They looked from me to him skeptically.
“Let me guess,” Kansas crossed his arms and replied dryly. “It’s his word against mine?”
The one speaking nodded his head. “You’ve got it. What did you say your name was, son?”
“Kansas.”
“Kansas what?”
“Kansas.”
“All right,Kansas, I’ve never seen you around here. In Shelley Vale, everyone knows everyone. Strangers are treated as such.” The officer tugged on his belt.
“Are you charging me with anything?” Kansas asked directly.
“Do you know who you’re talking to, son?” the second officer barked. “Where did you come from?”
“He’s just visiting from school.” I crossed my arms and looked down at my sock feet. “He wasn’t doing anything wrong.”
“School?”
“Yeah, it’s almost twelve hours away. Don’t worry, I’m leaving in the morning.”
“Oh, like some big-time school?” the officers mocked.
“I’m on a scholarship,” Kansas growled.
“Oh, yeah, which one?” The officer laughed as if they knew one scholarship from the other.
“The Foxworth scholarship,” Kansas revealed, hanging his head. I gasped. All laughter stopped in an instant.
“The Foxworth scholarship?” The officer reached for the baton on his hip. “Son, you realize you tried to fight with a Foxworth tonight? That boy can call his daddy and get your money pulled like that.” He snapped his fingers.
“I’m fully aware,” Kansas said dryly. “I told you I’m leaving in the morning. What more do you want?”
The officers shared a look and then nodded. “Next time you come for a visit, just be a little more mindful about who you speak to and how. The Foxworths run this town.”
“Got it.”
I thanked the officers and quickly shut the door.
“Kansas,” I sighed. “I’m so sorry.”
“Your boyfriend really doesn’t like me.” Kansas smirked as he stormed into the kitchen.
“What do you mean? Spencer? He’s dating Soleil.” I locked the front door and followed him back to the kitchen.
“Not by choice. The guy totally wants to fuck you.”
My oven timer went off, and I reached for my oven mitts. “Stop. He’s just protective of the people he cares about. He gets super jealous with Soleil too,” I tried to say, but I wasn’t entirely sure that was true. I’d never seen Spencer like that before tonight. It was weird.
“Sure.” He grabbed his teacup, looked at it with disgust, and set it back down. He grabbed the bottle of bourbon from last night and popped it open, taking a long swig. “He’ll get his. All those preppy, daddy’s-money-will-take-care-of-everything motherfuckers.” He stared at the bottle and then brought it to his lips, emptying it. He set it down sharply, and I jumped. He rolled his eyes.“They’ll get theirs. I’m going to bed. I’ll see you in the morning.”
Rule 10 - Eisley
Don’t reveal your hiding spot.
Ifinished making the cake in Constantine’s honor alone and set it in my glass cake stand. When I dragged myself up the stairs, I paused at my guest room, where Kansas was. I heard nothing, and sadly, went to my room to sleep.
