Tryst Six Venom by Penelope Douglas

“YOU’RE NOT ACTUALLY dating Trace Jaeger, are you?” Amy says to
Krisjen somewhere off to my right.
Calculus fills up, students pouring through the doors, and I feel Clay
somewhere behind me, but I don’t turn to look.
“Of course not,” Krisjen replies. “That would involve talking. And
talking is the one thing we don’t do.”
I smile to myself. I like Krisjen, simply because most Saints wouldn’t
admit to the world that they sleep at my house. Or any house in the swamp.
She’s proof that Clay’s a fucking wimp.
My phone buzzes with another text, but I keep it face down, underneath
my palm on my desk. I don’t care how much she wants me. I don’t care if she
‘took the first step’ and told her mom about us, or how many times she’s
called in the last forty-eight hours.
And it’s fine if she can’t march her ass over here right now in front of
everyone and pull me into her arms.
I just won’t trust her again for anything less.
My chest aches, still feeling how much I’d wanted to sink into a hole
forever when Macon picked me up the other night. I deserve better than her.
“Hey.” Chloe smiles at me as she hugs her books and walks to the seat
behind me.
“Hey.”
My phone vibrates underneath my hand, and I press the power button,
turning it off completely.
“I’m trying this on.” And I feel my leather jacket that hangs on the back