He was pacing and I had some explaining to do, but there is no point when he’s still worked up. So, I wait.
The frown Eli’s been sprouting not going unnoticed either. Leaning his foot against the wall in the locker room.
Earlier I’d made Rory believe that she’d brought herself into the spotlight, but it was me who’d done it. Not once in my entire high school career had I acted so wrongly and out of character.
Sprinting out of the weight room as soon as I saw Rory about to start a fight. I don’t know what came over me. I saw her and my brain blurred, reflexes kicking in.
To make matters worse, not only had I broken up a fight—something I would never do—I’d pulled Rory away, not Madison.
People noticed, and they’d talk. Questions would start, and everyone would know her name by the end of the day. I was positive about that fact.
I was telling the truth though when I said she’d been hiding. Concealing her real identity like it was a cloak. It was strange, most people would jump at the chance, but Rory, not once has, since she’s come back.
My original perception of her abiding.
In public, Eli, and Finn had my back. We were strong, a unit. Only now, in the privacy of the boy’s locker room, would our real feelings come to light.
Hence, Finn’s calm demeanor outside the room and his frenzied one inside.
I was still trying to ring my head around everything, and I didn’t need the added hostility of Eli’s gaze smothering me.
“What the hell was that?”
We were adding more words. This was good, we were getting somewhere. Finn finally calming down. One syllable at a time.
“I already told you Madison was starting to get suspicious, and then you go and dothis. Honestly the hell, Cole?” Finn stared, looking at me for answers I couldn’t give.
At least he was using more than three worded sentences again.
“You better have a plan,” he spits out.
Didn’t I always.
We were back to pacing.
“She’s not one of us.” Finn jabs a finger at his chest. “She’s not.”
I eye Eli hoping to get some support, but he was looking down at his fingernails. Traitor.
There was only one way to go about it, and I think Finn knew the answer too. Taking a seat, he tucks his elbows behind his head. He can’t stomach looking at me when I say the words.
The only answer staring us right in the face.
“There is only one thing we can do. We bring her in, make her one of us.”
I messed up and we would all have to suffer the consequences. People would start to question our authority if I did nothing now that I’d helped her.
They don’t know she’s a Casper yet. Luckily, she’s been telling people her last name was Hale, so we still had that advantage. It was only a matter of time before the truth came out.
People would know but by then she’d be untouchable.
“Rory will be a hellhound.” My voice even, final.
eighteen
Rory
“Areyousurethisis the place you want to try?” I give Hailey a slight nod, unclicking my seat belt opening the passenger side door of her car.