My best friend is visibly stunned and is processing everything in his head. He stares at his shoes for what feels like an eternity. Finally, he exhales and looks at me. "Dude, this is seriously fucked up."
I guess that’s an appropriate statement. "Tell me about it." I press my lips together.
"So, what are we doing now?"
We. That’s exactly what I would’ve expected Wes to say. I could always count on him. "I’m not sure, man. Lilly doesn’t want Mom or Dad to know, but I’m pretty freaked out about the text. The only other person she was willing to tell was Den. That’s why I told her I want you in. I want one of us with her all the time."
He holds his fist toward me, and I bump it with mine. "You got it."
It’s almostseven when we finish talking. Wes asks more questions and even wants to know how Lilly and I ended up together—I’m fairly certain we are together. She hasn’t admitted her feelings yet, and I’m curious what changed. With the text message, we never talked about why she was on her way downstairs.
Other guys from the team start filing in, and we start working out. When we leave the locker room for our first class, Wes says, "Kat will not go down easily."
I sigh. "I know."
Chapter Thirty-Two
My alarm goesoff at six-thirty. Rhys is gone, and I lie under my down comforter, digesting everything that has happened in the last twenty-four hours. Shaking my head, I cover my eyes. I am dating my adoptive brother—I think. What am I doing? The voice in my head still says it’s wrong, but in my heart, it couldn’t feel more right.
I reach over and grab my phone. Rhys has sent multiple texts, ranging from 4:06 to 5:32 a.m.
Didn’t want to leave. :(
Heading to the gym to meet Wes.
@ gym. If anything happens, CALL ME!
A slow smile creeps across my face, and my stomach somersaults. Then, the initial burst of giddiness subsides as confusion with a side of apprehension sets in again. What do I respond? Are we officially an unofficial couple? He broke up with Kat, but what does that makeus? Things are changing so quickly.
Will do. Tell Wes hi.
I guess that covers the latter two messages. I chew on my lip, type, and hit send before I can chicken out.
See you later?
When no response comes, I head to the shower. They’re probably still talking.
I arriveat school twenty minutes early. Denielle is already waiting near my usual parking spot, and I’m not fully out of the car yet when she’s hovering next to my door, looking worried.
"Why isyour brothertexting me at five in the morning to make sure I talk to you before school?"
I’m glad Den is keeping up the charade—not that that statement alone wouldn’t raise suspicion. Den hasn’t talked to Rhys for as long as I haven’t—hadn’t. I’m convinced if it were just the two of us, she would’ve made some sort of torturous comment about my new love life, so I’m grateful to be in public for the moment.
I climb out of my Jeep. "Something happened."
Her eyebrows furrow, waiting for me to continue, but I shake my head. "Not here."
We walk toward the south wing, and Den keeps up the small talk like it’s a typical Monday morning. We pass student masses making their way through the halls to their destination and head to the east wing bathroom, which is rarely used at this time of day since it’s the farthest from everything.
I squat low without my hands touching the floor, my inner germaphobe on full alert, glancing under the stalls to make sure we are, indeed, alone. Pulling out my phone, I hand it over, and Denielle starts scrolling. She goes utterly still, and her hand is basically strangling the device. Her gaze jerks between the screen and me, finally settling on my face. "Holy. Fucking. Shit. Please tell me you told Heather and Tristen? Called the police?"
I shake my head. "Neither." My voice is more a whisper, and I don’t know why I sound like I’m guilty of doing something wrong. This ismylife for goodness’ sake—mydecision.
She looks at me in disbelief. "You’re insane. This dude kidnapped you and now has photos of us! Of YOU!" Her voice raises, and I shush her, expecting someone to come in and check what’s going on.
When it remains closed, I sigh. "I’m sorry you got dragged into this."
My best friend crosses her arms. "Oh, for fuck’s sake, I don’t care about that. I’m worried aboutyou.You’re the one he wants.Youhad your whole life turned upside down over the last three months."