“I don’t think you should . . .” I stalled when he fixed me with a pointed stare. “Sorry, go ahead.”
“Close the door.”
I turned and did as he asked.
“I got a very excited but garbled message from Ash. When I finally made sense of it and spoke to my brother, I believe you were accosted this morning?”
Was it just this morning? “Um, yes.”
“My apologies. I thought I had dealt with the lowlife,” Onyx told me as his fingers flew over the keyboard.
I did computer science. I knew my way around a computer. He made me look like I was my Aunt Lola, who still didn’t know where the space bar was but was just “going to press the big button at the bottom.”
Screens opened and closed with such speed that I wasn’t sure he was human. Suddenly, a USB stick appeared, and he plugged it in and then turned to me with a wide, charming smile.
“Tell me about yourself, Mia.”
“Why?” I asked him cautiously.
The smile was gone, and the sardonic smirk I’d seen him wear before appeared. It suited him better. “Because I’m bored.”
“Wow.” I sat on the edge of Ash’s bed. “You must do so well at social gatherings.”
“I tend to avoid them,” he said easily. “I don’t particularlypeople.”
“I can’t say you surprise me,” I replied. “Well, I’m nineteen, music performance major, I do a few electives in computer science, and Ava is my best friend.”
Onyx yawned. “Did I fall asleep?”
“Your manners are shocking. Quinn told me your mom was a lady.”
“She is. She raised Devils though, little Mia.” He turned to check the screen and clicked a few times before he was downloading something else. He turned back to me. “Now, Mia Celia Davis, born of Gloria Davis, July third, makes you a what? Cancer?” When I nodded, he continued. “Lived in Knoxville your whole life, mom’s an . . . I want to say actress, but I’ve seen the show.” He looked at me with mocking sympathy. “Why would an actress live in Knoxville, I hear you ask.” Onyx paused. “Something tells me it’s to do with the unknown father. Hmm?” His eyes danced with mirth. “Mom knows though, doesn’t she?” He leaned back in the chair with his legs crossed as he assessed me.
“I would hope so, she was there,” I retorted sarcastically. “What’s your point?”
“My point? I’m getting there.”
“Please hurry, the suspense is killing me.”
His face was a mask, and I wondered suddenly what his sex face was. The randomness of my thought made me giggle.
Onyx’s head tilted to the side, and he looked at me with curiosity. He made me nervous.
“Are you done?” he asked me quietly.
“Yes.” I caught myself from saying “sir.”
“Your GPA is three point eight, not as good as Ava, but then again, your voice is better. It’s your voice you plan to make a career in. But you’re street smart enough to know you need a backup in case you fall flat like dear old mom.”
“Why are you telling me about myself?” I asked sharply. “I’m no one.”
He turned back to the laptop, quickly ejected the USB, and then he was on his feet, putting his suit jacket back on. “No one isno one, everyone is someone, and you, Mia Celia Davis, are someone who’s piqued my curiosity.”
“Why? I think I’m too young for you.”
He barked out a laugh, and I was amazed at how human laughter made him. “You can keep fucking my cousin, Mia. My tastes run a little darker.”
Not a surprise. At all. And somewhat of a relief.
