“You’re the best captain, Declan.” The bed squeaks again, but this time it’s softer. “I hate that he gets to you.”
“I hate that he can’t learn when to back off.”
“So, he was on campus again today?” she wonders, now her voice is the one that sounds small.
“Yeah.” He sighs. “I take it he didn’t stop by?”
“Nope.”
“I’m sorry, Brin.”
“It doesn’t matter. I’ve got you. That’s all I need.” There’s a slight lift in her mood. “Plus, if he madeyouthat angry, I could only imagine how our conversation would’ve gone.”
“I am the level-headed one,” he responds, and I fight the laugh climbing up my throat.
I reach for the knob before freezing. Will he think I was eavesdropping on their whole conversation? I mean, I was, but will he know that? But if I don’t come out now, who knows when I’ll be able to fight my way to freedom.
I push the door open, and his head snaps in my direction. His smile vanishes, and he sucks in a breath.
“I didn’t realize you were here,” he mumbles.
“Yeah, Brin and I were—”
“I’ll see you later, okay.” He turns to Brinley and kisses her head. “Text me if you need me.”
“Will do, Goober.” She grins when he glares at her. “I love you.”
“Love you too.” He glances at me before walking out the door as quickly as he entered.
Brinley shrugs before returning to her previous task of eating pretzels and painting her nails.
I guess now I know how it feels.
nine
Declan
Imight’ve been a little too hard on Ember the other night. In my defense, I didn’t expect her to be there, and her coming out of the bathroom took me by surprise. Plus, it had already been a tense day because of my dad and the rumors about me sleeping with her for a good grade.
But somehow, I convinced her to work at my place again this weekend, even though it could fuel the fire.
“Hey.” I smile as I open the door.
She looks at me quickly and then brushes past me, setting up camp at the island again. Maybe she’s still mad about me blowing her off the other day… but in my defense, she always does it to me.
“Do you want anything to drink?” I wonder, heading to the fridge.
“No thanks.”
She pulls her computer and notebook out.
“I’m sorry about the other day.” The apology flies out before I know what I’m saying. Do I really need to apologize because I caughthereavesdropping?
“Don’t worry about it,” she replies. “We all have bad days, and I hold no grudges.”
“I find that hard to believe.”
“What?” Her eyes lock on mine.
