Chapter 6 Fuck you, Rivera

Ginger's POV: 

I stare at the two very veiny hands in front of me, speechless. My mouth only opens and closes like a fish out of water—as opposed to my still-stinging ribcage.

For one, I know I can't take Jayden's hand, I hate the dude.

And if I take Grayson's? Won't that be sort of weird?

Just when I think life can't get any more frustrating, Katelyn’s shrill voice breaks the silence—and the trance, apparently—that everyone seemed to have fallen under.

“My leg!” Her pointy elbow is a dagger on a mission at this point. “I think I sprained my ankle.”

“Excuse me?” I can't believe my ears. Is this girl actually serious, or am I hearing things now?

“I need to get to the Nurse's office,” she announces. “Quickly, before it swells!”

“Let me get things straight.” I shrug off her arm, letting Grayson help me up. “You practically used me as your cushioning pillow when we both fell, yet somehow, ‘you’re’ the one with a sprained ankle?”

Grayson makes a point of glaring at Jayden before shifting his gaze to me. “Don't be like that, Ginny. She probably didn't mean to.”

His words are like larva to my ears.

“Didn't mean to?” I sputter. “You're seriously making excuses for her?”

“No. Hey.” Grayson touches my arm. “What's up with you?” 

Behind him, a student nudges another towards the scene that is us. Anyone who isn't stuck checking out Jayden or Grayson is definitely watching what's going down. 

Katelyn turns to Grayson with a sweetness I don't see coming. “My foot hurts Gray. And Ginger can't seem to get over herself fast enough to actually help me to the Nurse's.”

Gray?

That's it. I charge at her, nails extended and ready to strike.

But Jayden gets in the way.

“Relax Ginger. She isn't worth it.” His fingers curl around my upper arms, two warm vices anchoring me to the present.

“Let go of me Jayden.”

“Not until I'm sure you won't try to harm her again.”

“I won't. Now, let go.”

“Promise?”

“What are we, five?”

“You don't sound very convincing.”

“I said I wouldn't.” I struggle against his hold, my frustration climbing by the second. “So, let. Go.”

“You heard my sister, Rivera. Leave her the fuck alone.” The second I push Jayden away, Grayson’s fist collides with his jaw, knocking him back a few steps.

“Grayson!” My feet move on their own accord, blocking his path, just as the cafeteria explodes with an echo of “oohs” at the ongoing onslaught.

It takes everything in me not to cringe at the use of the word ‘sister.’

“Oh wow.” Jayden massages his jaw, a coy smirk forming on his busted lip. “That's one hell of a right hook for a girl who's meant to be just your stepsister don't you think?”

My ears burn. I wish the ground will just open up and swallow me now.

Grayson leans closer. “The fuck did you just say?” 

“You heard me.”

“You little piece of sh—”

“Stop it you two!” I lodge myself firmer between them, ending the fight before it can escalate. “God, it's like you're freshmen all over again.”

Neither of the duo say anything in response. Both locked in a fierce staredown, chests heaving.

To the random non-student who walks into the lunchroom at this exact moment to see this scene, it would probably look like two guys fighting over the same girl. Right?

Sadly that couldn't be further from the truth.

Because Jayden is the bane of my existence, Grayson's too. They're Rivals. Have been since as far back as I can remember. While Grayson rules over the ice, Jayden reigns supreme on the field as captain of the Bayview Packers; Bayview High's football team.

Unfortunately my rivalry with him runs beyond the playing field. Every session, we tie for first position, and quite frankly, it's been annoying.

If Jayden doesn't get top spot in a session, he's coming in solid second after me. After which you can bet the roles would be reversed next term.

My gaze drops to Katelyn who's silently nursing her now-purpling calf, and I feel a tinge of regret. She wasn't making it up. Still I all but marked her the villain.

I turn to Grayson first. “I think you've done more than enough here. Katelyn needs your help. And you're not helping her by picking a fight.”

The tension that follows is stifling. 

