Page 43 of April’s Fool

As I reach my next class building, I steel myself before walking in. The last thing I need is for any of them to see how much they’re really getting to me.

Torpedo follows me into the lecture hall, his massive frame drawing curious glances from other students. I keep my gaze straight ahead, ignoring the whispers trailing us. The professor hasn’t arrived yet, giving me a moment to collect myself.

“You sure you’re good?” Torpedo asks again, lowering his voice as we sit down.

I nod, not trusting my voice. My phone vibrates again in my pocket, and I clench my fists under the desk. Part of me wants to block Samuel’s number, but I know I should preserve the evidence of his harassment. Besides, every time I do, he just gets another number.

The professor enters, and class begins. I force myself to focus on the lecture. Thankfully, it’s all about the upcoming final and what’s expected of us.

Halfway through class, Torpedo leans in and whispers, “Fool’s outside.”

I nod, both relieved and anxious. Fool will know something’s wrong the second he looks at me. He always does.

Class ends, and I gather my things slowly, trying to compose myself. As we exit the building, I spot Fool almost immediately, leaning against one of the pillars, arms crossed, looking delicious as always. My heart flutters despite my distress.

“Hey, sweets,” he says, grinning at me as I walk straight to him and into his arms. He doesn’t miss a beat, engulfing me in his warmth. “What’s wrong?”

God, why does it feel like instant safety whenever he’s near?

“Nothing,” I lie, but my voice wavers just enough for him to notice.

He tightens one arm around me, the other sliding up my spine into my loose hair, tangling in the strands, tilting my head back to meet his gaze. “Don’t lie to me, April. Something’s wrong. I can see it in your eyes.”

I sigh, knowing I can’t keep this from him. “Can we just get out of here? Go back to the apartment before I tell you.”

Fool’s jaw twitches as he takes me in. “What about the rest of your classes today?”

“I’m not feeling well. I’ll email my professors and get whatever I need from them.”

Nodding, Fool guides me quietly toward home. Torpedo is just as silent on the other side of my man.

Ten minutes later, we’re safely back at my place. Kayla looks up from the book she’s reading and frowns at me.

“What’s wrong?” she demands, closing the book and tossing it aside.

I drop my stuff in my usual spot, slip off my flip-flops, and head to the couch, where I plop down. I yank my phone out of my pocket and toss it to Fool as I draw my knees to my chest.

No need to speak when everything is right there for him to see.

“April?” Kayla calls.

Fool doesn’t speak as he stands across the room, eyes on me, my phone in his hand.

“Samuel’s been sending me nonstop messages,” I tell him.

“Who’s Samuel?” Kayla asks.

“A deadman,” Fool answers through gritted teeth, eyes flicking to my phone as he unlocks it. I don’t care if he knows my phone’s code. I have nothing to hide. To me, it’s a show of trust. Besides, I don’t want to see the rest of the messages, the ones that kept coming, the ones I didn’t read after leaving the café.

If I did, I might end up throwing up.

Chapter 21

FOOL

Staring down at the messages on my wife’s phone, I find myself wanting to punch something. No, I want to kill the motherfuckers who keep fucking with her head.

I hoped that with her never being alone, they’d get the message and leave her be, but if today’s events are anything to go by, that’s not about to happen. I’m going to have to deliver one that will make an impact on all of them.