’ll get you sooner or later. Trust me.”

I shoved his face away, creating space between us. “It’s the other way around, asshole,” I mumbled under my breath, too quiet for him to hear. My hand closed around the doorknob. I was almost out when his voice followed me, smooth and arrogant.

“Come to my game tomorrow. Come watch me destroy those pathetic Westfield guys.” He grinned. “Come see me shine.”

Narcissist much? I rolled my eyes so hard I nearly strained them and stepped out of the closet without another word. But I caught the devilish smile on his face from the corner of my eye as the door swung shut. My heart was racing. My skin still tingled where he’d touched me.

The final bell rang, the classroom erupted. Everyone bolted from their seats, shoving books into bags and spilling into the hallway like a dam had broken. I took my time, packing up slowly before heading to my locker. The metal door jammed on my first try. As I wrestled it open, I glanced down the hall and rolled my eyes.

A crowd had already formed around the hockey team. Girls giggled, touching arms, batting lashes. Guys slapped backs and hyped them up like they were gods descending from Olympus. Brad stood in the center, of course, Jason and a few others flanking him like loyal minions. What was so exciting about a bunch of misogynistic scumbags who treated girls like accessories?

I slammed my locker shut harder than necessary and made my way out of the building. The fresh air hit me as I stepped outside, and I hailed a taxi home, finally, the ride was quiet, and when I walked through the front door, the familiar scent of home wrapped around me like a warm blanket. “Hey, cutie pie!”

I turned, and my face lit up instantly. “Daddy! You’re back!” I dropped my bag and ran straight into his arms for a bear hug. He laughed, squeezing me tight and rubbing the top of my head affectionately like he used to when I was little.

“What’s up, cutie pie? How was your first day at Hawthorne?”

I pulled back, smiling. “It was okay. Some people weren’t as bad as I expected.”

He held my hand and led me toward the dining room, chatting easily. Then, almost casually, he added, “And oh, Brad goes to that school, right? If anything happens, you can always reach out to him. He’s your mom’s best friend’s son. I’m sure he’d help you settle in. He’s a good kid.”

Dad gave me that knowing look, I’d never hidden my feelings well around my parents back then.

“Don’t worry, Dad. I’ve got this covered,” I said smoothly, forcing a smile..My phone chimed in my pocket. It was Kayla asking for my house address. I quickly typed it in and hit send. Dad raised an eyebrow, watching me with that suspicious-parent stare. “What’s that about?”

“It’s a girl, Dad. Relax.”

He raised both hands in surrender, but I caught the smirk playing on his lips. “I wasn’t thinking about anything.”

“Sure you weren’t.” I shook my head, grinning. “I’m going to my room.” I took a quick shower, letting the hot water wash away the chaos of the day, then changed into comfy sweats and a soft tank top. My hair was still damp when I flopped onto my bed and opened I*******m out of habit.

Brad had posted new pictures from some party, him and Stacey wrapped up together, her head on his chest, his arm slung possessively around her waist. They looked perfect and happy. So much for “ending things soon.”

Call me a stalker, I didn’t care. But seeing them like that, seeing him smiling like the world was his made me mad. After everything he’d put me through, after he’d made my life hell three years ago… he still got to be happy?

I slammed my phone down on the study table, not hard enough to crack the screen but enough to feel satisfying. My appetite was gone. I crawled under the blanket, pulled it over my head, and forced my eyes shut, willing sleep to come.

“Grrrrggggg…” The phone jolted me awake. I groaned, eyes still heavy, and answered without even checking the caller ID, pressing it to my ear with a hoarse voice.

“Hello?” “Shirley! I’m at your house!” Kayla’s excited voice burst through the speaker. “You didn’t tell me you’re fucking rich. What the hell? This place is huge!”

I sat up, blinking away sleep. “Kayla?”