“No one from GU has reached out to Tavi or me.” I shrug. “Maybe it’s like Tavi thought. Maybe it was sent to the dean, an LDK, and he buried it.”
Erik’s fingers against my back guide me into the dark kitchen. When he turns on the overhead light, it causes me to blink. A headache is forming behind my eyes.
He opens a cupboard and takes down a pair of glasses. “Sit.”
I glance at the rectangular kitchen table. It has a bench on the far side against the wall. If I sit there and he joins me, I’ll be trapped.
Erik turns and studies me with watchful eyes. “One drink. It could help.”
Sitting on the edge of the bench, I rest my clasped hands on the tabletop. “Tavi’s not staying on campus. She’s dropping her classes. I’m thinking about it, too. The deadline for a drop is two days after Nationals. I can leave school after I compete.”
He sets a fizzing drink in front of me. I sniff it. Gin and tonic, I guess. He has one too and sets it on the edge of the table.
“What’s the plan after you drop your classes?”
“I don’t know.”
“Move back to Boston for a while?”
“No. I could visit my nanna in Florida for a bit. After that, I’m not sure.”
“We could travel. Once I find Casanova and he’s dealt with, I’ll be free to take you anywhere.”
I exhale. “It’s five days until Nationals. Eight days left to drop classes without an incomplete. You think you can find him in that time?”
“Maybe not, but I can help you do whatever you need to do. I’ll cover your rent. There’s a place in Maine that’s great as a retreat. You could rest and regroup.”
“I’m not you. I can’t live in the woods.”
“I’m not talking off-grid. Just in nature. I’ll stay with you whenever I’m not working on this, and—”
He’s crazy.
“No. Thank you, but no.” I drain my drink, shivering again. “I’ll sleep with Tavi tonight. We’re both shaken.”
“I want you with me.” When I don’t answer, he frowns silently, backing up as I stand. “You think I handled tonight wrong?”
“I don’t know,” I whisper. “I’m just tired of all this. I hate this place. When I leave here in a week, I’m never coming back.”
“I’m not asking about school. I’m asking about us.”
“All I know is this entire campus is full of men who are dangerous and violent. After Luis, I swore I wasn’t going to be involved with anyone like that. The insomnia and nightmares arekillingme. And here I am again. This place is your priority, despite the violence. Or maybe even because of it. Fighting so viciously… violence seems to come naturally to you.”
“That’s an unfair characterization. I didnothave a choice tonight.”
“No, but even when there’s a choice.”
The fight pit with Luis. Becoming a Dark Knight. Hunting Casanova. All his own choices. And his highest priority.
“What are you saying, Arya?” He reaches out, and I shrink back. Maybe I shouldn’t but I can’t help myself. His brows furrow in surprise. “You want me to let you go?”
My voice is made mostly of breath. “I don’t know.”
“You do know.” His jaw muscles work as he clenches his teeth. “I stood between you and half a dozen men who were trying to hurt you. I made it so they had to gothroughme to get to you.” His tone is angry. Rightfully so, I guess.
Tears blur my eyes. “I know.”
“All right.” He walks to the sink and tosses the contents of his drink into it. “I guess there’s nothing more to talk about.”
