“That’s up to you.” Julian pressed his chin on top of my head. “But whatever you choose, I’ll respect your decision.”
I laughed and then groaned. “I’ll believe that when I see it.”
He chuckled in my ear and shifted, helping me stand to my feet. “Believe it or not, I only want to protect you, Jack.” Julian held me to him, letting me take a few breaths before coming back to reality, a reality that was crushing in on my chest with every second I drew breath.
“I need to…” I pulled back and backed toward the door, feeling the tears burning behind my ears as my voice started to crack. “Thank you, Julian, for telling me.”
“Of course.” Julian stepped toward me, hand out reached as if to stop me, then he dropped it, his expression pained. “And I’m here, if you need anything.”
I nodded quickly, swallowing down the lump in my throat until I was out of his office. Then I let the tears slide down my face. I moved quickly through the halls until I reached my bedroom. I grabbed my helmet and keys, leaving everything else behind. I jumped on my motorcycle and drove, shoving the tears that blurred my vision in the daylight back.
There was only one place a girl could go when she got heart-shattering news.
Home.
Chapter thirty-three
Kyren
Somethingwokemefroma dead sleep. I lifted my head, shifting around to find Tate snuggled up behind me. I stroked my hand down his arm, sinking further into his embrace, then I realized someone was missing.
I sat up, smacking Tate on the chest. He snuffed and let out a snarl. His arms flailing before realizing it was me.
“Kyren, what is it?”
The space beside me was cold, the sheets empty. Jack had been gone for a while. Sniffing the air, I could still smell her scent, so it hadn’t been too long ago.
Why hadn’t she woken us before she left?
The longer she wasn’t in the room with us, the more worried I became. It wasn’t like her to sneak out. More often than not, we were awake before she was, and I had to drag her out of bed for class.
“Where’s Jack?” Tate placed his chin on my shoulder, asking the question I didn’t say out loud.
I shook my head.
Crawling out of the bed, I found my clothes and pulled them on. A quick glance at my phone told me it was after three p.m., still too bright outside for me to go searching for her without some cover.
“Come on.” I threw Tate’s clothing at him.
With both of us dressed, I tried calling her first. Her phone went straight to voice mail. I frowned at the stupid device. I’d only got it because of Tate, not seeing the need for someone to be in constant communication until Jack came along.
“Call her,” I told Tate as I stepped out of the bedroom.
Tate followed after me, his phone pressed to his ear. “Voicemail. Where do you think she went?” He pulled his lip ring between his teeth, worrying it.
Not answering him, I quickly sent my shadows out. They checked the bathroom ahead of us and didn’t find her there. Then Tate’s room.
Not there either.
“Her helmet is gone,” I told Tate, moving toward the front door of the dorms.
“Wait.” Tate grabbed my shoulder. “You can’t go out there right now. As much as I want to find Jack, I don’t want to lose you, too.”
I glared at his hand, hating that he was right. “You go.”
“I’ll find her.” Tate cupped my face and kissed me. “Just go relax.”
I made a face which resulted in him laughing.
