Nerd's Badboy Alpha novel Chapter 4

We finally reach his truck, where he dumps my gym bag in the back. We both get in and he reminds me again to put on my seatbelt.

"Wait, I gotta go find my backpack. I had to ditch it earlier when I had to run from those hyena assholes."

He gives me a playful punch on the shoulder, like buddies do to each other. "I got your back. I already have it."

I rub my shoulder. Maybe to him, it was just a painful punch, but it really hurt. "What?"

"I saw it happen. I was heading home from practice when I saw those punks chasing after you. I picked up your backpack and followed you in my truck."

"Why?"

He turns on the ignition. "Do you always ask so many questions? You were in trouble, I helped you. If I hadn't, you'd be hyena chow now." He put his arm over the headrest of my seat so he could back out of the parking space.

"Sure, and don't think I'm not grateful. But how often do you play hero? Do you often go out of your way to help some girl you've never even spoken to get out of a dangerous mess?"

"A dangerous mess?" He snorts. "Did you not see how far I tossed that hyena punk?" He returns his attention to the road and scratches his chin. "And no, I don't usually go out of my way. I actually have a date tonight that I missed because I'm driving your ass home, instead. I saw you were in trouble, and I just... I don't know, I felt like I had to help you, all right? Jeez."

"Well, thanks. And I'm sorry you missed your date. Felt you had to help me, huh?"

"Call it noblesse oblige."

My mouth drops open and I slap his upper arm. Then promptly shake my hand to ease the pain because the guy is as solid as a tree. "Noblesse oblige? Aha, you do acknowledge that you're on a higher level than I am."

He chuckles. "Only from the standpoint that I'm four times bigger than you are. Will you just sit back and relax, Melanie? Be grateful you're alive."

"Oh, and I'm sorry about hitting you."

"You hit me? I thought you were just tapping me to get my attention."

I grimace and settle into my seat miserably, crossing my arms over my chest. There is no way in the world this is actually happening, but it is. I am sitting in the truck of Alex Royce, BMOC and hottest guy in school, and he's driving me home. Until today, I honestly doubt he even knew I existed. "And it's Melody."

He gives me a sidelong glance. "What is?"

"My name. It's Melody Gabrys, not Melanie."

"Oh." He seems to consider that for a moment. "You're not a Ramsey?"

"Not by blood, no. My bloodline isn't from my Alpha." I join my hands together on my lap and start cracking my knuckles. "It's from the Alpha's wife, my Aunt Ruffia. My father was her younger brother. She's not our Luna. My uncle's cousin is."

"Hey, stop that." He reaches out and pulls my hands apart. "It's bad for your joints. And the sound is annoying. Melody, huh? That's pretty. I'll call you Mel. Is that cool?"

I turn in my seat and squint at him. "I can't tell if you're messing with me or not. Why are you asking my permission on anything? You know you can call me whatever you want. I'm a runt. You're Apex. I'm basically your bitch."

He grins at me. "Does that mean I can make you do anything I want right now?"

I can't explain this, but the whole time I've been with him, I've only felt safety and security. I just have this feeling deep inside me, as sure as I know my name, that he'll never hurt me. But now I'm nervous. What does he want? I've never even been kissed before. "Uh..."