My moment of reprieve vanishes the moment I reenter the bar and line up to order. I gnaw on the inside of my cheek, surrounded by tables of lively students in matching team colors. Even if I swapped my Doc Martens and black clothing for the college sporting jersey or a bright sorority top, I’d never fit in. Not like Parker. It’s not in my blood.
The couple in front of me shuffles forward to order and I glimpse a young woman sitting at the end of the bar, chatting to one of the female bartenders.It can’t be.My stomach does an awkward somersault. I should turn and run, but my feet stay rooted to the spot.
The young woman has the same high cheekbones and small chin. The same strong nose, spattered with freckles.Her wavy brown hair’s shorter, but her mannerisms haven’t changed—legs crossed, ankles tangled together as she fiddles with the cuff of her sleeve.
A heavy weight pulls on my heart. She’s still humbly unaware of how everyone who steps into her orbit is drawn toward her. Her unique blue-brown eyes are cast downward at her hands, fiddling with her sleeve. A sad smile creeps across my face. She’s the only girl I’ve ever met who’d describe partial heterochromia as a curse.
The bartender passes her a jacket and she slips it on, her shoulders dropping as if she was missing a small part of herself without it. She slips off the stool and grabs her bag. I take a step toward her and stop, my heart pounding.What am I doing? We swore to stay out of each other’s pasts.I need to go. Now.
I turn to flee and collide with solid muscle.Parker.We can still leave before any damage is done.
“Parker, let’s go,” I say, pulling him away, but he resists me. His eyes are glued to the woman, his face twisted in regret. I glance between him and the woman at the bar, and a prickling heat spreads across my chest. “Did you know she was going to be here?” Not waiting for his answer, I yank him toward the door.
Parker convinced me to come here to meet with McGregor. Did he have an ulterior motive this whole time?
I let go of him and storm toward the closest exit, throwing myself into the cool night air. The door swings open behind me.
“Rose, stop.”
I whip around and draw in a ragged breath, my heart thumping in synchrony with my hammering head. “Why?So you can waste another six months of my life lying to me? Admit it, you brought us here for her.”
Parker’s broad chest expands in a slow breath. “It’s not like that.”
“Then tell me what it’s like, Parker.” I shove my hands into his chest, my full body weight behind my assault, but he barely moves. “Ugh, I’m such an idiot. Do you have any idea what this is like for me? Holding you in this time with me, twenty-four seven, for six fucking months.” I gesture to my pounding head. “Stuck with this relentless headache. I thought you had a plan.”
I storm away from him and find myself staring at the Charles. The city lights reflect off the dark water, a reminder of the world that cast me aside. My heart sinks. It feels like only yesterday that Matthews turned on us, and now here it is again—the pain of utter betrayal. I was a fool for helping Parker. His hand closes around my wrist and I rip my arm out of his hold, as if scalded.
“Wait,” he says, his voice gruff. “I knew McGregor would be herebecauseof her. He’s one of her lecturers. It’s how I knew to come here, to this time. So, I mean, I knew we might see her, but that’s not why—” Parker drags a hand across his freshly-shorn hair. “Our plan is solid. This changes nothing.”
Parker’s a terrible liar.
“This changeseverything. Us being here puts her in danger. What were you thinking?”
I draw in heaving breath after breath, my pounding headache now a vicious stabbing.Parker’s just using me to get what he wants. I mean nothing to him. Why am I even doing this?I bring my hands to my temples, trying to silencethe barrage of thoughts swarming my skull.Send him back home. Be done with him. Then I’ll have what I want—to be safe and alone.
“Rose?” Parker’s voice sounds miles away.
With only myself to count on, the way it’s always been. The way I like it.The thrashing in my head builds to a crescendo and I turn away from him, a strangled cry ripping from my throat. I drag my hands down my face.
“Rose? What’s going on? Rose!”
Parker’s plea fades. A door materializes before me, and I walk through it into my bedroom.
“What’s going on?” I ask, shutting the door behind me. Flame’s in bed, leaning against the headboard. She turns toward me and I tense. Her left eye is swollen shut, the surrounding skin a deep purplish black.
She flinches as she pushes herself upright. “I made a deal with Matthews. I said I’d help him with his shield if he trains us in the gym every morning.”
“Us?” The word sounds foreign on my tongue.
She nods, brows arched, a tiny smile on her face. “You and me.”
“You know we’re competing against each other, right? I could use what he teaches us against you.”
“I know. But I trust you.” She glances down to her hands, the white bedsheet looped around her fingers. “And if anyone’s going to make it to the final test, I’d hope it was one of us.”
“But—how will I repay you?”
“Rose, wake up!” Parker shouts.
