Before I tell Heather anything, I need to know if I can fix things with my older stepbrother.
Ares notices that I’m looking at him.
He meets my gaze for a second but then looks away. His stoic expression is even harder to read than usual.
“Let’s get out of here.” He bites out. “We have a lot to figure out. I would like to think that things will look better in the morning, but you three got yourselves in such a fucking shitshow that I can’t see a way out.”
The worst thing is that he isn’t wrong.
Chance and Lev pile up in the backseat of Heather’s car. They barely fit as it is, so I’m surprised when Ares makes a move to join them.
“Let me sit in the back. This car isn’t built for three big men.”
Ares’s eyes slide from me to Heather in the driver’s seat. “I guess.”
“Zara is right, Ares.” Heather provokes him. “Come sit in the front. I’m not going to bite, even if you deserve it.”
He rolls his eyes but gets into the passenger seat once I’m settled between Chance and Lev. “Lucky for me, my tetanus shot is up to date.”
“You’re such an asshole.” Heather growls, backing out of her parking spot.
“Easy there.” He chuckles. “Maybe I should get a rabies shot too.”
Chapter 4
Safe And Sound
LEV
“Zara, you can ride with me.” Heather offers when we get back to our vehicles parked on Greek Row.
“Hmm, I’m not going home. I’m staying at Lev’s tonight. I already texted my mom to let her know.”
The sheriff’s daughter rolls her eyes. “Duh, I know. If we’re discussing the situation, I think I should come too.”
I look at Chance and Ares, and by the look on their faces, I know we’re all on the same page. It’s nice that we can still agree on some things. Maybe there is some hope that Chance and I will be able to salvage our relationship with Ares despite the events of the last twenty-four hours.
“Actually, Heather,” I use my gentlest tone. “It would be better if you went home. It isn’t that unusual that Zara and Chance spend the night at my house. And no one ever keeps tabs on Ares’s whereabouts since he got his own place. If you don’t go home, your parents might start asking questions, and that’s the last thing we need right now.”
“But I?—”
Zara intervenes. “Lev is right, babe. Look, the guys have practice in a few hours anyway, and you have an early classon Friday mornings. Right now, we’re all going to bed. I’ll see you later today and update you on everything we discuss at breakfast, is that ok?”
“Fine.” Heather relents. “But you need to tell me everything.”
“I promise.”
With Heather on her way to her house, Zara climbs in the front seat of Chance’s truck. Ares follows us in a car I don’t recognize.
“That isn’t Ares’s Jeep.” I observe, turning to look at the sedan he’s driving.
“The dipshit went all out on a full covert operation on us. Maybe he rented a car.”
I can see Chance’s glare through the rearview mirror as he drives out of the campus main entrance.
Chance isn’t the only one who’s mad at Ares.
I really didn’t appreciate the way he acted when he walked in on us and Zara.
