He blinks, and in a daze, a rough word pulls from his lips. “W-what?”
I grin. I love the sound of his voice, even if he doesn’t. “I was actually making another playlist for you this morning, and I guess when I went to title it, I somehow managed to click into the search bar by accident. I was still half asleep, but that song came right up, and it was perfect, I had to add it.”
The smile that lights up Cannon’s face is everything. For a guy who’s had a less than easy life, I think I’d do just about anything to keep making that happen. He tugs me close just as Archer slides off the stool he was seated on.
“Time to head to class, Peaches.”
“Yep,” Kingston nods once as he returns to the kitchen, “let’s fuckin’ go.”
THIRTY-FOUR
ELLIOT
I settlemyself into my seat in chem class after assuring the guys that I’ll wait for them after my calc class so we can head home for lunch together. They’re protective as ever, only I suppose it’s… different now. Maybe not so much about the rules anymore. For that matter, no one has said a damn word about their rules for a long time. And I’ve had plenty of sass to give, especially once the effects of the concussion faded.
Glancing around the huge lecture hall, I find it feels weird to be back in class again. The entire time I was home resting, I felt like I’d been missing out, not just on the class material, either, but on making friends and acquiring study partners outside of the brotherhood. Proof that I’m right can be found in the easy camaraderie of the students in the room as we wait for the professor to get started while I sit quietly, feeling like I know no one.
I’ve also had the idea in the back of my head that Dane has been waiting for me to return to class to talk to me where we’re out of the brotherhood’s earshot and away from cameras. Right up until this morning, I thought he was going to be an ally, but I don’t know what to make of him now. I believed him to be someone who hadn’t told me a lie or broken a promise, the one who had been onmyside from the beginning. But he never let on that he knew Will that well at all when I asked about him. In fact, he blew me off. He’s obviously hiding something. But what?
Does he know who I am? Had Will told him about me? Or were they more of a casual fling?Shit.The questions continue to pile up and the answers are near scarce.
Busying myself tinkering with my phone, I’m so lost in my scrolling that I don’t realize anyone is standing beside me until I notice the shadow over my desk. I jerk in surprise, quickly turning to look up.
It’s Dane, but he looks… tired? That isn’t even the right word for it. On edge? Full of nerves. “Hey. You’re later than usual. What’s up?”
His lips form a tight line. “Oh, nothing really.” He pushes his glasses up on the bridge of his nose. “You know at the end of each year, there’s a house meeting, and we bring up things for consideration.”
I wet my lips, confused by his change of subject, but willing to go with it if it’ll keep him talking. “Like what?”
“Well, among other things”—he glances away for a moment—“I requested that we move the weekly brother party and The Games to Friday or Saturday nights. We hardly ever go to parties, anyway, but when we want to go, there are plenty. Or we could be more flexible about it. I dunno.” He shrugs. “It bothers me that everyone’s all worked up the night before we have classes.”
Oh. Is that what’s bothering him?I tilt my head to the side, studying the groove running down his forehead.Nah.I don’t think that’s it, but I nod, anyway, with an accepting shrug. “I think that’s fair. Maybe the two of us could bring it up together this year. Power in numbers and all that.”Shit.This is time wasted. There’s stuff I need to know. I grit my teeth, unsure how to bring it up.Dammit. Think.
“Could work.” He bends, messing with his backpack for a moment.
While he pulls out his laptop, then goes back again for pen and paper, I can’t resist another peek at the photo of Will and Dane smiling at each other. Chewing on my lips, I blurt, “Hey, Dane—”
The professor claps his hands loudly. “Okay, class. We’re getting started. Quiet down.”
Shit.Dane gives me an apologetic smile and swiftly focuses on the professor.
Meanwhile, I find it difficult to concentrate because the same thought rolls over and over in my head. He knowssomething.
Cops came and searched, looked everywhere. Dane knows this happened andIknow this happened. But he doesn’t have a clue that I know anything about him and Will being…close. They were at least very friendly at one time, even if something happened. He doesn’t know that I’m here for Will.Or does he?Oh my god, I’m going to pull my hair out.
Everything that happened last year was kept very hush-hush, further evidence that the brotherhood has a supremely powerful reach. Would Dane have been part of something that made Will think it was better to run and hide? Could this guy, who my cousin clearly had feelings for, have been part of whatever went down last fall?
When class finally lets out an hour later, I’m chomping at the bit. I may as well have not even attended class, because I got nothing out of it. Dane and I collect our things and make our way out of the classroom. It’s silly the guys feel like I need a babysitter for a fifty-yard walk, but whatever. In this case it comes in handy… and we have ten minutes before my next class starts.
Dane holds the door for me, and we exit the comfort of the air conditioning into the muggy early morning air. My hands clench reflexively on the straps of my backpack, and I slow. Realizing I’m not keeping pace with him, Dane turns, his blond brows furrowing. “You okay?”
I draw in a breath. “Can we talk for a sec?” I give him a hopeful look, biting down on my lip. I don’t even know what to ask or how to formulate the questions I need the answers to. This is a goddamn minefield. I could totally be misreading everything.
He glances over his shoulder, then steps off the footpath with me. “Is this about last night?”
“Only kind of.” I rub a few fingers at my temple. “I’ve noticed a few things, and I’m—” I blow out a hard breath, throwing out my hand in frustration. “I’m just going to say it. That guy last year—Will. Were you close to him?” I wait with bated breath.
Dane’s jaw immediately tightens, and he looks away, grabbing at the back of his neck with his hand. Almost like he’s looking around to see if anyone is listening before returning to meet my gaze. “No. We were initiating together. That’s it.” His teeth clench tightly. He’s blowing me off. Again.
