“Interruptions come at the worst time, I swear.” With a little groan, he pulls his phone out of his pocket, then comes to a complete stop as he reads. “Holy shit.”
Alarm streaks through me, and my skin goes cold. “What’s wrong?”
I’m overwhelmed by instant, pervasive anxiety about whatkind of news could trigger so many alerts on Connor’s phone. A headline about a student, perhaps?Second Student Death at Wickham Academy…
My fingers itch to reach for my own phone, to see if Peter or Whitney texted me. Theywouldtext me if something happened, right? Peter might not think to include me, but surely Whitney …
“I set up Google notifications for my father’s name, so I know when he’s mentioned somewhere online.” He lifts his head, his gaze meeting mine. “An article about the case published not five minutes ago on a major news site.” He pauses and glances at the phone again like he has to confirm what he just read. “Freddie’s dad has been arrested, and my dad … it says he’s the centerpiece of a sting operation orchestrated by the National Crime Agency.”
“What?” My earlier alarm has been replaced by complete and utter shock. “Does this mean your father was never guilty in the first place?”
Connor grins. Oh, he looks pleased. “That’s exactly what it means.”
“Oh my God. Connor.” I hug him, and he holds me close while burying his face in my neck. His entire body seems to relax against mine, and I tighten my arms around him. This changes everything for Connor and his family. “That’s incredible. Like, legit not believable. And amazing! You must be so happy right now.”
He pulls away so we can look at each other. “It’s all such a relief.”
His reaction is big, but not quite as big as I think it should be, considering the circumstances. How heavily hisfather’s supposed crime has weighed on him. How it changedeverythingfor him at school. “Did you know? About your father working with the NCA?”
He pulls his bottom lip under his top teeth, buying time. I lift a finger to his mouth and gently pull his lip free. Without saying a word, I want him to know that he can tell me anything. That a lie won’t end what’s between us—especially not one as important as this.
“I didn’t have any idea at first. I couldn’t believe it when my father was first arrested. That he would eventhinkof stealing from his clients seemed totally ludicrous. It must have, for anyone who really knows him.” His expression turns grim. “I felt it in my soul from the start that he couldneverhave done what they said he did. He’s the best man I know. He always has been.”
“You said ‘at first,’” I point out, curious. “Does that mean …”
A ragged exhale leaves him. “An agent from the NCA contacted Mum earlier this week. She told me there would be a break in the case soon and that it would be good news.”
Smiling, I reach out and cradle his stubble-roughened cheek. “That’s wonderful. You must be so happy.”
He leans into my touch, his expression serious. His smile has faded, and even his eyes are dim. Troubled. “You’re not angry at me, are you?”
“Angry?” I drop my hand from his face and rest it on his chest, right above his thrumming heart. “Why would I be?”
“I’ve kept this from you for days.” He hangs his head. “I felt terrible about it, too. My mother made me swear I wouldn’t tell a single soul until the news was announced, andI promised her I’d stay quiet. But it killed me that I couldn’t tell you, Billie.”
It’s downright laughable, thinking about all the secrets I’m keeping from Connor and here he is, overwhelmed with guilt for keeping a secret for actual legal purposes. His biggest sin is nothing but a small omission, while mine is an outright lie. Multiple lies. A whole identity’s worth. His secret is a tiny pebble compared to the mountain of untruths I’ve built.
I touch his face again, forcing him to look at me. “Sometimes you have to hide the truth in order to protect the people you love. I could never be angry at you for that.”
He smiles and drops a kiss on the tip of my nose. “You’re the perfect girl, you know that? Always there for me. Always compassionate and understanding.”
The corners of my eyes sting with tears, and I blink them away, not about to let him see me cry. I am far from the perfect girl. What is he going to think when he finds out my truth? How will he react? Eventually it’ll all come out and he’ll discover my connection to Isla. Will he be hurt? Furious? Will he refuse to talk to me ever again? I wouldn’t blame him if he turned me away.
A cold gust of wind whips around us, and I shiver. “It’s getting cold out here. Let’s keep walking,” I suggest.
Connor takes my hand, and it remains in his grasp for the rest of the walk to my building. He even escorts me inside, all the way up the three flights of stairs, and delivers me to the door of my room. Considering his own dorm is located on the west side of campus, in the complete opposite direction of mine, the chivalry seems especially sweet.
“Wow, such excellent service,” I tease.
“When I said I’d walk you home, I meant it.” He smiles and leans in, kissing me briefly. I reach for him before he can pull away, my hand against the back of his neck to keep him in place. He kisses me again. And again. Our lips parting. Our tongues tangling.
He rests his hands on my hips and presses me against the door while he devours me. The kiss becomes heated fast, and my mind starts to float. Contemplating if I should invite him inside. Hopefully Priya isn’t in there …
His phone rings, but he ignores it, as do I, though the sound brings me back to reality. To the fact that we’re making out in the hallway, where anyone can see us. Belinda wouldn’t hesitate to make a private moment public, but this? I want this just for me.
The ringing stops, but only for a brief moment before it starts again. I try to pull away from him, needing the distance so I can gather my wits about me, but his grasp on my waist is too firm.
“What if that’s your mom?” My breaths are coming heavy and fast, as are Connor’s.
