Page 74 of Mad Boys


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“She thought you might, so I brought everything as commanded. If you could put in a good word for me, she promised fudge brownies in the New Year for my cheat day.”

I laughed. “I solemnly swear to tell her.” I practically hugged the bag to me. “I can’t invite you in, but we could…”

“No, no. You have finals and your break coming, I just wanted to deliver it to you personally and make sure you were doing okay.” The news article.

“Actually,” I told him. “I’m doing more than all right. Call me if you get to see Mom?”

“I will. I’ll give her your love, too.” Just as long as he didn’t deliver it with a dick pic.

Grinning, I gave him another hug. “Thank you again.”

“You’re welcome.”

I waited for him to get in his rental, and I waved at him before I turned to go inside. Davina sent the absolute best treats. Everything she sent was perfect for cramps and PMS. I needed to text Aubrey. We always shared the cookies.

I didn’t even make it two full steps inside before Lachlan was just there. “What the hell is he doing here, Ace?” He dipped his head. “And why are you hugging him…?”

He barely brushed my lips with his and I pushed him back. At his smirk, I scowled and then I swung. My fist wasn’t Jonas’ but it caused enough impact to jar my arm and startle him.

“Damn, Ace.”

“Fuck off, Lachlan,” I said, then started up the stairs.

“You know…this just makes you hotter,” he called after me.

I didn’t turn around. “Ninja kiss me again, asshole, and find out.”

Twenty-Five

RAMSEY

The past few days had been an exercise in restraint and discipline. The school put me on notice regarding the photograph of my “inappropriate” behavior with a student. I was warned to avoid Kaitlin Crosse and to keep all interactions strictly professional, whether she was my stepsister or not.

Right.

I was to have no private conversations with her regarding the investigation. The dean, my advisor, and the board would be conducting their own investigation. It would be quiet, it would be discreet, and it could result in my immediate termination.

The stomach dropping sensation seemed a permanent addition to my day to day. Jonas still wasn’t talking to me, and I had zero idea what he would say if questioned. Lachlan walked around like he was master of the fucking universe and shebelongedto him and no one else.

Arrogant little shit.

I was forced to keep my distance, while obsession seemed to fuel Lachlan’s rather relentless pursuit. I’d had to keep my phone on silent permanently. Our mother’s last message had been ominous enough I debated blowing off Tahoe for Christmas entirely.

As far as I knew, Gibs was still in the studio, the latest album had been slow going work. They’d also lost a couple of old band members. Her frustration level had to be high. Either way, I didn’t want to deal with her rants about KC.

Keeping an eye on KC from afar was a lot more challenging. If the board slapped me down and fired me, well, I had been the one to kiss her, not once but twice.

Technically three times, but who was counting…

More than once I’d seen the worry on her face as she got off a call. A couple of times, watching her when she didn’t know I was there, I recognized the exhaustion that would creep into her expression.

The unnerving part? How swiftly she erased it when others were around. It was like she had to pretend nothing touched her. Her smile was easy and generous. Her attention focused.

But she wasn’t sharing her authentic self with any of these people…

The concept baffled me until I came to one truly uncomfortable realization. Why the fuck should she share who she was with any of us? Not when some asshole was just right there waiting to monetize that vulnerability.

Or tear her down when she opened up.

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