He nods. “So they say.”
His friend Liam snorts. “I heard it was suicide.” Then his eyes go to Cross. “I mean, wouldn’t you kill yourself if Cross was your son?”
My eyes narrow on him. “That’s a horrible thing to say.”
He shrugs.
Trenton just shoves him. “I’d like to see you say that to his face.”
Jasmine laughs, and he throws his arm over her shoulders and walks her toward the school along with Liam.
I turn back around, but the Kings are no longer standing by the car. Taking a look around the parking lot, I see a few people standing around. A couple are on their phones. Others are walking to classes. It’s early on a Monday. Jasmine and I have class, but the Kings have ball practice to get to. Turning back toward the door, I go to take a step but run into a hard body. “Sorry …”
My voice trails off when I look up to see it’s Bones. “Hey,” I say, trying to slow my racing heart.
He takes a quick look around. “You shouldn’t be out here by yourself.”
I ignore that statement as he grabs my hand in his. “What’s going on with Cross? I heard about what happened with his dad …”
He yanks me to a stop and spins to face me. The look in his eyes has me taking a step back. “What did you hear?” he demands.
I swallow. “Uh, that ... just that there was a witness who saw him at Oak Grove with his dad and then him leaving right before it burned down …”
He steps into me, and I shut my mouth when he grabs my upper arms, digging his fingers into my skin. “Dillan ….”
“Don’t say a fucking word, Em. To anyone. Do you hear me?”
“What?” My eyes search his. “I don’t know anything … It’s just a rumor …”
“Who told you?”
“Tr …?” I stop myself before I finish that sentence. I don’t wanna throw Trenton under the bus. No matter how much I dislike the guy. And I’m not sure if the Kings are involved in the death of Cross’s dad. But I don’t wanna be responsible for anything that happens. “Dillan …”
“Who the fuck was it, Emilee?” he snaps, using my full name.
“I … I don’t remember,” I lie and hang my head.
He steps into me and grips my chin in his hand. I try to pull away, but it just tightens. “Ow, Bones …”
“Lying to me isn’t going to save him, baby.”
I dig my nails into his forearm as he holds me in place. “You’re hurting me,” I whisper as tears sting my eyes.
His blue eyes search mine for a little longer before he lets go, and I take a step back from him until my ass bumps into my car. Then he turns and walks into the building, leaving me standing in the parking lot all by myself and confused as to what the hell just happened.
I never brought it up again. Bones never let me into his personal life. I never discussed what he and the Kings did, and he never offered any information.
Silently, Cross stands from the table and walks out the door.
“I, uh … can …”
“Sit,” Titan orders with a spatula.
I pull out a chair and fall into it, avoiding Grave’s stare as he goes back to shoving pancakes in his mouth.
“So …” he begins once he swallows.
“Save it,” Titan orders.