Grayson's eyes pin mine. Rigid and dark. Only, I know it’s not me he's mad at.

The idea of leaving me with Jayden has never been high on his priority list.

After what feels like forever—but in reality, was only two minutes, this gorgeous, dark-haired man eventually sighs and cocks his head at me, skeptical.

“Sure?”

I nod. “Go. It's fine. I can get to class on my own, you know.”

But as I watch him lift Katelyn into his arms bridal style, it suddenly doesn't feel so fine.

Katelyn's arms automatically wrap around Grayson's neck, firm and tight, almost like she's… claiming him? And I don't know what's worse, the fact that Grayson doesn't react to it, or that they exchange a tense look right before he leads her away. 

I shake my head and start packing my scattered books from the floor. Stop being silly Ginger. It's likely nothing.

Instead of stalking off as expected, Jayden actually crouches down to help. “I watched the whole thing unfold,” he announces. “That girl tripped you on purpose.”

I knew it.

“Care to explain why?”

The question takes me aback. Was this boy dropped on his head at birth or something?

“Funny that you should ask, considering the nonsense you just spouted out.”

Honey brown eyes soften in realization. “You’re still mad about what I said to your stepbrother.”

“It's less what was said than what was insinuated.”

“I’m not seeing the problem here.” 

“Of course you aren't.” I stand, making sure to snatch the last of my books from his hands before storming past him.

“Oh, come on.” Jayden spins on his feet, trailing after me with hurried steps. “It was just a stupid joke, Gin Gin. Grow up.”

Grow up? Grow up?!

The urge to strangle something—or rather someone—has never been stronger in this moment.

“You know what?” I meet his stare. “Fuck you, Rivera.”

I resume walking, but Jayden only follows, grating on my last nerve.

“Okay, okay, I admit. That was stupid of me. I’m sorry alright?” He tries, but I keep marching.

“Truce?”

“Not on your life.”

“Fair enough,” he says, wincing slightly as his face splits into a mannish grin that has his dimples curving inward. “I’ll be honest though, it's good to see you again, Ginger. Or I should say, Gin Gin.”

“You know how much I hate that name.”

“And you know how much I love to torment you. I mean—that’s why I use it in the first place.” He flashes me another smirk and begins backing away, eyes flicking to his watch and back.

“Anyways, I've gotta bounce Gin Gin. Got biology in ten and I can't afford to be late,” he says. “See you around.”

I don't see Katelyn or Grayson in the rest of my classes.

When I eventually climb up the familiar porch steps of Blackwood manor early evening, I'm fully convinced all I want is a cold shower and my bed.

Those thoughts go out the window when I do walk in though. Roman and my mom are in the living room with guests whom I vaguely recognize to be Alpha Julian and Luna Druella. The ruling Alphas of Ludacris; a powerful pack from the North.

Roman is glowering at Julian when my eyes rest on him. Standard Alpha protocol for important visits.

Each man retains that hard exterior a little longer, supernatural energies filling the room in waves till it feels hard to breathe..

And then the ice is finally broken when Julian grins and extends a hand which Roman takes, all smiles, pulling him into a hug. 

I blink, drawing in air. “What's going on here?”

That's when they notice my presence for the first time.

“Oh good, you're just in time.” Roman waves me over. “Julian, Druella, you've met my… daughter, Ginger.” 

I nod politely at them, not missing the hesitation in his voice, like he’s worried about moving things up too fast. But I'm not bothered by that.

What does get to me is the fact that leaning right next to Grayson, right foot freshly bandaged, crutches by the wall, stands Katelyn.

THE Katelyn.

I’m staring at her like how I might look at a ghost.

My head tilts in my mother's general direction, not giving more than inch. “Mom? What’s she doing here?”

Something in my expression must seem funny to her, because she smiles.

“Oh, I thought you met earlier. Pardon me for not introducing her properly.”

“Ginger, meet Katelyn,” she says. “Grayson's fiancé.”