I can see how this would look bad, and honestly, it is bad.
“What does that have to do with her classes?” Gavin scoffs, pulling a face.
“I was ensuring she survived her first week with double the amount of classes as everyone else and dealing with your asses,” Dimitri snaps, and that seems to shut Gavin up.
He does have a point, and while Gavin might not like Wren, this is literally Dimitri’s job. It’s not as if he can simply ignore her because of their rivalry; that would be wrong.
“Not that it’s any of your business.” Dimitri runs a hand through his long hair before he quickly throws it up in a low bun.
I look back over my shoulder at the Dean's office door, and I know I need to wrap this up.
Time to cut to the chase, I suppose.
“She asked because she’s sleeping on the couch,” I say, turning back around to face him. Gavin suddenly can’t seem to look at his brother, and Dimitri, who had managed to cool off slightly, seems even more upset now.
“What!?” he bellows, looking from me to his brother and back again. “Tell me you aren’t serious. That’s bullshit, and you know it.”
I nod because, yeah, I agree, but Gavin doesn’t. I get the feeling he hasn’t put much thought into it, and if he has, he’s probably convinced himself she deserves it. If this were someone else, he would see, but everything is clouded when it comes to Wren.
She’s dangerous for all of us, which is the main reason I’m having to go through with this meeting despite what Gavin might think.
“You know she can’t have the extra room,” I remind him because he knows; he’s one of the few outside of us that do. Dimitri might be Gavin’s older brother, but he’s always been there for all of us. He feels more like a brother to me than my own brothers do, though I guess that doesn’t mean much given my family.
It takes him a second, but I see the understanding as it dawns on him, and his eyes fall closed before he takes what I can only guess is meant to be a calming breath in through his nose and blows it out his mouth.
Gavin and I share a glance, and I see the same concern in his eyes that I feel deep inside as well.
Maybe Gavin wasn’t so wrong in his questioning; Dimitri seems uncharacteristically upset about this over a student he ‘mentors.’
Or maybe he’s just already having a bad day, and I’m looking at this the wrong way. I feel like that would make more sense. Why would he ever be interested in Wren? She’s a student, one of his, and he’s her guidance counselor.
No, Dimitri is a very reasonable guy; he would never look at a student like that, much less his brother's rival.
Right?
Dimitri pinches the bridge of his nose, and I know he’s deep in thought. Gavin might be book smart, but Dimitri’s brain is just as impressive in other ways.
“And Julian can’t put it up and take it back down as needed?” he asks, still not opening his eyes, and I get the feeling he knows the answer already.
“Could he, probably?” I shrug because I don’t know for sure, but I know he’s powerful as hell, so I imagine he could. “But that doesn’t matter. We really did gut that room to make a gym prior to Father’s brilliant idea. There’s no bed or anything in there…”I let my words trail off and wait for him to peel open his eyes to look at me.
“But even if he could, and I’m sure he would for her, opening and closing a portal that often would be damning. One mess-up and suddenlyanyonehas access to our room.” I keep my voice low despite the hall being mostly empty.
I’m vague, but like I said, Dimitri knows us, which means he knows what I’m trying to say.
The fight drains out of him, and I know he knows I’m right.
Again, I glance down the hall toward my father's office, but this time he notices, and his eyes soften in a way I hate.
I don’t need pity, and while I know that’s not exactly what it is with Dimitri and the guys, it still feels like it makes me lesser, weak.
“Go, don’t be late on my account.” He jerks his head toward the door, and I glare at him for a moment before I turn away.
“But this isn’t over, you two. Wren’s been through enough; she deserves her own space and a fucking bed. She’s not a damn pet.”
I don’t turn back around, but I nod my agreement, and this time it’s impossible to miss it, that hint of possessiveness in his tone.
For now, it will have to wait. I have exactly two minutes to get to my father and talk even more about the girl I’d rather pretend didn’t exist...
