“The plot thickens,” Grant says, tapping his fingers on the table. “Dun dun duuun.” Georgia smiles over at him.
“I should get back,” Georgia says, closing the laptop. “I have a paper due tomorrow.”
Madeline shifts in my lap like she’s going to stand, but I tighten my grip on her hip. “I’ll walk you.”
“You don’t have to,” she starts.
“I know.” I stand, lifting her with me, keeping her close. “I’m doing it anyway. It’s the boyfriend thing to do.”
Grant stretches, cracking his neck. “Let me know if you need me to hack anything else for you. I’m your man.” He gives Georgia another wink that has the same effect as it did before. Georgia only nods but casts her gaze shyly toward the ground. Grant is going to have his work cut out for him. But if anyone can get Georgia to slowly come out of her shell, it’s him and his charismatic personality.
He punches my shoulder as he passes. I don’t react, too focused on Madeline and the way her hand finds mine like it’s automatic now.
The walk to the girls’ dorm is quiet. We trail slightly behind Georgia, who is now on the phone with her father’s secretary, I think she said. That is not an abnormal thing to hear around here.
Madeline’s thumb traces circles on my palm, nervous energy.
“Your brother,” she says finally.
“Yeah.”
“What do you think he wants? Are you in trouble? Are you going to tell him anything?” She fires off the questions. Madeline is worried about what my brother might ask about Murphy. I’m not. That’s not what he wants to really talk to me about. No, he’s going to lay in to me about Madeline. About how I shouldn’t be pursuing her.
“It’s fine,” I say, trying to be casual to calm her.
She stops at the dorm entrance, turning to face me. The light from inside catches her eyes, making them appear brighter. “Be careful.”
“I’m always careful.”
“Liar.” She rises on her toes, kissing me quickly and softly. “Text me afterward.”
Then she’s gone, pulling Georgia through the door, one backward glance before it closes. Does she realize she kissed me that time?
I stand there alone, the journal and laptop evidence burning in my memory, Madeline’s taste still on my lips. The walk to my brother’s place feels longer than it should, each step heavier, not wanting to deal with this tonight. I want to get back to the dorms. At least then I’m closer to Madeline.
I find my brother in his office. “Sit,” Bennett orders, nodding to one of the chairs in front of his desk. I stand there.
“I’m good right here.”
“I told you to be nice to the girl, not try to fuck her.” I take two steps toward him, and he lifts his hand and smirks. “Just making sure you’re serious about her.” Bennett exhales, leaning back in his chair.
“I’m dead fucking serious.” He nods. I’m not one to say shit I don’t mean. Neither is he. My brother and I can be a lot different and also a hell of a lot the same. I’ve seen the way he looks at Paislee. I didn’t truly understand his infatuation with a woman until Madeline stepped into my life. Now I get it.
“All right. But can you stop breaking into offices?”
“I can’t make any promises,” I rib him.
“Why did you two do it? You know something about Murphy?” I tell him a bit about the votes, making it seem like that’s what we found in her office today. “Why would she do that?” he asks, mostly to himself.
“I don’t know. You know Lana; she gets what she wants.”
“You think Lana paid her?” I shrug. No, I don’t think that, but it’s a more logical thought. More realistic. The kids at Kingmakers Prep are richer than the teachers by spades.
“Thanks for letting me know. If she doesn’t show up by tomorrow, we’ll have to announce it.” I nod. “Tell Madeline I appreciate her not saying anything.”
“Will do,” I say. “Anything else? I want to get back to the dorms and crash for the night.”
“If you need dating advice—” he starts to offer.
