Page 58 of Darkest Obsession

Fuck. I can’t exactly tell her where I was going, can I? Plus, she seems like a sweet girl. Bit awkward, but nothing I can’t handle. I shrug and nod, even if I’ve already eaten. Clover still hasn’t eaten, right? So I can exercise the tiniest bit of restraint (which I hate) and wait until I see her at breakfast. This gives me an excuse to sit in the dining hall a bit longer.

Restraint. So far, I’ve been completely incapable of restraining myself around her. Last night only worked because of Sylvia barging in and reminding me that I ought to at least try to have a conscience. I think I had one before Amelia. I must have. I’m the only brother Violet talks to on a regular basis, so I can’t be all bad if my annoying older sister thinks I’ve got a shot at decency.

I don’t think she talks to dad anymore, but I don’t want to ask. I don’t want to deal with anything related to the divorce.

I get to breakfast with Molly and the crew team still eating breakfast whistles as we walk in together. Considering my recent excuse, Kit gives me a puzzled look and I shrug. Plans change, Barclay. Deal with it. Molly grabs my hand and drags me to a two person table. It’s weird that she touched my hand. Girls don’t touch boys like that.

I sit across from her and she plops down, grinning at me.

“Aren’t you going to get any food?” I ask her.

“Just coffee.”

“Okay.”

She smiles at me for an uncomfortably long time and then she trots off, returning with a coffee that looks like it’s entirely milk.

“What about you?”

“Already ate,” I answer.

“Oh. Cool. Nervous?”

“About what?”

I fight away the half smile teasing at the corner of my lips. Does she have a crush or something? Awfully bold of her what she’s doing and she doesn’t look like the sort. I don’t mind weird girls, but I don’t have a clue what to say to Molly..

“School. Sports. Everything.”

“Not really a nervous person.”

“I see.”

I glance over my shoulder towards the door and lose focus on Molly. Clover’s here finally with Sylvia and their other black friend, Kola. They look so gloriously different from everyone here that the entire room turns to look everywhere they go. I like being invisible, but Clover looks good in a spotlight. I’m just glad she’s here. Anything could happen before I get rid of that money. I want to keep a good eye on her.

Molly clears her throat. When I turn to face her, she twists her face into a dramatic frown.

“It’s not polite to leer at women, Thomas.”

“Er… sorry…” I feel like I’m about to get a lecture from Vi. Molly gets to her feet and grabs her coffee, angrily storming off. Did I do something? Clover catches my attention and I wave at her. She doesn’t wave back. Fuck’s sake, what have I done now? Hasn’t she punished me enough for being a pervert?

I just want her attention.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Clover

Has Thomas lost his damn mind? There’s a freak – a spicy freak – blackmailing us who seems to have a problem with us talking to each other and even hate-interacting. I have to watch my back today. I don’t have time for Thomas and his shenanigans, waving at me from across the dining hall like we’re an item.

He has one mission: take the money to the whispering bench and hope to Jesus that saves our asses for the time being.

I almost can’t believe I survived the night in a dark room with him. What the hell is his problem anyway? Why did he hurt me like that? Why does he keep staring at me like he wants me? Why did I let him kiss me?

Ugh. I’m not the type of girl who falls for the bad boy, so it’s not that. I don’t fall for anyone. In the world I grew up in, the motto was “never get attached”. My mama taught me right.

Thomas apparently didn’t grow up in a world where you take hints. He comes over to me and puts his hand on my shoulder.

“Hey.”