Georgia snatches the bracelet from his hand. Her eyes fill with tears. “This was my grandmother’s. She gave it to me before she died.”
“I know,” Grant says, rubbing his neck. “That’s why I went back. I knew what it meant to you.”
“You’re such an idiot,” Georgia says, but she’s smiling through tears. She hits his chest. “You jerk. Why didn’t you tell me you had it?”
“I was going to give it back. That’s how I’ve been...” He stops, that sheepish expression coming back. “That’s how I kept getting you to hang out with me.”
“We searched the library for over an hour!”
“But it was fun, our first date.” He gives her a smirk.
Georgia’s face turns cherry-red. “What? That wasn’t a date.” She rolls her eyes at Grant.
“I added aGcharm,” he admits.
Madeline makes a sound beside me—half laugh, half sniff. She’s finding this adorable, while we’re in the middle of murder and mayhem. Tough as hell on the outside, warm sweetness right below the surface.
“What about Paul?” Madeline asks. “Why did you beat his ass?”
“He was running his mouth.” He flicks a glance to Georgia, giving himself away, but I’m not sure Georgia is putting it together.
“Ohhh,” Madeline says.
“What?” Georgia asks confusedly.
I clear my throat. “As touching as this is, we have a problem.”
Grant pulls back from Georgia but keeps her hand. “Curfew. I know. They announced it while I was leaving the station.”
“We are out of time,” Madeline says, checking her phone. “Georgia and I should go.”
“Not happening.”
“No.”
Both Grant and I talk at the same time.
“No way, Buttercup. I’m not leaving your side. Not tonight with everything happening.” I’d crawl out of my skin before sunrise.
“Luke—” Madeline starts.
“No.” I pull out my phone, knowing there is only one way to make this work. “Fuck it. We can stay at my brother’s.”
“Your brother’s?” Georgia’s eyes widen. “The dean’s?”
“His house is on campus. It should count.” I’m making shit up, but I know I can talk my brother into it. I don’t ask him for much, and when I do, he wants to show up for me. I’m already texting Bennett. “He won’t care.”
Bennett texts back:Fine. But you’re all in trouble if anyone finds out.
“Let’s go,” I say, grabbing Madeline’s hand.
We pile into my car. My mind is on one thing: Joey. That little shit is all wrapped up in this. He plays that good guy bullshit. No fucking way he let that shit go with Emily. He was calling her back here. Lured her, not that I’m really thinking about it.
The storm’s already here. We just don’t know where it’ll hit next. Unless I hit it first.
“Are you plotting over there?” Madeline asks. I am, but there other things I need to handle first.
“You need dinner.” She rolls her eyes at me but is smiling.
