Tom is waiting for me when I come out of class, and he grips my elbow and leads me away from the fray. I don’t ask what he’s doing or where we’re going, instead, I decide to just go with the flow, and hope that I won’t be late for my next class.
Although that worry vanishes as he leads me into the north wing, and we come to a stop outside a door with Maddox’s name engraved on a plaque to the side of it.
“I hope he’ll speak to you. He barely spoke to anyone while we were away. Shane and Scott didn’t even go to the same place we did.” He seems worried, and it only endears him to me further as I kiss him lightly on the cheek, knock on the door, and then enter without an invitation.
He’s sitting on a chair with his head in a book when I close the door behind me, and his head shoots up to look at me. His eyes widen as he takes me in before his shoulders tighten, and he closes the book with more force than is necessary.
“I’m sorry to intrude, but I’ve been worried about you,” I say, and he scoffs in reply.
“Hey, I mean it. I miss you, Maddox, and I hate to see you closing yourself off like this. Plus, school is back in session and I could really do with my study buddy for business. I never would have made it through last year without you.” I move closer and his shoulders bunch up further until they’re almost brushing his ears.
“I don’t think I can do this, Luna. I don’t even want to be here. I do so many things to please my family, but what about what makes me happy? Does that even matter? Because it doesn’t feel as though it does.”
“I’m sorry, I get it, though. I recently realized that I’ve done very little for myself. I’m using this place to get the career I want, why can’t you do the same?” He sits up a little straighter, and his reaction gives me the strength to continue. “You can get the same education as us girls, so do it. Get what you need and then leave this place and never look back if that’s what you want. You don’t have to let your last name define you. Maddox, if you don’t try to make something for yourself, then you’ll always be ruled by it, by them.” I don’t need to elaborate on who I mean by them and he stands up. In a matter of moments, he’s wrapping me up in his arms and holding on for dear life.
“Thank you, Luna. You have no idea how much I’ve been needing to hear something like that. Ever since Shane nearly killed me, I’ve been barely surviving. Thank you for reminding me I still have a reason to carry on.”
“Anytime, my friend, anytime. You know I’m here for you though, right? You don’t have to shoulder everything alone.” I run my fingers through the back of his head. He sighs and relaxes more against me.
“It’s not as easy as that, Luna. There are so many things I can’t talk about to you. You’re not a Harkwright.” He pulls away and walks over to his window, and as I step closer, I can see a view of the gardens.
“What does that matter?” I ask, and he’s looking at me as though I’m a moron.
Well, it was a pretty moronic question if you think about it.
“There are certain things that we’re not allowed to discuss with… well, with outsiders. Family secrets that are never allowed to see the light of day, and it doesn’t matter if I trust you or not. I can’t do it. I want to, but I can’t… I just can’t.” He drags his hand through his hair, and I feel so helpless.
“I get it.” He levels me with a look and I smile sheepishly at him. “I mean, I don’t, but I understand that families have their secrets. I’m still here though, even if you don’t want to, or can’t talk about it.”
“Thanks, Luna. You make me wish I was born into a family like yours.” My smile falls away at his words, but I try not to take it to heart. He doesn’t understand what those words do to me, the reminder I wasn’t born into my family. That mine was taken from me and my birth father hasn’t once tried to find me, or how self conscious I feel whenever conversations regarding my family crop up.
“Crap, Luna, I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking, I meant nothing by it. I just meant that you’re so nice, and maybe my brothers would have been better people had we been dealt a kinder hand.” A flush is creeping across his cheeks as his chin dips down toward his chest. His shoulders curl forward, and his arms tuck against his sides.
“It’s okay, Maddox, no harm done. It’s not like I didn’t know I was adopted.” I feel so lame saying that out loud.
“No, but I’m guessing there are things that you don’t know.”
“What do you mean?” I cock my head to the side as he casts his eyes downward.
“Nothing, forget I said anything. Please. Luna, I shouldn’t have said anything.” His eyes are pleading with me, and what more can I do but nod my head.
“Sure thing, consider it forgotten.” These guys just love to be confusing.
The rest of the week is rather uneventful, for the Academy at least. Aeron seems to be rather obsessed with my new found attitude and spends most nights in my room. Tucker never sought me out after my time with Emmet, so I don’t know what he wanted to show me, but clearly he’s changed his mind, and I’m trying to just let it roll over me and not be bothered by it. It’s probably better this way, I’m struggling to keep my emotions in check with three guys, let alone four, and I think Tucker would prove harder to keep from falling for than the others.
The second week follows suit, and I’m getting into a rhythm. Although, I still feel as though I’ve barely scratched the surface of this ‘new’ me.
It’s the end of the second week, Aeron has been gone for the last five days, but I think he’s back today at some point. I get up and find a handwritten note waiting for me on my kitchen counter.
Meet me tonight outside the maze, my Star, nine pm. Do not be late.
Your Prince.
Fuck no, I’m not going anywhere near that damn maze, and I don’t care how much of a twist his panties end up in. Two people have been attacked within there, I do not plan on becoming the third. I grab one of the freshly baked scones I made last night before sitting down on my sofa and switching Netflix on. It’s a Sunday, and no one has made any claims, so I don’t see any point in leaving this room unless I absolutely have to.
I get engrossed in the Peaky Blinders world, loving the way they speak, and the British accent. And the fact that they’re complete assholes, which just make me think of the Harkwrights. I get through the first three episodes before someone taps on my door, and I shake my head before walking over and pulling it open to find Dustin looking down at me. Although, he’s not as tall as my guys. Shit, did I just think of them as my guys, and who exactly was I including in that sentiment?
“Hey, Dustin, everything okay?” I ask, arching my body until it’s shielded by the door, as I remember I’m only wearing a thin cami and a pair of sleep shorts, and I’m not exactly wearing a bra. My cheeks are heating already, and I hate how easy it is to make me blush.
“I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind talking me through that souffle again. No matter what I do, mine always seems to sink and it’s driving me crazy. I know we are not allowed to be alone together, but I thought if we went to the kitchens, we’d be safe enough.” Internally, I’m sighing hard, but in reality, I nod my head and hold my finger up before closing the door.