Settling my hands on my hips, my eyes land on Maddox for a long moment before connecting with Kellan’s green gaze. “Thanks for helping me take care of that.”
They both give short nods. I know better than to think they expect a thank you. We’re more like brothers than roommates at this point. We have each other’s backs when shit goes down. They supported me tonight just like I would for them any time they need me. That’s how we do it.
Kellan stretches his arms over his head, then shakes them out at his side. “How long do you think it’ll be before someone realizes those pussy frat boys are missing and goes looking for them?”
I smirk. “Hopefully a good, long time. Best-case scenario would be that they’re still strapped to those trees when people head out for their eight o’clock classes.” I want the entire school to know what they are. I hope they shit their pants when everyone shows up and gets a load of them all trussed up like that. And I could give zero fucks that their lives at this school are essentially over. Hell, that shit’ll go viral, I’m sure. There will be photos. Video. Like Madman said,epic.
Kellan holds up a bottle of whiskey that he’s pulled down from the cabinet.
“And cereal.” When I give him a look, Maddox scowls. “What? I’m fuckin’ starved after all that work.”
So, that’s how it happens that at four in the morning, we’re eating cereal and doing shots. Fucking weird combo, but it doesn’t faze us.
After the third shot and second bowl of cereal, I wipe the back of my mouth and push the empty bowl away from me. “I know I already said thank you, and I know you’d do the same for me. But I fuckin’ appreciate it.” I blink, the potent alcohol beginning to swirl through my system. “Lux… she’s…” I drop my head, all the thoughts I’m trying to express jumbled in my head. “I don’t know how to explain it. After everything I’ve done to her, she doesn’t fucking care. When I’m with her… I dunno.” I peer up at them through my slightly drunken rambling and sigh. Rubbing my hands over my face, I mumble, “Sorry.”
Maddox shakes his head. “I don’t know what to think. It’s fuckin’ bizarre the way you two can’t stay away from each other, despite everything.”
“Yeah. But what the fuck are you going to do when she finds out the truth?” Kellan frowns.
“That, I don’t know.” She’s going to really and truly hate me. And then what will I do? I recognize I want something that may never be possible. Unwilling to think about it a second more, I stand up and head for my room, only to come back out immediately with my Nerf gun aimed at my buddies. “Enough talk. You’ve got ten seconds before I shoot.”
There’s a mad scramble as Kellan and Maddox hurry to their rooms. They each pop back out with their weapon of choice, and thenit’s on.
TWENTY-ONE
LUX
Hawk didn’t show up to biology this morning. I know his spot on the football team requires him to keep up with his grades, so I’m a little confused why he wouldn’t be in class. And go figure, the prof assigned this pain-in-the-ass partner assignment that’s due next week.
For a half a second, I think maybe his disappearance today is because of me and my stupid freak out yesterday, but I shove that thought aside. He’s been in class when hehatedme and when I hatedhim,so surely he could manage showing up now.
My phone vibrates in my lap where I have it tucked away. Professors here don’t seem to care whether students text in class like they had in high school. Not unless it’s during testing, anyway. I guess they figure it’s your loss, it’s your money down the drain—or your parents’—so what do they care either way, as long as you aren’t distracting the class or using it to cheat your way to an A.
That said, I still don’t want to come across like I’m not paying attention because that’s not me. I’ve always been a great student, even in the years when I was at home. But when I glance at the screen, I see the texts coming in are from Star and Raven—it’s a new group chat—and I can’t help but sneak a peek. They know I’m in class, so I can’t help but to be a little wary of whatever’s going on.
Star:Lux? Um. So, I saw something on the way to class this morning.
Star:I’m guessing since neither of you has said anything that they were gone before you came through later.
Raven:They?
Star:These four guys who got their asses handed to them last night.
Raven:Wait, what?
Star:People found them on the way to eight o’clock classes this morning.
Star:When I stumbled upon them, there were so many phones out recording, I didn’t bother.
Raven:Oh, wow. That’ll be everywhere in no time.
Raven:Off to IG now to have a look.
Star:Lux, I think it was the guys who… you know.
I tap out a cautious response, suddenly wishing I’d had an earlier class so I could have seen what Star had with my own eyes.
Me:You mean the guys who drugged me?
