Page 116 of Monstrous Serpent

“Expected that from Shaw.”

He quirks a brow. “Try the three-second rule if shit falls on the floor. And if you try to pick it up, Calix throws that fucking knife of his into it. Nearly took off my finger last week.”

Whitmore clicks to the next slide. “How many of you have cleaned your room specifically because someone was coming over? That's staging. You're setting the scene for the version of yourself you want them to meet.”

Except if you're Atlas.

The material today lands in a way that most of her lectures don't. By the end of class, I’ve taken more notes than I ever have. And for once, I’m not looking to rush out.

My phone buzzes.

Atlas: Heading to Crestwood

Me: I’ll meet you in the lot in twenty

Atlas: Already on my way there. See you in a bit

I read the last text again.

Atlas doesn't go anywhere alone. Not since my uncle abducted him. If I'm not with him, someone else is. That's how it's been for five years.

My breathing becomes shallow. I want to leave, to catch up to him.

But this is his choice.

He’s going by himself.

For Cody.

I set my phone face down beside my notebook and force myself to stay in the chair, doing my best to ignore the prickling building under my skin.

Chapter 28

Atlas

I shove my hands into my pockets, pull them out, crack my knuckles, shove them back in. The gummy I took before the ride isn't doing shit. My hands—my entire fucking body—keep shaking, and it has nothing to do with the cold ass bench I’m sitting on.

Should’ve waited for Hunter to come with.

Except I can't keep doing that forever. Can't be the guy who needs a six-foot-ten bodyguard to go pick up our boyfriend from school, and I definitely can't be that guy when I'm playing in the NHL and Hunter's in a different city and I have to walk to my car alone in a parking garage without having a full meltdown.

Wade's in prison. Has been for five years.

So why the fuck can’t I move forward?

Because the fucking psycho’s parole hearing is next year. And he could . . . he could get out.

My knee bounces, heart hammering against my ribs. Hope Cody gets done soon. But I don’t want to rush him, not after it took fifteen texts to get my boyfriend to tell me he’s in the Academic Resource Center Building.

Five minutes later, the door to the building opens, and Cody steps out, baseball cap backward, blond curls poking out at the sides. His bag is slung over one shoulder, and he's looking down at his phone, thumb scrolling, bottom lip caught between his teeth.

I exhale, the shaking in my hands easing to a tremor as my fists unclench.

He lifts his head and looks around. When our eyes meet, he grins. But it’s faint, barely there.

Yeah no. Hate that shit.

“Oh, hi, Cody.” His ex waves, all bouncy ponytail and a fake-sweet smile.