"Where's Grayson?" I asked, returning my gaze to Texas, as he began tugging me towards the Thompson cafeteriabuilding.
"Class," Marvgrunted.
I stared at him for a moment over my shoulder before huffing and turning away. We would have to talk about his attitude problem, I decided, sooner, hopefully, rather than later. He and Grayson needed to get along and get over whatever their past indiscretions were or, so help me, I'd lock the two of them in a room together until they did. Maybe I could handcuff them together…I looked over to Texas. He’d totally help me, I just knewit.
As we headed for the cafeteria, with Texas' hand in mine, I turned my attention to something less devious, making a list in my head for all of the school stuff I’d need to get done. It was easy to get caught up in the idea that I was in college. That we were normal and all I could do was take classes and meet new friends and maybe even kinda date...the guys. Even if having multiple boyfriends was sociallynotnormal. But I couldn't let myself be swept away. We were here for a reason: to find Erika and, hopefully, Grayson's brother,too.
"So, what's it like so far?" Texas asked as Marv dashed in front and held open the door forus.
"Classes?" I guessed. "Well, I've only had one so far. It was okay. The teacher seemed...interesting." I honestly didn't know how else to put it. Even as I recalled the different things people said about what they disliked about themselves. When I answered...I don't always try for what I want...I was thinking about the guys, but I was also thinking about other decisions I had made in my life. Quitting gymnastics. Giving up on college before I met the guys. I had resigned myself to giving up a lot of future opportunities just because of my mom. Now, it was almost a shock to see that I didn't haveto.
"Pasta or pizza?" Marv asked, drawing me out of mythoughts.
"Um...pasta?"
He nodded. "Okay. Texas and I will grab the food. Why don't you find us atable?"
"Sure..." I started, but Marv was already walking away. I looked atTexas.
"Don't mind him." Texas turned to me and leaned down, brushing a whisper-soft kiss on my cheek. I blinked, surprised as I inhaled sharply, and butterflies erupted in my stomach. "He's just pissy because he has to spend so much time around Graysonlately."
I frowned as Texas let go of my hand. "He's gonna have to get over it sooner orlater."
Texas nodded. "I know that, and he knows that—Knix had a talk with him. But it’s easier said than done." Texas turned and walked away, leaving me standing there, feeling a little bad for being so frustrated with Marv's feelings towardsGrayson.
When I had first met Grayson, I hadn't liked him all that much either. He had seemed pompous and arrogant—too much so. I needed to remember that Marv and Grayson—and, I supposed, Iris in general—had a history. More history than I did with either ofthem.
Turning, I headed for the other side of the cafeteria where several rows of tables were filled with students. As I roamed up and down the aisles looking for a clean, empty table, I spotted one in the far corner near a girl in a lime green t-shirt and jean shorts, sitting alone, eating a salad with her phone on the table in front of her. I scooted past her and sat down at the empty table just as a couple of girls in athletic-wear made a beeline for it. The tallest scowled at me as I planted my butt like I was planning to grow roots, but merely turned away and stalked towards the other side of the cafeteria while her friends trailed afterher.
“Found her!” I jerked as Texas’ voice floated over to me. He and Marv walked up with three steaming plates of pasta just as I was sliding my bag under the table. Surprisingly, they had also managed to carry over a few glasses of water. Texas carried three glasses in one palm, all with their bottoms balanced precariously. He moved with such grace, though, I wasn’t worried. I had only seen more experienced servers pull thatmaneuver.
Texas paused at the end of the table and set the plate down first before he handed me one glass and set the other two down. Marv moved up next to me and, when he hovered, I realized he wanted to sit next to me, so I scooted over. Once we were all sitting, Marv pulled out silverware wrapped in napkins and handed them out. We all worked like one, big, well-oiled machine. It made me smile…and miss theothers.
“I wonder what Knix and Bellamy are doing while we’re away,” I contemplated aloud as I speared a bowtie noodle with myfork.
“I’m sure they’re keeping busy,” Texas said as he shoveled a forkful into hismouth.
Marv tilted his head back and looked at me. Tornado gray eyes met mine. “You can call them later if you want. Are you coming back to the house withus?”
“The house?” I blinked as I realized what he meant. He was talking about the house that he was sharing with Grayson and Texas while we were here. “Oh, yeah, sure, I can do that. I have class again after lunch,though.”
Marv nodded. “We do, too, though Texas will apparently be going on a little field trip. So, I’ll just come pick you up from yourclassroom.”
A part of me wanted to comment on Texas’little field trip—it obviously had something to do with the mission. A possible lead was just what we needed. I paused with my fork poised at my lips and slowly lowered it back to my plate as I leanedforward.
“Where are you going?” I asked curiously, eyeinghim.
Texas paused, mid-chew, before swallowing. “It’s just a hunch,” he said as though he wasn’t really comfortable saying anything just yet. I wondered if he was just afraid to get my hopes up. “We’re not really sure of anything, but Grayson and I are going to be heading to the upstate rehab facility that Josh was in before hedisappeared.”
I nodded with exaggerated slowness even as I scanned him for any more hints and clues before turning to look at Marv. It didn’t surprise me that he wouldn’t be attending that field trip. “Okay, then, I guess I’m with you this afternoon.” I smiled before reaching for the bag that I had stowed away. “Hold on, I think I have the classroom building and number inhere.”
Marv waved his hand before lifting his glass to his lips. When he was done, he set it down with a small, reserved thud. “Don’t worry aboutit.”
I paused, my hand hovering over my bag. “How are you gonna find out where my next classis?”
Texas laughed. “Well, for one, Spider-Monkey, Marv’s gonna walk you to your class, and two, we already have your schedule.” He stabbed his fork into another noodle. “It’s in all our phones, just incase.”
My mouth gaped, and I twisted back and forth between them. “Why don’t I have your class schedules then?” Iasked.