Page 22 of Sticks and Stones (Shadow Valley U)

Stone quickly gets out of bed, and I turn to avoid getting a visual of his penis before he puts shorts on. I refuse to show him all my cards right away.

God, he’s fucking hot, and it’s so annoying.

I don’t look at him until his breath warms the top of my head.

His lip is curved up on one side, and his blue glare burns me from the inside out. “I mean, we both already knew you had a strange sense of humor, yeah?”

Stone’s hands are on my hips, and my back is pressed against the door in a millisecond. He moves with agility, and it takes me by surprise.

“Who puts drugs on someone’s truck as a joke but can’t deal with some innocent roommate pranks?”

My breaths are shaky, and I know he notices. I try to backpedal and explain why I’m acting so stupid, but it comes out jumbled. “I… I… I don’t like to be touched when I’m asleep.”

His eyes squint, and his grip on my waist weakens, but only for a second. His face morphs right back to stone—no pun intended—and he whispers in my ear with angry precision. “Then don’t get yourself off in my fucking bed.”

And with that, he pushes me to the side, pulls the door open, and walks with ease down the hall, letting his housemates know that he’ll be ready for practice in ten.

* * *

The few classesthat I had in between my fight with Stone and my shift at Shadow’s help my mood tremendously. Space is the best thing for Stone and me because, after this morning, I was starting to think I should find a new room to stay in.

Surely one of the other housemates would be fine with me staying in their room, although I have a feeling it would put an idea in their head that I am interested in them, and that is a bad idea to think about, let alone act on, because that’s the entire reason I’m in this situation right now.

“You headin’ out, girly?”

I exchange my waitressing apron for my bag and slip the strap over my shoulder. “Yep.” I sigh and open my phone to check if I have any messages. “I’ll see you for tomorrow’s lunch shift.”If I make it that far after staying in a room with Stone for another night.

Walking out of the door and saying goodbye to the rest of my co-workers and a few loyal customers—who are my favorite—I click on my messages. I have several from Jasmin. Nerves tingle my skin as I climb into my car, hoping that it’ll come to life even though thecheckenginelight has been on for nearly two weeks now.

Jasmin

As your best friend, I think it is my duty to warn you before you get back to Evan’s.

Take a breath. It could be way worse.

Text me when you get this.

What?

I quickly type her a text and silently thank God that my cardoesrev to life. Her message comes a moment later after I slip my seatbelt on, and when I look at her message, I find myself pressing on the brake and flinging my car into drive.

My phone flies to the floorboard of the passenger side, but it doesn’t matter. With each quick stop of my car on the way to the rink, I look down and see the photo of me curled up in the bathtub with a caption that’s even more degrading than the viral photo of me posted from Stone’s account.

@stonefoster — homeless girl currently looking for a place to sleep and/or roommate. I found her trying to sleep in my bed without permission, so I carefully moved her to the tub until I can find her a new place. DM for more info. Rehoming fee is waived.

Rehoming fee is waived? Like I’m an animal instead of a human being?

It’s foster care all over again, and Stone knows firsthand how humiliating that caption is, which is precisely why he posted it.

CHAPTER10

STONE

I haveto shut my phone off before practice. My post caught fire, and it’s been shared over two thousand times. Not to mention the likes and comments from people far beyond Shadow Valley.

At first, it was just other students. They were laughing at Wren the same way I was. But then the messages started coming in. Shit about her sleeping intheirbeds. Jokes about her being potty trained or if she knows any tricks.

Insinuating shit that they have no right to insinuate.