“Like what you said at the park? It’s somewhere we could all go?” I asked.
She nodded, “Yeah. It’s a boarding school in Montana. I tried to look it up but couldn’t find anything, so it must be even more secretive than we thought. He said the council is talking to the headmaster and their board of directors to see if they’ll allow us in.”
“Why wouldn’t they? If we pay to attend––”
“I don’t think it’s just a secret private school,” she interrupted.
“What do you mean?” I asked, glancing at CeeCee for a hint that she knew.
“I’m not sure yet. I haven’t heard anything specific yet, but I have a feeling there’s something we don’t know. My dad’s keeping it from my mom too.”
That seemed weird. What was so secret that the council wasn’t even telling their spouses or family? Was it for the kids of the ultra-rich and famous? World leaders? Assassins in training? Superspies?
“Keep us posted,” I said, and she nodded.
Boarding school wouldn’t be a terrible option. I’d be far away from Dad, which would be hard, but he wouldn’t have to worry about me. He could live in the city and focus on work without feeling guilty.
And maybe, if Juliet really loved him, they could be together. I wouldn’t be there to worry about, so whatever Juliet was hiding wouldn’t matter.
Plus, I’d be with the guys and CeeCee and Gwyn. We could be roommates if that was a thing there. All I knew about boarding schools came from books and movies. They were each different, so it was hard to picture what our lives would be like, but at least we’d be safe and together. That was what mattered to me.
* * *
“Are you home?”I asked Gavin on my drive back from Gwyn’s.
“No, I slept at Sky’s,” he yawned, and I smiled, thinking of him still in bed. “How was your sleepover?”
“It was really fun. We stayed up watching movies and talking. It was exactly what I needed.”
“A break from us?” he asked with a light chuckle. “I’m jealous.”
“What did you guys do?”
“Played video games then crashed. I just woke a few minutes ago.”
“Are the others there too?” I asked.
“Yeah.” Noise funneled toward me from the background. “Vince is still asleep, but no one wants to be the one to wake him up.”
I cringed at the memory of the one and only time I tried. It was also the only time I’d felt his full strength. “Just let him sleep.”
“We will.” He yawned again.
“I want to talk about something. Is it okay if I come over?” I should probably go home first and shower, but I was dying to tell him about the boarding school and the solution it posed.
“Yeah.” He called to the guys that I was coming. “I’ll see you soon.”
I ended the call with a button on my steering wheel and headed toward Sky’s house. When I arrived, I knocked on the door, and Sky answered wearing only basketball shorts that hung dangerously low on hips.
“Morning,” he stepped forward and kissed me without warning.
I smiled against his lips before kissing him back. “Well, good morning.”
He put his arm around my shoulders and ushered me inside. “It is now that you’re here.”
The guys were spread out around the living room. Noah and Gavin were on the largest sofa, and Luca sat on the ground in front of it. Vince was still asleep, sprawled on the smaller couch with his feet hanging off the end. We’ve all experienced waking him up, and it never went well, so I wasn’t surprised to see him still sleeping soundly.
“There she is!” Noah grinned and got up to hug me.