Page 20 of The Chaos You Crave

"Sure."

Gabby’s pink-hued hair was wavy today and she wore a neon pink pleated skirt, black graphic tee, and platform boots. She looked like she just walked out of Hot Topic. She was freaking adorable, not just because of her small stature and button nose. She exuded a weird confidence–she didn't care what people thought of her. I took that energy and harnessed the shit out of it.

We picked out and paid for our food. I decided on a yogurt parfait that I hoped wasn't expired and a bottle of water. Gabby and I walked to the table where Bronx and Cade sat. They were deep in conversation about something football-related and didn't notice us until I spoke.

"This seat taken?"

"It's all yours," Bronx smiled, his eyes widening as he took in my outfit.

"Damn if I didn't know any better, I'd say we were at Aces," Cade joked.

"I thought you would like it. Sorry if I offended your sensitive eyes," I responded with a wicked smile.

"Oh, I do like it. Hey Gabby, have you ever thought about working at Aces? I bet you'd fill out the uniform real nice," Cade winked at her.

She scoffed as West approached the table.

"I see we're still taking in strays," West said as he sat down.

"Problem Moretti? I'm confused, you want me to sit next to you in art class, yet I'm not good enough to sit at your table at lunch. Worried about your image?"

He looked around the room. "There are plenty of empty tables."

"So go sit at one?"

His eyes flickered to my chest and lingered a little too long. "Why would I go sit at another table when you're the one who's here uninvited?" He asked as he forced his eyes to his tray, poking at a piece of pizza on his plate.

"They're invited. As a matter of fact, if you don't stop being so grumpy, you're going to be removed from our group," laughed Cade. “You seriously need to get laid.” He was kidding around, yet West looked like he wanted to stab him with his fork.

"Don't pick on him, Cade. He can't help thatlittle problemhe has right now," I said with a smirk.

Poor West and his dry spell. Why that guy was in a dry spell was beyond me. No matter how much of a dick he was, he was fucking hot–and bitches around here were fickle creatures.

"I don't have alittle problem, Hawthorne. You of all people know that." West smirked before shoving pizza in his mouth. He cringed and muttered something aboutnot real Italian food.

"I still can't believe we didn't know about you two hooking up.” Cade took a bite of his sandwich and shook his head.

"West wanted to put out an ad in the paper, but I told him I'd tell everyone about the size of his dick," I said.

"No, I mean," Cade laughed. "I mean, we're guys. We talk about who we fuck. Most of the time. Moretti's been holding out on me for some reason."

"I told you. It wasn't a big deal. Barely even remember it," West’s eyes reached mine for a split second and then went back down to his lunch.Liar.

"I've never had any complaints,” I said before taking a bite of my parfait.

"Quite the opposite. We can't go anywhere without guys following her around. It's ridiculous. And exhausting," added Gabby, quite convincingly.

We didn'tgo outunless that included going to a movie or the coffee shop, but my best friend would always have my back, even if that meant a little fib here and there.

"I guess I don't meet West'shighstandards. Blonde, fake tits, annoying laugh that makes you want to gouge your ears out with a screwdriver. That's more on par with his taste."

"Speaking of which..." Bronx rolled his eyes at the sight of Kendra marching to our table.

She was fuming mad, stomping over in her high heels and skin-tight pink dress. She halted once she got to West. "Forget about something?" She spat.

He continued eating but his eyes glazed over with irritation. "No, why?"

"You told me to meet you in the locker room at lunch. Lunch is almost over! Where have you been?"

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