Page 20

“Mm-hmm.” I frown at the page when the numbers, yet again, become hard to read. From my periphery, I notice Theo leaving.

I’m two pages into my notes when Theo returns, holding a bottle of water over my book. When I swat it away, he places it back in my line of vision. I let out an annoyed sound, but now that I’ve seen it, I realize how dry my throat is.

With my eyes still on my notes, I twist the cap and bring the bottle toward my mouth. I hit my chin, then my nose, before finding my lips and tilting the bottle. Water spills down the side of my mouth, dripping onto my notebook.

“Come on, Lopez.” Theo slams my books shut and I snap my gaze toward him. “You can’t even look away to drink some water for a second?”

I’m about to snap at him when he lifts the bottom of his shirt—the driest part, free of sweat—and leans over, pulling it high enough to wipe the water from my mouth. The act and the sudden peek at the muscles of his body steal any response from me.

He goes on, “For someone so ready to train her brain, you should be more careful how to treat your body.”

“I’m sure you have better things to do worry about my water intake.” The words leave me way too high in pitch.

“I’m doing exactly what I want to do right now. Hanging out with you.”

I freeze for a second, my heart stuttering like it missed a beat. The noise and Theo’s blinks of surprise make the tips of my ears burn. I avert my gaze from him, but when I see other students looking over at us, it only makes the heat hotter.

He just says anything he wants with such certainty, and it annoys me and gives me a headache while also… making my stomach drop like I’ve accidentally gotten a foot stuck in a crack and nearly fallen over. I wish he’d just remain twenty feet away from me at all times.

Then I lock gazes with Rachel in a crop top and shorts, glaring at me in a way that kills all the butterflies I never knew even lived in my stomach.

I pull my head down and bring my focus back to my homework. “If you want to talk to me, it should be about the case. Other than that, there’s nothing else we need to discuss.”

He stands, bends over, and stretches his arms out in front of him, then peeks at me. “Did you stretch? The way you move, I’m surprised you didn’t tear any muscles.”

I don’t respond, ignoring him as I pretend to scrawl a note on my paper.

“Everyone skips the stretching,” he goes on, deepening his stretch, “but it’s just as important as the workout.”

“Are you even listening to me right now?” I snap.

“Huh?” he says, then straightens out. “Sorry, I stopped listening to you when you said something I didn’t like.”

“Please leave me alone.”

“I don’t feel like it.” He runs a frustrated hand through his hair. “But if you’re going to be difficult, then I’ll force you to talk anyway. What are the updates on your progress?”

Me, me, me; I’m sure that’s all that plays out in Theo’s head. Doesn’t listen to me, or anyone else. Just does whatever he wants, regardless of what anyone wants.

Asshole.

I sigh. “I submitted the people you wanted to give character testimonies for you to the Society, and they were all accepted.”

“I thought anyone could speak for me; you have to submit that?”

“I have to submit everything and anything regarding the trial.”

“Why?”

This makes me look up at him, genuinely surprised. Seriously, not one time has a student ever asked me a single thing about their case. They just expected me to handle it, and I did, and the more I did, the fewer interactions future clients and I had. That’s the privilege that comes with a reputation. You don’t have to explain anything; you just need results.

I explain, “It’s so the opposing counsel knows what they’re up against. They have to do the same for whatever they come up with.”

“Doesn’t that give it away? Shouldn’t your strategy be a secret?”

“Yes and no; I still don’t know what they’ll say or bring up during the trial. But witnesses or evidence have to be approved by the judge before they make it into court. Later tonight, I have a meeting with the security guard who was on duty during the vandalism. They’re doing some kind of maintenance to the system, but they should be online at around five thirty.” I feel like I’m being too nice right now. I grumble. “Is that a good enough update for you?”

“It’s perfect. I’ll go with you.”