Chapter 7 MUSE

CHAPTER SEVEN | MUSE

RILEY MOORE

Jaxon looked taken aback by my question, but his expression morphed into something I couldn't read almost immediately, which only increased my suspicions about him.

“What are you hiding from me, Jaxon?” My voice was firm but quiet.

“Why would you think I have anything to do with this? Do you really think I'd go out of my way to hurt you and then pretend to help you? I have better things to do, Riley.”

He walked ahead of me, seemingly angry that I'd even suspect he had a hand in my problems.

“I asked you a question. Why are you getting defensive? If you're as innocent as you claim, you'll just answer it like a normal person would.”

He stopped in his tracks and turned toward me, glaring.

“I saw a hooded figure climbing through your window yesterday. That was the only reason I alerted you. Nothing else. I know nothing, and I'm only trying to help you because I need a favour from you. Don't overthink it.”

My ears perked up at the mention of the person who had entered my room, and I hurried after him to find out more.

“Why didn't you tell me someone broke into my room?”

“I was going to tell you today. I honestly didn't think it was important. I was waiting for the right time.” He shuffled his feet, looking anywhere but at my face.

I was stunned by the sight before me. For the first time in my life, I witnessed something no one else had ever seen—the king of mischief and heartbreak at Royal High blushing.

It was a beautiful sight to behold. One I wasn't going to let him forget.

A huge smile spread across my face as I pointed at him. “Are you blushing?”

My question only made him blush harder. The redness spread from his cheeks to his neck and the exposed part of his chest. He fidgeted, looking around as though he could find something interesting enough to distract me from his face.

“It's not like I was stalking you or anything. I just wanted to make sure you got home safely and didn't do anything stupid. Not everyone is as strong as you think, you know.”

My heart warmed at the realization that he'd been looking out for me.

“That's so sweet. I didn't know you had it in you to be human.” I teased.

He rolled his eyes, a small smile playing on his lips. “Oh, please!”

I burst into laughter as we continued down the hallway toward class.

“How do you know where I live, though? Did you stalk me?”

“I know Brian's house, and I know you're his sister. I just went there.”

I frowned, surprised that he knew where the person he hated most lived.

“That's strange. Why would you know where he lives? You hate his guts, and he detests your existence.”

Jaxon went quiet, and for a moment, I thought he wasn't going to answer. Then he mumbled, “We were best friends before shit went down.”

I gasped, unable to believe what I was hearing.

“You can't be serious! Are you for real?”

“Yes, I am. He was my best friend. I know pretty much every corner of your house. I practically grew up there because my parents were nonexistent.”

Even though he tried to hide the pain in his voice, I could hear it clearly. He was hurt.

I could barely believe that the guy I'd always thought was a shallow asshole who would walk over anyone to get what he wanted actually had so much depth to him.

After a few minutes of silence, I reached for his arm and gave it a gentle squeeze.

“I'm so sorry.”

He shrugged. “I'm used to it already. But I could get used to you holding my hand, babe.”

Just as quickly as my hand had found his, it left him.

He couldn't even be vulnerable for a minute without saying something stupid. To think I'd actually felt bad for him.

“You're an ass!” I yelled before turning sharply toward my classroom.

I expected him to head to another classroom, but he followed me inside.

“What are you doing? You're not in my class.” I had art this period, and I knew he didn't share it with me.

All eyes turned toward us the moment we stepped into the classroom, but the one that felt as though it was drilling holes into my forehead belonged to Brian.

This was our class. The one place where we'd always looked forward to bonding over our shared love of drawing, and I'd just dragged his nemesis into it.

“Nice of you to join us, Miss Moore,” Mr. Smith, the art teacher, said with a sneer, causing my face to flush with embarrassment.

“I'm sorry, sir.”

He pointed at Jaxon. “And who's the friend you've brought with you?”

I couldn't help casting a quick glance at Brian, who was practically fuming. To make matters worse, Jaxon stepped forward and extended his hand to Mr. Smith, a charming smile on his face.

“I'm Jaxon, sir. Riley's boyfriend. I had a free period and decided to come with her, too. She isn't feeling well, and I wanted to make sure she got here safely.”

The whole class erupted into a chorus of “Awwws,” embarrassing me even further.

At this point, I was convinced that the price I had to pay for Jaxon's help was enduring constant embarrassment at his hands.

Mr. Smith gave me a once-over. Maybe it was the bags under my eyes or the fact that I'd been yawning every few seconds, but he seemed to decide that I really wasn't feeling well and let the matter go.

“Would you like to be our muse, Jaxon? Brian was supposed to be our subject of inspiration today, but since you're here and you don't take this class, you can help us out instead.”

“It would be a pleasure, sir.”

I walked over to my seat, which was unfortunately beside Brian's, and sat down, avoiding his gaze.

I watched Jaxon take off his shirt and lower his trousers just enough to make entirely inappropriate thoughts invade my head before climbing onto the podium and striking the perfect pose.

I swallowed hard and turned away when he winked at me.

“We need to talk,” Brian whispered in my ear, gripping his pencil so tightly that I half expected it to snap.

To make matters worse, Jaxon's voice rose above the excited chatter of the girls gushing over him.

“Draw me, babe.”