Poser by Cambria Hebert Read Free Book Online Page A

breathing lurched. He seriously wasn’t going to say something about that picture Missy released of me and Zach, was he? Surely he wouldn’t dare… The Wolves wouldn’t be so callous to one of their own…
    Would they?
    Around my waist, Braeden’s arm tensed, but he didn’t say anything.
    “This girl here is a legend on campus,” the player went on. “She’s the girl who managed to shackle the least dateable guy at Alpha U.”
    Relief and amusement caused me to burst out laughing. Braeden released his hold on my waist to give everyone at the table the finger.
    “I don’t know if shackled is the right word here, guys,” I joked. “I think trained is a better choice.”
    Everyone howled.
    Braeden leaned over and whispered, “You’re gonna pay for that later, baby .”
    That was the most delicious threat I’d ever been served.
    I batted my eyes at him innocently.
    “Where’s your dog tags, B?” one of the guys ribbed. “Did you get your rabies shot yet?”
    I laughed, finally feeling at ease for the first time today. At least I was being accepted by Braeden’s friends.
    Trent caught my eye and smiled. I returned it, glad he didn’t seem to hold a grudge that I pretty much brushed off his attempts at dating me to be with Braeden. He said it wouldn’t get in the way of our friendship, but then school ended and summer began… and no one heard from him at all.
    But that didn’t matter, because he looked good as ever and there wasn’t the slightest hint of anything but kindness in his eyes when he looked at me.
    Braeden’s arm returned and spun us around. I couldn’t help but wonder if he’d done it on purpose, to break my eye contact with Trent.
    “You guys are funny as hell,” he said sarcastically. “But we came here for coffee.”
    “Grab your stuff and come sit with us,” Brady, the one who called me a legend, offered. “We can talk football, get to know your trainer better.”
    To my surprise, Braeden hesitated. His eyes slid to Trent. It looked like he was debating on whether or not he wanted to sit with him.
    Trent noticed. Hell, I think the entire table noticed.
    An awkward silence descended.
    I cleared my throat. “We’d love to!” I offered a big smile. “Can I get anyone a refill?”
    Everyone shook their heads. Trent stood slowly from the table and picked up a half-empty iced drink. “I actually have somewhere I gotta be. But thanks for the offer, Ivy.” He said my name but still looked at B.
    “Oh, okay. Well, it was good seeing you. I’m sure we’ll see you around campus.”
    “Totally.” He finally looked away from Braeden and smiled. “See ya.”
    Everyone was silent while Trent walked away.
    I looked up at Braeden with a question in my eyes. “What the hell is wrong with you?”
    He grunted. “C’mon.”
    We turned from the table toward the sidewalk that led inside. I was still kind of surprised by the strain between Braeden and Trent.
    Surely he wasn’t jealous Trent and I almost went out last semester?
    I mean, seriously. He knew he was like the be-all, end-all for me.
    I hadn’t even kissed Trent!
    I opened my mouth to tell Braeden what I thought about his ass-like behavior, when someone very familiar stepped out the café door.
    Missy.
    I stopped in my tracks, like someone poured instant super glue right there on the pavement.
    Braeden took a couple more steps before realizing I was no longer at his side. He swung around. “Blondie.” He sighed. “It’s just guy shit.” But his words cut off when he noticed this wasn’t about him and Trent.
    Missy saw me and stopped as well. The door to the café slammed behind her.
    The large latte gripped in her hand complimented her outfit perfectly.
    Her cropped jeans were artfully ripped up, the nude suede wedges on her feet made me want to find a pair online, and the lacey white loose top paired perfectly with the destructed denim. She had on several colored necklaces, a large chunky watch, and her fingernails were