Page 51 of Fractured Heart

“Wish we could help.” He shrugs. “But Roonie’s staying at our place right now.”

My eyes widen while Silas’s narrow. Does that mean I don’t have to leave?

“Shouldn’t she have her own mansion or something?” Silas gives me a pointed once-over that ends with a glare aimed at the expensive phone in my hand.

Suddenly, it hits me. I know why Silas thinks my family’s rich. It’s because of my designer clothes and fancy phone. I need to explain, but his eyes hold a barely contained rage that makes me freeze. Our momentary truce is gone. Silas is back to hating me. It shouldn’t matter. As long as I have a place to stay a few more days, what Silas thinks of me shouldn’t matter, but it does.

Tate shrugs. “She just needs a place to stay for a little while.”

“Can’t she stay in one of the girls’ dorms?” Silas stares at me intently.

“No, she can’t,” Charles growls at him.

Silas’s eyebrows shoot up.

“She could stay in my room,” JJ suggests with a wink. He leans closer, his lip brushing my ear. “My bed’s big enough for two.”

My heart stutters.

“If she’s staying in anyone’s room, it would be mine.” Tate yanks a wide-eyed JJ off the bench.

Charles instantly takes his place. His huge frame takes up three-quarters of the bench, leaving me pressed up against his side.

JJ looks between us and then shoots me a wink. “Invitation’s open if you change your mind.”

“Will you stop it?” Tate asks him. “Silas, if you have a sleeping bag, you could always crash on the floor.”

My heart nearly stops. I can’t stay in the same apartment as Silas. I’m not even sure I can stay on the same campus as Silas.

Silas frowns at me and I realize he’s thinking the same thing. Except he hates me so much he can’t stand the thought of sharing a space with me. His lips turn down, twisting around his lip piercing. “Thanks, but I think I’m good.”

“Then maybe you can crash with your Mom?” Tate suggests. “You could—”

“Yeah, sure, I’ll do that.” Silas spits. “Can we just focus on the audition?” We’re running out of time, we don’t have a song, and we’re not ready. At this rate, we won’t make it to the prelims.”

“Actually, I think we might.” Tate smiles, glancing at Charles for confirmation.

The Beast pulls me closer to his side. “We think Roonie can help with our audition.”

“Her?” Silas scowls.

“Me?” I squeak.

“So, she talks,” Silas mutters under his breath.

“Why don’t we show her what we’ve got so far?” JJ grins. He tugs on a strand of my hair and his eyes sparkle. “Be honest with us, okay Roonie? Brutally honest. No holding back, okay?”

I nod. I already know that whatever they’ve come up with, I’m going to love. My heart feels lighter. I get to stay with the guys a little bit longer and I get to watch a real, live a cappella rehearsal.

I can’t wait for Tate to sing again. And I’ve been dying to hear what Charles sounds like since last night. I glance at JJ. It never really crossed my mind that he might sing too, and now I’m dying of curiosity. The three of them, harmonizing with Silas…It’s bound to be unbelievable.

“This is a waste of time.” Silas throws his arms up in frustration.

“Ignore him.” JJ grins. “Ready, guys?”

Silas groans, but nods anyway. So does Tate.

Charles lets go of me and I miss the warm comfort of his touch. He joins the others, lining up in front of me. “We’ve been working on our audition song since the start of the school year,” he says by way of introduction. He glances at Silas, who scowls.