Deep (Heavy Hearts Book 2) by Sarah Duncan (reading tree txt) 📕

her hand, and I take it in a very formal handshake that doesn’t suit the current situation.

I laugh, “I’ll take my chances, thanks.”

“Oh, come on now. Lexi loves me, don’t you, girl?” Standing, Rhys brushes some blades of grass off her knees and moves to my side, giving me a hip bump.

“Ah… Sure.” I say, and the rest of the group laughs.

“So how did you manage ditch your reverse harem?” Rhys asks, grinning widely.

“Reverse harem?” I’m confused. What is this girl on about?

“Yeah, you know, like a harem but filled with delicious guys instead of girls. A reverse harem. Where are they?” Rhys turns to look where I came from, disappointment flashing over her face when she realises that I’m alone. She pouts in my face.

“You have a reverse harem?” A girl that reminds me of Wednesday Addams approaches with an indifferent expression on her face.

“Um, no. The boys Rhys is referring to are just my friends.” I shove my hands in my blazer pockets, feeling nervous under her glare.

“Oh, well, that’s boring.” The Wednesday Addams look-alike turns, retreating, quickly losing interest in me.

“Don’t mind Bell; she has some questionable interests,” Tillie explains, and Bell glances back at us with the same indifferent expression and shrugs.

“Come on now, Lexi, which one are you banging?” Rhys throws her arm over my shoulders and leads me to the emergency exit stairs that descend from the rear entrance of the stadium.

“I’m not banging anyone. My boyfriend… well, I mean the guy that was my boyfriend for like a second isn’t here.” I don’t know why I revealed that, and I inwardly kick myself. By the looks of it, I need to be careful around Rhys. She seems to have a way of prying information out of me. Either that or my walls are slipping.

“Oh. My. God. You were seeing that hot new guy, weren’t you?” Rhys’s jaw drops open before morphing into a grin.

Damn it! How did she put that together?

“OMG, really? That tall, dark and fuckably handsome new guy?” Lip gloss boy speaks up for the first time. I’ve seen him before around school. His name is Dale Martin, I think. He’s been openly gay since seventh grade and doesn’t care what people think of him. It's admirable.

Eager eyes stay focused on me, obviously waiting for more information. Even Bell’s eyes glint in interest. Leaning against a tree just off to the side is another guy that looks more like a dark-haired vampire with skin as pale as snow. He’s been quiet, but even he’s paying attention now.

“If you’re talking about Ayden Mitchell, then yes. Ayden and I were… a thing. Briefly.” I shrug and swallow down the lump that forms in my throat from speaking his name out loud.

“Oh, damn girl! You lucky little bitch. I was hoping he was gay. I’d totally let him top me.” Lip gloss boy, Dale, declares.

“Jesus Dale, that’s TMI, dude.” Tillie cringes.

Rhys roars with laughter, and Bell steps close to me, invading my personal space. I try to move back, but there’s nowhere to go, and Bell, who’s a couple of inches taller than me, looks into my eyes like she can see inside my soul.

“You love him,” Bell states, and I flinch.

“Ah, Bell, maybe Lexi doesn’t want you all up in her business.” Vampire boy speaks up, brushing hair as dark as coal off his face. He really is so pale. If I found him lying on the ground with his eyes closed, I’d be sure he was dead.

“You also have a broken heart. Did Ayden do that?” Bell tilts her head from side to side, studying me, so I close my eyes tight, needing to take a moment as pain, sorrow and anger blooms in my chest. When I open my eyes, Bell is still standing just as close, studying me.

“How about you take a few giant-sized steps back from me? I don’t exactly have control over my temper lately, and I’d hate for you to get hurt.” I hiss through gritted teeth, fisting my trembling hands in my blazer pockets, hoping no one notices.

No one speaks, and Bell continues to study me for a few more long moments before turning on her heel and moving away. “I like her. Can we keep her?” Her words sound oddly humoured, which is a stark contrast from the straight look on her face.

“Bell, if you keep showing Lexi your loopy side, then she’s probably going to run very fast, very far away.” Dale addresses Bell, and she simply shrugs, taking a seat on a log next to the tree where vampire guy is leaning. I still don’t know his name.

Maybe coming here wasn’t a good idea. Was ditching my boys really necessary? Just then, my phone starts to vibrate with incoming texts, and I pull it out of my pocket to read them.

Marcus Grady

You’re not in the toilets or the Library. Where are you hiding, Lexi?

Shaun Bossier

Maybe she’s behind the bike shed kissing Dylan and Hayden!☺

Marcus Grady

She better fucking not be!

Jared Crowley

Not helping Bossi! But funny ☺

Simon Hastings

We all know she’s hiding from you smothering arseholes.

Hey Lex, I won’t smother you. Where you at, girl?

Garrett Cole

Your presence smothers everyone, Hastings!

Simon Hastings

I’m standing right next to you. I’m not opposed to punching that pretty face of yours, Cole!

Rhys nudges me with her hip, “Who’s texting you? They seem keen. Or obsessive.” She wags her dark brows and glances down at my phone.

Sighing, I move to sit on the step, and Rhys sits next to me, leaning in when I put my phone on my lap, so we are both able to read the bullshit from the guys.

Garrett Cole

Try it, arsehole. I’ll knock you out in one punch.

I glance at Rhys. “I need to do something. It’s getting out of hand.”

Rhys gives me a mischievous toothy grin, and I cave, joining in the boy's group chat.

Lexi West

Garrett and Simon, keep your hands to yourselves!!!

Jared Crowley

There’s our girl!

“Ha! See! Our girl! You totally have a reverse harem.” Rhys