“I— Thank you,” I finally manage.
He nods. “Of course.”
“Well, okay then.” I place my hand on the doorknob. “Let’s go.”
But before I can push us through and escape undetected, the door behind us swings open.
8
For a split second, mybrain melts into panic mode. It’s Mica and Brayden. They’re back and ready to out me as a double rule breaker andoh godwhat if we get caught once again and—
No. Hold on.
Whirling around, I quickly discover it’s not Mica and Brayden on the other side of the door. It’sInessa.
And she’s clutching the brass tortoise.
I can physically feel my nervous system regulating as my pulse returns to a normal rhythm. “No way,” I whisper, excited. “You found it.”
But Inessa looks frozen with fear as she takes in William. “Is he—?”
“No, no. It’s fine.” I’m careful to keep my voice low. “He’s new. He won’t say anything.”
Relief washes the tension from her face. “Thankgod. I got your text, by the way. I was hiding behind the couch in the common room for twenty minutes because I couldn’t get out in time.”
“Well, you need to go now,” I insist. “Because a few of the guys are on their way back and—”
But before I can finish my sentence, the door starts to openagain. My reflexes kick in, pure instinct and adrenaline, and I slam it shut. I don’t let go, holding it in place.
“Hide,” I hiss.
Inessa does, already halfway toward the farthest row of lockers. Once she ducks out of sight, I let go of the knob.
Sumner loses his footing as he stumbles in. His presence is jarring. I was expecting Mica or Brayden.
“What the—?” He takes one look at me, his confusion souring. “You’re kidding.”
The pounding in my chest accelerates. This is my one opportunity to cause a diversion. I try to keep my face neutral, but I’m not sure I’m succeeding.
“It’s not what you think,” I say in a rush, then give William’s arm a lofty tug. “I’m here to deliver your roommate. He was…lost.”
I steal a sideways glance at William. He extends a regular, gloveless hand toward Sumner. “Pleasure to meet you.”
Sumner looks between us, mildly thrown, before accepting William’s formal gesture. “Hey,” he says. “Welcome.” Then he glances around. “Where’s your stuff?”
I drop my gaze to the floor as if suitcases will materialize from thin air.
William turns toward me. “Airline,” he says, sounding as though he’s presenting the correct answer to a pop quiz.
“They lost it,” I supply, for context.
Sumner’s hand flattens over the back of his neck. “That sucks.”
A frenzied patter races up my spine. “Hey! I have an idea!” I say way too enthusiastically. “Let’s go this way.”
I start nudging William toward the corridor behind Sumner, who takes a second to linger. His gaze shifts between us, like he’s trying to figure out if this is a trap. Which is ironic, since he’s currently unaware he has us cornered.
Sumner doesn’t move. I need to dosomething.
