“You batting for the other side now?” he tried to joke, so I flipped him the bird, hearing my teammates snicker in response.

At a loud bang, I looked toward the entrance of the cafeteria. And Shelly entered the room, immediately getting all up in Molly’s face. I watched, fury building within me as she ripped off Molly’s glasses, throwing them to the floor. It happened so fast, I didn’t even have a chance to do anything to prevent it.

“What’s wrong? Momma and Daddy got no money, sweetie? You poor, Molly?” Shelly bitched, loud enough for the entire room to catch every word. I didn’t hear the rest of what else that witch was spitting; my blood was rushing through my ears, drowning out the sound. Molly rose from her seat, a furious look in her eyes, but Shelly shoved her back into the chair.

My patience for dealing with ass**les had worn completely and totally thin, and slamming my fist on the table, I stood and ordered, “Enough!” so loud you could feel the vibrations in the plastic chairs. I glared right into Shelly’s eyes and spat, “Back the hell off her. What are you, twenty-one or twelve?”

The cafeteria came to a standstill at my words and, not giving a shit about Shelly’s reaction, I marched over to Molly, lifted her glasses off the floor, and pushed them back onto her flushed face before pressing my hands to her shoulders in comfort.

“Get your hands off her!” Shelly hissed from beside me, like she had some f**king ownership, some claim on me. I took a quick glance about the room, noting a sea of eyes all staring at me in shock.

This day was going to absolute shit! First my daddy starting on me and issuing threats, now his golden child opening her damn mouth to one of the only two girls I gave a crap about. Fuck knows what my folks were up to. I’d find that out in time, but I was going to stop Shelly’s delusion now, publicly, and cut her down off her high horse.

Feeling an ounce of control settle back over my body, I rounded on Shelly, raising my voice so the entire room could hear. “Get it through your head. We’re not together, never will be. Time to cut the shit.” Pointing at Shelly, I faced the gawping crowd. “Despite what shit she may be spewing, know that I am not with her, never have been, and anything she says is utter bullshit!”

I made sure Molly was okay, then practically hoisted her off her seat and instructed, “Get your purse, Shakespeare. We’re leaving.”

Doing as I asked, Molly followed me out of the cafeteria and into the quad. With every step, I grew more annoyed. No one would even pay Molly an ounce of attention if it weren’t for me, if Shelly didn’t suspect I was into her. A smart chick like Mol wouldn’t even register on anyone’s radar—and their sorry lives would be worse off for it. My girl was getting ripped on because of me, and if she wasn’t so f**king intent on keeping us a secret, I could tell them all that she was mine and they needed to back the hell off her.

Fine. I got it, and I didn’t want to rock that boat too much, scare her off before we’d really had a chance to get going, but she wouldn’t be targeted anymore because of those f**king stupid glasses. I’d make sure of it.

“Romeo, slow down. Where are we going?” Molly panted from behind me. I didn’t stop or give an answer, unable to slow down for fear of marching back into the cafeteria and telling everyone the truth about us.

“Get in,” I ordered through clenched teeth once we reached my truck.

As we left school behind, every second in Molly’s presence calmed me down further, allowing me to ask, “Sure you’re okay?” She hadn’t said a thing since we’d been on the road, understanding that I couldn’t talk right now, that I needed some time to wind down.

Fidgeting nervously, Molly replied, “Yes. A little embarrassed, but I’m fine.”

Embarrassed? Fucking understatement! She hated attention, and today, Shelly had thrust her right into the spotlight.

“How dare she speak to you like that? She’s such a bitch! Why the hell did I waste so much of my f**kin’ time on her?” I snapped, more to myself. I was so pissed I could barely function.

“You took the words right out of my mouth.” Glancing over at Molly and seeing her tiny proud smile at her comment thawed my rage, and I couldn’t help but smile a little in return.

This girl amazed me. Shelly had mocked her parents in front of a good portion of the student body—her dead parents that she never really talked about. But she took Shelly’s vicious dig like a champ, taking the high road, putting me and my typically aggressive reaction to shame.

“Mol, I’m so sorry for what she said to you about your parents. I can’t imagine how that must’ve felt.”

A soft hand stroked across my knee. “You have nothing to apologize for.”

Gripping her fingers, I replied, “Not true. She’s ripping on you because she sees my interest in you. Saw it from our very first kiss. You’re the enemy now, Mol, and I can’t say sorry enough for that. I put you in this position and she’s going to try and make your life hell.”

With a stunning smile, she scooted closer, laying her head on my shoulder, her breath warming the bare skin of my bicep. She was fearless, never giving a shit what others thought. My body relaxed and, wrapping my arm around her shoulder, I ran my fingers through her loose strands of hair. It was the first bit of peace I’d felt in weeks. Right here, right now, just the two of us… it was perfect.

At least it was until she asked, “Rome, who was on the phone earlier, outside the cafeteria?”