“You won’t hear any complaints from me,” he says against my shoulder, before he sinks his teeth into my skin. I cry out once more, as I tighten against him and spiral over the edge.
“Oh fuck, Luna.” His moan is so guttural, and it’s driving me insane.
He leans against me, and I can feel him everywhere. Even as he falls free, and the bed gets sticky. Yet, I still don’t want to move.
I’m walking to the library when I see Emmet duck inside a classroom. I know there aren’t any more classes this evening, and my curiosity is killing me. I shouldn’t have a look, I should just go into the library and forget I saw anything. So, why are my feet taking me in his direction? I glance through the tiny window to see him holding Maddox up against the wall.
My vision clouds red, and all common sense abandons me as I storm into the room. Emmet takes one look at me, shakes his head, and then releases him.
“What the heck are you doing? He’s your brother.” I can’t believe this.
“Luna, it’s okay, don’t get involved,” Maddox says, and I don’t understand why he’s defending him.
“Maddox, he had you pinned against the wall. That isn’t okay.”
“It’s none of your business, Luna. If you get involved, then you’ll get in trouble. Just leave, please.” I don’t know what to say, and I’m trying not to feel hurt.
“Okay, I’ll… I-I-I guess I’ll s-see you later.” I turn around with shaking hands, and then go to the library. The place I should have gone all along.
The rest of the month is a crazy whirlwind of late night study sessions, my body weight in caffeine, and not a lot else.
Things have been weird between me and Maddox since I walked in on what Emmet was doing, and no one is willing to tell me what was going on. I can’t question them either, so we’ve reached an impasse. It’s easier to stick to mindless chatter and avoid anything real. I’m glad I have D and Caitlyn to keep me sane at least, and Maddox is still helping me. But now, so is Emmet. Apparently, he’s the best person to help me prepare. I’m not going to argue with it, but he never even offered. He just joined us one day, and now he’s at every study session.
I’m waiting in the library for them to get here. Tucker wasn’t keen on Emmet being in my room. Which I can definitely understand. Emmet is a loose cannon, and I never know how he’ll be. Even worse, I don’t know how I will react. I still think the whole mom situation is weird and I don’t understand it, but… and I hate myself so much for this. I want him, hence why I won’t allow myself to be alone with him.
Damn you, New York, you gave me a new insight into Emmet, and now I want to see more. I hate you, as much as a person can hate a state. Yep, and I’m not going to take it back, you are just evil.
“Why are you giving the wall a death stare? Did it insult your family or something?” Emmet asks with a smirk, as he takes a seat beside me.
“No, not the wall,” I grumble, as I look around for Maddox.
“Don’t bother, he isn’t coming.” My eyes meet his, and I swallow hard.
“Oh, should we reschedule then?” Please, say yes. Pretty, pretty please.
“Why? We’re both here.”
Yes, yes, we are. That’s the problem, because this library doesn’t have a librarian.
“I have a few practice exams, so let’s get to it. Unless there’s something else you’d rather do.” He lifts one side of his mouth, and his eyes close halfway.
“Nope, tests it is,” I croak out, as I seize the papers and write my answers with shaky hands.
“Why so uncomfortable? Unless you’re still pissy about that classroom.”
I sigh as I place the papers and pen on the table.
“I don’t like when Maddox gets picked on. He doesn’t deserve it, and no one seems to stand up for him. Not until the damage is already caused, of course.”
“I wasn’t ‘picking’ on him. Believe it or not, I was being a good big brother. He was on the verge of doing something stupid, and I was trying to prevent it.” He looks bored with this conversation, but I’m anything but.
“How stupid?”
“Incredibly, moronically, stupid. Maddox is a smart guy, but he’s also naïve. Even when he knows the way people will react, he still hopes for the best. It would be pathetic on anyone else, but Maddox… What can I say? He’s different.” He picks up a book, and starts flicking through the pages, and my back goes rigid.
Different, is he for real?
“Maddox is the best guy I know in this place and sometimes being different is a good thing. I can’t…”
He places his hand over my mouth and leans in close enough I can feel his breath fan across my face and smell peppermint on his breath.
“I didn’t mean it in a bad way, and I don’t know how much you know of Maddox. Whether you’re the type of person he’ll confide in, but if he has, then you must know that certain secrets can be damaging, especially with whom our father is. He suspects something, but as long as he can claim ignorance, he doesn’t care. That, and he hopes Shane will beat some sense into him.” His nose wrinkles as he speaks of his dad, before he presses a fist against his mouth, and puffs out his cheeks.
His hand falls away from my mouth as he leans back, and I say the first thing that pops into my head.
“I’m glad he’s leaving. I’ll feel a lot safer.”
“That’s a strange way to look at it, seeing as Thallon is taking his place. There are plenty of people here who would push you down a flight of stairs, given half the chance. Don’t fool yourself into a sense of false security, everyone is out for themselves in this place. And honestly, the girls are the worst.”
“High praise coming from the Devil himself.” I look up through my lashes, and he’s staring hard at me.
“Indeed, but I doubt I’ll lose my title anytime soon. Just feel lucky you haven’t seen that side of me. It won’t paint a pretty picture.” His darkness is bubbling close to the surface. I can feel it, as though it’s a tangible presence.
“I’ll get these answered.” I gesture toward the tests, and he nods before returning to his book.
I calm my racing heart and try to concentrate on the task at hand. It’s hard though, yet another reason why Maddox is better. Not just because he’s my friend, but because he isn’t a distraction. So many times, I’ve thought of these guys as being a danger to my sanity. Now, I wonder if I was ever sane to begin with.
34
Stress And Relief
“Are you ready to go?” Tucker asks for the umpteenth time, and I can’t stop myself from rolling my eyes.
I have no idea where this impatience is coming from, but at least I’m good to go now.
“Sir, yes, sir.”
“Say that again later, Tiny One,” he says huskily, and my panties grow damp at the sound.
“Where are we going?” All I know is that he told me to put on a pretty dress and be ready by ten. I’m ready on time, it’s not my fault he got here thirty minutes too early.