“How could you?”

Dalen turned around at the sound of the trembling voice of a boy behind him. Anger laced the tone, coupled with fear. He frowned at the boy standing before him. He was short and thin, with a mass of pimples. His blond hair was on the greasy side, and it didn’t look like it had seen a comb this morning. He couldn’t be much past fourteen, so he was probably a freshman. “What? Are you talking to me, kid?”

Though shaking, the kid straightened his spine. “You bastard. She told me what you did to her.” He looked nauseated. “How can you do such a thing? How can you play with people like that?”

He had to struggle not to yawn. “What’re you talking about?”

“Denise Handy,” the kid spit out furiously. “She was part of your game last weekend.”

“Oh.” Dalen shrugged. “So what?”

The kid’s hands balled into fists. “She was a virgin. We were waiting for Homecoming—”

Dalen shrugged again. His eyes narrowed when the boy lifted his arm, and he caught his wrist easily. He applied enough pressure to make the kid cry out with pain before he twisted and pushed him against the locker. “Look, kid, I know it was a big deal for her, and you too, but you should thank me.”

His eyes were wide with fear, but he didn’t seem any less angry. “I should thank you for raping my girlfriend?” The last word emerged as an outraged squeak.

Dalen didn’t bother to turn around to see if anyone had heard the kid’s words. Who would care if they had? “Breaking in virgins isn’t any fun. My way was easier.” He grinned at the boy. “Be thankful she doesn’t remember it all, or she wouldn’t want you.”

The boy cried out with anger, but it turned to a muffled whimper when Dalen shoved him more forcefully against the locker. “You hurt her—”

He interrupted before the kid could prattle on about his girlfriend’s emotions. “See, the truth is, the game was a big deal for both of you. It might be the single most earth-shattering moment of her life.” He leaned forward, lowering his voice to a confidential whisper. “But I can’t even remember what she looked like. I wouldn’t know her name if you hadn’t said it. I’ll remember her as number twenty-one.”

Tears rolled down the boy’s face, and he seemed ashamed by them. He ducked his head, refusing to meet Dalen’s eyes. “You’re a monster.”

Dalen laughed and released the kid. He gave him a not-so-gentle shove down the hall, causing the freshman to stumble and fall to his knees. “Don’t bother me again.”

With one last angry glower, the kid picked himself up and hurried away.

Dalen turned back to his locker to take out his books for first period. He shook his head at the kid’s balls, wondering how a freshman had the nerve to stand up to him. Despite his annoyance with the boy’s behavior, part of Dalen admired his moxie for trying to protect his girlfriend.

He wondered if he would ever love anyone enough to risk everything for them. His eyes scanned the halls automatically, but all he saw was a plethora of spoiled, self-centered, rich girls chattering inanely. Not one of them was worthy of his heart, and he moved on, dismissing the idea of finding the love of his life at Breckridge Academy.