Page 6 of Fueled Fury

4

Austin

The gray-headed battle-ax impatiently looks over her glasses at me as she asks, “Are you certain Haine is the place for you?”

“Yes.” Even though no one wants me here—including, apparently, this disapproving university employee. For the first time, I feel like I’m right where I’m supposed to be. Besides, age hasn’t quite equated to wisdom in my experience. The so-called adults I was half-assed raised by are two of the most ignorant, dismal people I know.

“You’ll lose all your third-year credits from fall.”

“I know.”

“Alrighty.” She shakes her head in disappointment, something I’m well-adjusted to, as she looks back to her computer monitor. “We’re ending the second week of classes now, so you’re already coming in behind.”

Starting out behind isn’t something new to me. Besides, it just makes victory that much sweeter. “Got it.”

She stops clicking on the keyboard and returns a judging glare to me. “Welcome to Haine.”

“Thanks,” I grin, standing from the chair before heading out of the office. Even if it wasn’t exactly a warm welcome, it’s the best one I’ve gotten so far.

Walking into the Coyote Café, I purchase two cups of coffee, put condiments in one and leave the other black, then sit at a table that gives me a clear view of the entrance. Only, the wrong person enters, spots me, then walks over and pulls a chair out before having a seat across the table from me. Each movement is unhurried, his watchful eyes studying me. It’s not like I’m the hotheaded one who’d lost it this morning. That was him.

Eli leans forward, placing his elbows on the table as he says, “Leave her alone.”

“Who?” I ask, taking a generous swallow of coffee.

“She’s had a hard enough time getting past everything without you showing up.”

“Getting past what exactly?”

“Stop fucking around. You know exactly what I’m talking about.”

“If you already knew, then why the show this morning?”

“Because she wasn’t ready. And it further proves my point that you’re an evil piece of shit who only wants to hurt her.”

“Well played.” I nod, already knowing that he’s a pro at keeping up his good-guy front but thoroughly surprised this go-round.

“Now, go away. Just leave her in peace and let her move on,” Eli demands, falsely presuming he actually has any control over what’s happening. His biggest mistake yet.

“Move on with who? You?” I laugh.

He keeps assuring everyone—including Lainey—that he doesn’t want her like that, but he sure as fuck wants her far away from me.

“Any dickweed would be better for her than you.”

“True.” The thought of Lainey being with anyone else pulls on every nerve ending throughout my body. She belongs with me.

“Then just leave her be.” Falling back in his chair, Eli has the same frustrated look that he’d get as a child when he didn’t get his way, which wasn’t often.

“Noted.”

“So, get out of here.”

“What makes you think I’m here for her? Maybe I’m just enjoying a cup of Coyote Brew.” I hold the paper cup up before taking a swig.

Eli reaches across the table, grabs the second cup, and pulls off the lid to examine the contents. “Half and half, sugar, and a dash of cinnamon. Not your usual go-to, Austin.”

“People change.”