AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Hey Greyson,” I breathe, cringing slightly at the way my tone softens for him.
“It’s good to see you.” His words come out as a delicious rumble, his eyes betraying the words he’s holding back. I swear I can see a hint of longing and pain in them, but it’s gone before I can be sure.
We’ve never discussed the obvious attraction we have for each other. We both skirted around the issue until it was settled for us when he left for school. Honestly, I’d rather keep it that way because I’m not quite sure I’ll be able to hold on to my resolve if he broaches that subject.
He gives me one final knowing look before he pulls his suitcase onto the seat next to him and closes the door, breaking our eye contact. I pull in a shaky breath, willing my heart to calm its frantic jackhammering pace. I don’t miss the almost silent laugh that escapes Carter, but I choose not to react since it would be blatantly obvious that he noticed the palpable sexual tension that’s thrumming between Greyson and me right now. Especially if I punch him in the arm like I want to.
“Well this is already looking like it’s going to be an interesting year,” Carter says, flashing me a smug smirk before he puts the car back in drive.
“Carter,” Greyson growls in warning, catching me off guard.
My eyes flash to the mirror, attempting to read the emotion on his face, but he’s looking away. Reluctantly I look away too, but my senses are on high alert. Had Carter pressed him the same way as he had with me in the car earlier? Had Greyson admitted anything to him?
I keep my eyes trained out the window, focusing on the houses as Carter turns the car around and we head back down the street. If I keep looking inside the car, I know I won’t be able to hold back the questions piling up in my mind.
“How have you been Aria?” Greyson asks. He clears his throat gruffly as if he hadn’t meant for those words to come out.
I pull in a deep breath and turn to face him. It was delusional to think I could look out the window the entire drive. We’ll be at the same school for the next year and there’s no way I’ll be able to avoid him. He’ll be by my brother’s side and Carter will be by mine.This will get easier, right?
“I’ve been good, just studying and trying to keep Glenda off my back,” I say, feigning a nonchalance I certainly don’t feel. “How about you?”
This conversation is so awkward. We were nearly as close as he and Carter are. Now we’re making cringey small talk while avoiding each other’s gaze. Instead I focus on his ear, refusing to get lost in his magnetizing golden-brown eyes again. Yep, ears are safe.
“Same with me, minus the Glenda part.” He chuckles, and I nearly get lost in the dazzling smile that stretches across his face.
I expect him to ask why I hadn’t kept in touch, why I hadn’t returned his calls in his first year away, but I have a feeling he knows why—we both do. When he left it was my chance to distance myself and as a seventeen-year-old, I hadn’t thought of the consequences. Like being trapped in a car and being in the same academy, not to mention the time after...
“So spill, what exactly am I going to be facing at Endcliffe Academy?” I ask, hoping to keep the conversation on safe subjects.
“Well, it’ll be pretty much like you’re back in high school, except this time we’re learning to hunt monsters,” Carter quips dryly.
“That’s what I was afraid of,” I groan, scrubbing a hand over my face in annoyance. We all may have gone our separate ways for university, but I know there will be a lot of my former classmates who were selected too.
Even though the humans feared us, there are far worse creatures that lurk in the night, stalking their every move, just waiting for the right moment to attack. Our coven has been amongst the leading families at the academy since its inception. That’s why Carter began last year too. As my second he’s also expected to have the skills of a monster hunter, along with my third.
“I heard Denver Prince is supposed to be enrolled this year too,” Greyson grimaces, giving me a sympathetic look.
That name shocks me from my thoughts like someone just poured a bucket of ice over me. A shiver runs up my spine and Greyson gives me a look of consolation, misreading my reaction entirely. Which I am A-okay with.
I know Denver is going to be here this year, but the nerves over seeing Greyson again overshadowed the dread and excitement that have been mixing in my gut at seeing the youngest Prince warlock in a few short minutes.
It’s no secret that the two of us have always been at each other’s throats—until the other night that is.
“Apparently he was already trying to push Aria’s buttons,” Carter says, turning back to look at Greyson conspiratorially over his shoulder. “They had it out at the party the other week.”
“I wish I could’ve been there to see that.” Greyson chuckles, giving me an appreciative look. My cheeks heat under his attention and I quickly turn back to the front, not wanting him to notice the redness creeping into them. “You always knew how to eviscerate a man with only your words.”
“Well I’m sure there will be many more chances for that this year,” I groan, already knowing that despite what happened between us and the issues that lie between our families, Denver won’t ease up. He’s always tried his best to antagonize me, and I would be lying if I said I didn’t go after him just as hard. At this point it’s expected of us. People would be suspicious if we didn’t compete against one another and throw barbs and insults at each other. But that fact doesn’t make me any less nervous about being around him.
Now that I know what those lips taste like, the feel of his muscular chest pressed up against mine, his thick cock—nope, not going there.
I lightly clear my throat, hoping the other two didn’t notice the brief moment my head has been in the clouds, or rather back between the sheets.
“Not that you need any help, but we have your back,” Greyson assures me, his voice strong yet comforting. I can’t help my traitorous eyes when they flick back up to the rearview mirror, searching for his. They lock onto his golden-brown ones immediately, as though he has been waiting for me.
My breath catches in my throat, the rest of the car fading from around us as I stay entranced in his gaze. He’s always been able to do this to me—every time our eyes lock, it’s like he can see into the deepest depths of my soul. My chest warms, and some of the awkwardness fades between us. At this moment, it feels like nothing has changed, no time has passed between us. I’m still that seventeen-year-old girl, pretending she doesn’t have a crush on her brother’s best friend.
Carter clears his throat, and I nearly jump out of my seat at the sudden noise and quickly turn to him. I’d almost forgotten we’re in a car with my meddling brother. The tension between Greyson and me was so thick, so all-consuming, that the rest of the world seemed insignificant at that moment.
