“Sure.”
Whoa. It’s so rare for someone my age to know about The Art of War, let alone having read it.
Teal’s appearance is not what meets the eye, that’s for sure. There’s so much depth in there, it’s kind of exciting to get to know her.
“I thought that was you, Ellie!”
I’m attacked by a hug from behind. Before I know it, I’m lifted off the ground and spun around.
I laugh as Ronan finally puts me back onto my feet.
“Hey, Ronan.”
“Don’t give me that, petit traitre.” He glares down at me jokingly. “How can you disappear on me like that? I’m having withdrawals. I demand payback.”
“I told you over text, a lot of things happened.”
Xander and Cole join us. The three of them are rocking stylish suits; Ronan is in dark-blue, Cole is in black, and Xander is in dark-brown. With their hair styled, it’s like they’re out for a fashion show.
This is the side of them I don’t know — or more like I haven’t met yet. I’m sure they attend parties like these all the time.
Before I can rejoice about seeing them again, dread tightens in my stomach. The three of them wouldn’t be here without Aiden. He must be hiding somewhere biding his time to come out and attack.
Like a fucking predator.
“And who is this?” Ronan drawls in Teal’s direction.
“Teal.” I motion at her. “This is Ronan, Cole, and Xander from school.”
She nods, barely sparing them any attention before she returns to her phone.
“Bonsoir, ma belle.” Ronan devours her with his eyes, openly, with no shame. “This means we’ll be seeing a lot of you.”
“Not really,” she says, still not looking at them.
“Yeah. We live in Birmingham,” I say.
“No,” Ronan clutches his heart dramatically, closing in on her. “I might die if I don’t see you again.”
“Then die.” Teal turns around and heads in Knox’s direction without a glance back.
“Hashtag, burn.” Xander clutches Ronan by the shoulder.
“Someone actually turned you down.” Cole raises an eyebrow. “I’m impressed.”
“Fuck off, both of you.” Ronan’s face is unreadable for a second before he grins at me again. “Where were we? Right. When are you coming back, Ellie? I need my dose of you like I need weed.”
“Did you just compare me to weed?”
“Hey! Weed is cool. It relaxes you and makes you happy.”
“Well,” Xander laughs. “Ronan and weed share an endless love story, so comparing you to it is kind of a compliment.”
“Exactement!” Ronan clasps Xander’s shoulder in a bro hug. “So Ellie, when are you coming back to be my happy place?”
I’m about to tell him I don’t know if I’ll ever come back when the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.
A flush covers my skin from my cheeks all the way down my chest underneath my clothes. Something familiar races down my spine no matter how much I try to suffocate it.