Page 155 of The Unravelings

“Well, we’re going to have fun! Daniel even said he’ll meet me there…” He trails off, a piece of pretzel hovering. “That’s cool, right? Daniel being there?” I nod, and Simon deflates. “Oh, good! Well, we’ll have fun. He won’t ask questions if you don’t want him to.”

I offer him a soft smile. “Thanks, Simon. For understanding me.” He really is a good friend. He’s never questioned why I’m Oliver and now Claire. He simply goes with the flow and protects me when I need it. “Tell Daniel I’m Oliver’s cousin Claire?” I question.

“You got it. My lips are sealed,” he says with a grin that quickly morphs into confusion. Digging in his pocket, he grabs his phone and looks at the screen. “Hmmm.”

“Is something the matter?” I ask after swallowing another bite and chewing slowly as I trace the worry lines on his forehead.

Simon’s nose wrinkles. “Wade texted. He’s out of the hospital, but his mom won’t let him come back to the dorms.” Well, that explains why he hasn’t been back since getting out. “He says he has to stay with her until she knows what was behind his attack. For his safety. Shit. What if they never catch this person?” Simon pales for a moment as his eyes glaze over.

Don’t worry, Si. I’ll get them. I’ll find out who is terrorizing people on campus and taking students like trophies.

“Any clues on who did it?” I ask because I haven’t been able to find anything out either. Not through any of my channels. It’s like the crime didn’t happen and no one is talking about it. Well, except us.

Simon shakes his head, chewing slower than before. “No. No clues on who did it. Scary stuff though. We have to stick together and be careful around here. It’s getting bad out there,” Simon whispers, shaking his head with fear sparking in his eyes.

“Do you think they’d ever shut down campus?” I slowly finish off my pretzel.

Simon shakes his head. “Nope. Don’t think that will ever happen. For reasons,” he says seriously, rubbing his fingers together.

Money. Of course. Makes sense. Why would Franco shut it down when he can keep leaching money from everyone? Besides, that would make everyone panic more.

“Me either…” My voice trails off as thoughts consume me. “They need to do something, though,” I murmur, and get lost in my thoughts as a comfortable silence descends on us.

Simon stares at his phone, grinning and typing a few things, giving me time to reflect on what the hell has happened today. My eyes wander through the crowd, people-watching. It’s amazing to take in everyone and mentally collect information.

My muscles stiffen when I catch sight of an unlikely person sitting ten feet away with a burger hovering close to his lips.

Stormy blue eyes.

They take me in from head to toe. Only stopping when his gaze connects with mine. My breath stalls in my chest when he blinks a few times and averts his eyes back to his table.

Fuck.

Wilder.

Sitting there in a tight T-shirt and jeans, eating a burger by himself. I swallow hard, discreetly looking around for Malic. Where Wilder is, Malic is usually lurking around.

My palms clam up as a familiar figure towers over their table. Malic. My target for tonight. Fuck. I can’t tear my eyes away from them as they speak to each other in low voices. Wilder shoves the rest of his burger into his mouth and stands before they leave together. But not before he peeks over his shoulder and looks at me again before walking out the exit.

Deep breaths, Liv. There’s no way Wilder recognized you. Sure, he’s seen you close up when you sparred. And sure, he might think I’m Oliver. But I can be convincing. Right?

Whatever.

The next time Wilder sees me, I’ll have a fresh face of makeup, no contacts, and my newest outfit on. Who would be able to tell it was me?

Hopefully no one.

43

Olivia

The moon hangs high in the sky by the time Simon and I sneak out of the dorm building and head toward my former childhood hangout. Every step I take. Every inch I get closer. The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, and my stomach rolls. The crowd’s noise filters through my ears as we stand beside the half-crumbling building covered in ivy. The ocean below crashes against the sharp rocks at the bottom of the cliff, echoing through the tall trees. An air of excitement and violence practically vibrates through my soul.

But so does the familiarity of home. Another place in this godforsaken town that reminds me of the past. The people. The times we had. It’s deep in my bones. Again.

“Holy shit,” Simon gapes, putting his arm under mine and taking me out of my thoughts. “This place is popping tonight!” he shouts happily, a grin taking over his lips.

His gaze lingers on the large crowd of college students, winding around the Coliseum and waiting to gain entry to the fights. Even I swallow hard at all the bodies huddled together, slowly moving forward.