You never really listened when your friends told you to stay away from Hawk. How could you? The guy behind the name had once been your best friend. Maybe. It was hard to say now, a frozen-in-time work in progress after everything he’d done. He messed with you, your friends—he even broke Demetri’s arm. Eli was gone, replaced by someone sharper, cockier, with that ever-present smirk that made your stomach twist in the worst—and best—way.

He needed to be humbled. Not that you could be the one to do it. No, you always melted right into his arms whenever he pulled you in, whispering sweet nothings like he hadn’t just spent the whole day making your life miserable.

You thought you had Eli back, only for Hawk to come crashing in like nothing had changed. “I’ll see you later, ‘kay?” he’d say, all soft and familiar, only for him to go back to tormenting you at school. And after? He’d pull you somewhere secluded, apologize like he meant it, like he wasn’t about to do it again tomorrow. And you—like an idiot—would nod along, letting him reel you in every time.

“So obedient,” he’d murmur, that smirk on his lips, knowing exactly what he was doing to you. It pissed you off. It made your knees weak.

Today was no different. Why would it be?

“Eating with your group of losers again, huh?” His voice was low, smug, his lips almost brushing your ear as he leaned in close. His breath sent a shiver down your spine, and he saw your clenched fists under the table, looking like you were trying so hard not to react. His friends snickered behind him, only making it worse.

Then, with a raised brow and a chuckle, he added, “Why don’t you come use your mouth for something better than eating?”

And just like that, he walked off, his friends trailing behind him, leaving you there to process.