I turn to look up at Big Tom and before I can think twice about it the disappointment spills from my lips loud enough for Mav and his buddy to hear, “I swear this day has been nothing but a waste of my time and energy.”
Climbing in the driver’s seat, Big Tom moves to the passenger side next to me. I back out of the car space. Being a petty bitch, I reverse way too far backwards so my bumper would nearly be kissing Maverick’s bike.
“Tristan,” Big Tom warns under his breath, but I’m stuck holding Maverick’s gaze in my mirror as my mood keeps souring.
Yeah, maybe I don’t have the right to be acting so precious given my own predicament but in my mind I’m sure I do.
“Yeah, yeah. Let me be petty.” I smile overly fake at him while putting the car in gear and driving off a lot less flashy than I’d like.
Of course, it’s tense as we drive, the miles we put behind us doesn’t do anything to disperse the mood either and it gets to the point I think I’m going to suffocate in his anxiety. Big Tom keeps talking on his phone and checking around us and I get it’sto keep me safe but after ten miles I put my indicator on and pull off to the side of the road.
“You can’t be serious,” he growls when I twist to look at him.
“I am. We’re breaking up, Big Tom. I knew Tonka would come between us, and he’s always going to,” I say, patting his knee before I point at the door.
“King won’t be happy,” he grumbles as he climbs out of the car.
“I suspect you getting out of my car will make King a lot less crabby actually.” And there’s not much he can say to that, because it is probably very true. “Thank you for getting me out of there. And let’s not talk about the holding hands thing, it’s awkward enough.”
“You want to talk about the Maverick thing then?”
“God no.” I laugh, waving him to shut the door a bit faster than he is currently. I know he’s just concerned but honestly, I’m exhausted after the rollercoaster day I’ve had.
Driving off, my phone pings once and I open it to read at the first set of lights. Reading the most recent threat about actually selling me to the Death Riders is the ending of a shitty day I didn’t need. Putting my phone back down, it stays quiet the rest of the way back to Unity. It would be good to hear from King, but he’s probably neck deep in MC drama. A part of me thinks it would be good to hear from Maverick too, because that’s going to be an interesting conversation. Not.
Driving down the entry to Unity it’s quiet and most of the lights are off in the main buildings which makes sense given we’re not far off from curfew. The guards wave me past without wanting to chat knowing how pissy the Omega Mothers get when students are not locked in their rooms for the night. I’m not overly worried, but at the same time I decide not to push the special consideration I’ve already got from the faculty, instead I only grab out my smaller rolling case and try to pile everythingon top of it. Packing light is not something that fills me with joy. I don’t know if I’m super tired but as the doors start to close, I swear I hear the unmistakable noise of a bike accelerating past slowly.
A text comes through and I stop the lift hoping it’s King telling me to sneak outside but instead it’s a reminder from my parents about the opening of a new wing at the community hospital I need to be at tomorrow.
Our apartment is dark, all my besties tucked up early for the night, except for Heidi who’s still at her office pumping out the report. After a quick snuggle from Raney and Simona I take the world’s longest shower. Not that it’s relaxing, the whole time I’m waiting for a text or call, but my phone stays quiet.
Chapter
Fifteen
TRISTAN
Twenty-three texts from Maverick and one missed call from King. Considering I’m a nosy bitch, it’s not hard to figure out who I call first.
Maverick picks up on the first ring. “I didn’t think you’d call.” The tone in his voice is light years from the one yesterday where he told me to fuck off.
“Trust me, I nearly didn’t. Call me inquisitive but I need to know if you lied to me.”
“I’m not patched, Tristan. Please, you have to believe me,” he says quietly, his voice echoes as he closes a door by the sounds.
“I believed you yesterday, now I’m feeling like an idiot which is why I called, hoping you could explain what the hell happened,” I offer, rolling onto my side.
“You’re not an idiot. It’s a complicated story but I’ll fill you in on all the details, Tristan. We could do it right now, I could pick you up for breakfast in under thirty minutes. You’re at Unity, right?”
“I can’t. I’ve got classes this morning, and an appointment this afternoon. What happened after I left?” I interrupt him.
“Not much. We chased shadows until the police started harassing everyone.”
“Why were you there then, Maverick?”
“One of my pack needed me, so I went. You were not meant to be there.”
“So, you’re saying if I wasn’t, I’d never know? I’d be none the wiser?”
