I seem to be the only one who still has a voice. “Good. Someone should,” is my response. I know I may have come across as a little accusatory toward Jayson and Julien with that statement, but I get it. I understand Fallon’s meaning. Over the past year, Julien had support from both Elijah and Ryder. Julien and Ryder picked Jayson up when he was at his lowest and living in the bottom of a liquor bottle. They helped Jayson climb back into the light. But who was there for Ryder? Apparently, Fallon was. And knowing that just shot Fallon up several rungs on my ladder of respect.
Fallon sends me a look of admiration for my answer, giving me a nod, and I nod in return. I think maybe Fallon and I understand each other just fine.
“I’m meeting Ryder at the cafeteria. You guys coming?” I bend to get my bag but Jayson picks it up first.
“I’ve got this, Liz.”
Julien stands up and joins us. I take a step to go but look down at Fallon who’s still sitting on the grass. “You coming?”
That wry amusement lights up his face. “Whatever you say, kitten.”
Chapter 21
Jayson
What the fuck is Fallon up to?
Jules and I were at home when Ry texted us to check on Liz. He said Fallon had dragged her off somewhere in the quad near Mason Hall, but he couldn’t leave to go check-up on her. Jules and I immediately left the condo and headed to campus. As soon as we neared Mason, I saw Liz sitting on a bench, Fallon sitting across from her on the ground, like two friends enjoying a chat.
Again, what the fuck?
My fists immediately clench like I’m preparing for imminent battle. Fallon is one of those guys. On the surface, he appears nonchalant and easy-going, if a little weird at times. But underneath lies a soul full of darkness. Ry, Jules, and I have seen it. We participated in it — all the stuff that went down with Marshall and Jacinda in high school. We never wanted Liz to be touched by that. Didn’t want her light to be dimmed by his darkness. So we kept secrets from her. I kept secrets from her, and those daggers of regret still pierce me today.
I also don’t get Ry’s relationship with Fallon. It’s like Fallon has a hard-on for our boy. He definitely has a hard-on for Liz. Makes me want to punch the fucker a few times, like right now, for instance. Fallon also has a soft spot for my brother. Me, however? He hates my fucking guts. The feeling is mutual.
When we approach Liz and Fallon, Jules, always the peacemaker, sits down next to him, and I take a possessive seat next to my girl. I reach across the back of the bench, making sure Fallon notices my position with Liz. He does. He smirks at me. Asshole.
I sit back and listen to Fallon, Liz, and Julien go back and forth. Just mundane stuff about Julien being scouted by the men’s soccer team and everyone’s college plans. Liz asks Fallon why he’s even at CU and he shocks the hell out of me and Jules when he says he’s here for Ry. I can’t wait to bring that up with Ry later. I have no clue what he means, but from the looks passing between him and Liz, it seems like she understands perfectly. Then Liz stands up.
“I’m meeting Ryder at the cafeteria. You guys coming?”
I bend to pick up her bag off the ground. “I’ve got this, Liz.”
Julien and I start walking with Liz toward the cafeteria, but she stops.
“You coming?” she asks Fallon.
Fallon’s face lights up and my jaw tics. “Whatever you say, kitten.”
It annoys the hell out of me when he calls her that.
Me: Heading to the cafeteria now.
Ry: Just got out. On my way.
We meet Ryder at the front of the cafeteria building. His eyes scan over Liz then move to Fallon.
“What’s up, man?” Ry fists bumps Fallon.
“All’s cool, hoss. You can relax.” Ry and Fallon seem to have an entire conversation with their short exchange. Ry’s tense posture relaxes, and he claps Fallon on the back before acknowledging the rest of us.
Liz gives Ryder a hug that seems to linger a little bit longer than I would’ve liked, then he turns to greet me and Julien. Several girls have slowed down as they walk past our group. We’re all known around campus, especially Fallon. Girls seem to want to ride his rich dick all the time, even though he’s an entitled ass and treats them like shit. Julien gets the attention of girls that want to hook up with someone from a sports team; it doesn’t matter which sport. I get the attention of crazy girls obsessed with fighters. Like I’m going to be all Christian Grey in bed or something. Ry has his fair share of racing groupies. I hear one girl say my name and I scowl at her. She just giggles and sends me a flirty wave, so I ignore her instead.
The five of us walk into the cafeteria and a high-pitched, surprisingly loud voice yells out Elizabeth’s name. Some short girl with dark hair is jumping up and down, another dude sitting beside her at one of the back tables. By the look on his face, he is not happy. What’s this fucker’s problem? Then Fallon steps forward and leads the way over to where they are.
Liz towers over the smaller girl and has to bend down to hug her before taking a seat next to her. The rest of us follow.
“Guys, this is Meredith and Trevor from my Lit class. We do the study group together.”
