I eyed him closely, wondering why they’d think I needed a bulletproof car to be safe. Did they know about the shooting at my last school? Was my cover blown already?
No. They’d have said something if they knew.
Most probably it was how I’d reacted to the gun being pulled in my face, and they assumed this would keep me from another panic attack. Actually…knowing it was bulletproof did ease a small sliver of tension I’d been carrying about leaving the school.
“Thanks, that does make me feel safer.”
Ethan smiled, and after ensuring I was buckled in, strolled around to the driver’s side.
The back door opened as he got in, and I spun to see Connor sliding onto the seat. “What the hell are you doing?” I asked, annoyed that he was here. It might be his car, but dangerous or not, I’d rather take a fucking bicycle than drive with this asshole.
“I need some shit from the store,” he said simply, relaxing against the leather. “You’ll barely even notice that I’m here.”
Right. Because it was easy to forget six and half feet ofasshole, who looked like a Greek god, with the personality of a garden gnome.
Ethan looked equally unimpressed. “Act right when you’re out with us, Connor.”
Connor held both hands up in front of him as he shrugged. “I’ll be a perfect angel as long as Evelyn is one.”
Deciding that my best bet ofbothof us surviving was for me to ignore him. With that in mind, I focused on Ethan. “What classes other than Economics of Crime do you teach here?”
There was a snort from the back. “Finally remembered that he’s a teacher, did you?”
Ethan took a cue from me, ignoring Connor as he proceeded to explain all the courses he was involved in at the college. He was awfully young to be such a highly regarded professor in an even higher regarded college, but apparently, he’d graduated high school two years early—and was somewhat of a genius.
He never said it in so many words, but I could read between the lines.
It was relaxed and easy to converse with Ethan, made even more enjoyable by how frustrated Connor got every time he made a comment and we continued to pretend he wasn’t there.
With his good looks, money, and power, it was clear that he’d rarely—if ever—had his presence ignored. But none of that shit would fly with me. You had to bring more to the table than superficial status symbols for me to give you my time or energy.
Sure, it might be a bit petty, but he’d been asking for it. If he wanted to be treated with respect, then he needed to return the favor. And soon.
Otherwise, the next six months of us all living in Bluebell House were going to feel like ten years.
13
EVELYN
We managed to make it through the hardware and grocery store without incident. Connor was on his best behavior, without a single snarky comment crossing his lips. He even lent his muscles to help get the sander, scraper, tools, and many gallons of paint into the back of his SUV.
He helped me get through Andrew’s list and even joined in when I added my own array of junk food, much to Ethan’s amusement. “Weird to see you not acting like an asshole. I’m starting to get concerned.”
Connor shrugged. “Don’t get used to it. I’m just trying to keep the peace for a few minutes.”
Something told me Ethan was absolutely not getting used to it. He’d been so great during our outing as well, and for a brief moment, as we argued about how to tell if the watermelon was ripe, it was almost as if we were a couple, doing our weekly shopping.
No attachments.Despite how familiar and safe they felt, these guys were strangers, and I couldn’t forget it.
No one had to show their identification when we reentered the college grounds, and when I asked about it, Ethan said, “Connor has special privileges that wouldn’t be afforded to most.”
Shocker.
I was surprised when Connor didn’t make a comment about how much better he was than me, choosing to just sit in the back surrounded by grocery bags. When Ethan pulled up in front of the house, Andrew and Haze were already waiting, and I was left to twiddle my thumbs as the four men carted everything into the house. Oh, wait, they did let me carry the smallest grocery bag that only held extra cleaning supplies.
“That’s what we’re here for,” Haze said shortly, carrying so many bags that I couldn’t see his damn arms. He was determined to get half of everything in one trip, and he did it with style.
Deciding my time was best spent putting it all away, I took out the cleaning supplies first and wiped down all the shelves in the pantry, fridge, and freezer. Thankfully, the appliances were fairly new, and after I got all of the cold and frozen items away, I moved on to organizing the pantry.
