Page 10 of Mercy & Malice

She gives me a concerned glance and hesitates before questioning, “Are you sure? Maybe it was Luca. I’m not sure where he and Cain went off to.”

I shake my head, feeling crazy. But am I? I’m both second-guessing myself and praying he’s real. But I’ve never confused the two of them before, and Ivy is one of the few able to tell them apart too. “Would you ever mistake Micah for Luca even if he’s across the room and wearing the same thing?”

Her expression softens as she shakes her head, because she knows there is no arguing with that. She’d never mistake them and finally admits it aloud. “No. And I’m certain you wouldn’t either … under normal circumstances. Maybe it’s more just wishful thinking because you miss him so much.”

I do. I miss him so much it hurts. But I did not imagine him. When I look back to Ivy, she tells me, “I’ll find Luca and Cain to check if they’ve seen him. Stay put, I’ll be right back.”

“Okay,” I agree even knowing she’s still wondering if I’m having a delusional episode.

My knees feel unsteady, so I go back to the table and sit down, still searching around.

A few minutes pass before I spot Ivy walking back with Luca and Cain. When they get to the table, she shakes her head. “They haven’t seen him.”

That doesn’t mean he isn’t here. I keep surveying the gym. “Where were the two of you?”

“Just getting some air. Sorry I disappeared on you.” Cain steps beside me and holds out his hand. “Would you like to dance?”

No. But it might give me a better vantage point of the gym. “Sure.”

Even as we sway on the dance floor, I continue to scan the crowd.

Cain leans forward, his mouth next to my ear. “If it was him, he’ll make it known when he’s ready.”

“Well, I’m ready enough for the both of us.” I relax a little, though I can’t help peeking occasionally.

“We could always give him a little incentive. Provoke him to show.” Cain gives me a devious smirk. “But it’d not be beneficial to my health for sure. However, I know Micah would never be able to contain himself if I kissed you.”

Kiss me? My eyes snap to his, muscles tensing as I search his expression, wondering if he’s serious. “We’re just friends, Cain. You know that, right?”

He taps his finger on my chin. “I know. I’m just worried about you. We’ve lost so much to that damn game that I don’t want to risk anyone else I care about. Even if it means taking a gamble on a broken nose to extract Micah from the woodwork.”

“It probably wasn’t him.” I don’t believe that for a damn second, and neither does Cain.

“He’ll show. Give him a minute. We all dealt with that ordeal in our own way.”

Snippets from that ordeal replay in my head as a shiver slithers down my spine. I don’t even realize I’ve frozen until I hear Cain say, “Brooke, what is it?”

I close my eyes to make the lie easier. “Nothing. Just tired”

Before he can further question me, my mom catches my attention and taps on her watch before she motions for me to follow her. She’s already walking to the stage before I register what she means.

“I have to make announcements. I’ll be right back.” I make my way through the crowd then get on stage and stand near Mom as she steps to the microphone and the music dies down.

“Welcome,” is all I hear her say before I zone out, scanning every set of eyes in front of me. All behind masks.

It’s only when I hear Mom say my name that I realize she’s stopped talking and it’s now my turn. I know I agreed with Callie that I would make the speech, but I’m deeply regretting that decision right now. My brain is a jumbled mess. However, I put a smile on my face and begin to recall the words I practiced all morning.

It’s going smoothly enough as I switch into auto mode. “Thanks to everyone who pitched in to help. Currently we’ve met our goal, but don’t let it stop you from contributing. The silent auction is a great way to do that and open the door for more students to attend Belgrave on scholarship.”

“Or their mommy can be the principal,” Julian shouts as the crowd laughs.

Bastard. Yes, I’m only at Belgrave because my mom is the principal. But he’s an asshat. “Yes, Julian, not all of us have rich daddies to pay our way.”

There’re a few oohs and aahs from the audience. Julian looks pissed for a second before he shouts, “Give me a little show while you’re on stage, and I’ll throw a few of Daddy’s dollars your way.”

Everything in me wants to throat punch him and shove his daddy’s dollars down his throat so he’ll shut the hell up for once. “We all know that’s the only way you get any action.”

All of his smugness disappears because the truth fucking hurts. “At least people don’t run away to get away from me.”