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“It’s just a game, Autumn. Not even for money or status. It’s just a fucking game and no one cares. Not really. No one cares if you die in a game. If you just…disappear.”
He was definitely not okay. “I’ll reschedule the match.”
“Yeah. You do that.” He got up and walked around me and out of the office.
Something was very wrong. I just…didn’t know what to do. I made quick work of snooping around the desk, but that revealed absolutely nothing. I couldn’t break into his computer without him knowing, so that wasn’t going to work. I was in a funk when I wandered out to the common area and found Cass consoling one of the bunnies.
I tried not to be in their business, but when I head the name, I couldn’t help myself. “What happened to her?”
“She’s dead.” The girl wiped her tears. Cass looked at me and shook her head. I wouldn’t press for more.
“My condolences.” I did a little nod and then headed over to Storm’s room because they also needed to know this. Every step had me feeling a chill that crept up my legs, then my spine. Why didn’t he just tell me?
I went to tap on the door when it opened, and Storm reacted with a wide-eyed expression and a step back. “Shit. Make louder noises when you walk.” He must have sensed it because he asked, “What happened?”
Holly emerged from the bathroom as I said, “Thalia’s…gone.”
Storm closed the door after I entered his room. They waited and I shook my head. “I don’t know what happened. He’s…not okay. I…don’t know what to do.”
I also didn’t know why I was about to get all weepy over it. Holly moved in and hugged me and said, “It’s okay. We’re here for him. All of us. You aren’t alone.”
Wow. She understood why I was upset before I even registered it. Bonus of growing up with a dad in the psychiatric field. At least when he wasn’t screwing her head up.
Winston
Apollo assured me that his connect picked up Thalia and that she was going to be safe. He also confirmed that he had no idea his brother was part of any flesh trafficking but would find out.
I returned to Sophomore House and found my travel bag packed and three people waiting on me. “Uh.”
Storm said, “Let’s go. My mom will be pissed if we miss dinner and it is the one time of year, I am allowed to just…eat.”
I was so mentally exhausted from this semester, I just…followed them. Autumn had grabbed my bag. Probably packed it for me and I didn’t even have the decency to take it from her. Holly opened the back door to Storm’s SUV and I realized that was for me. I climbed in, and she followed. Autumn loaded my bag and got in the front passenger seat next to Storm who asked, “Everyone good?”
Good? I was not a good person. Not a good man. Not anywhere near good these days.
I pushed a woman who trusted me off a cliff. Sure, I had confidence if she could swim, she would survive, but what if she didn’t? What if she hit one of the submerged rocks or—
“Hey.” Holly gripped my fingers harder. “I’m sorry about Thalia.”
“No, you’re not.” I frowned over at her. No need to lie.
She glared back at me. “Yes. I am. Sure, I wanted her out of our lives, but…not like that.”
“Doesn’t matter.” I was bubbling with so many truths I wanted to share but couldn’t. “It’s done now.”
Autumn gave me an expression only I could see since it was in the side mirror. I knew then she was worried that I had done something. I had. Just…not what she thought. Well, not for real. To get the focus off of me, I asked, “Music or what for this ride?”
Storm cut their protests off by turning on some music. I tuned in to that and at some point, must have tuned out completely since I woke up to the feel of fingers running through my hair and Holly whispering, “I’ll stay with him.”
“Okay.” Autumn. “I’ll grab you drinks and snacks.”
The door shut softly, and I opened my eyes and turned to look up at Holly. She smiled down at me and pushed my hair again with those magical fingers. “Feel better?”
“I was tired.” That was true and I could admit it.
“Are you going to be okay? At dinner, I mean. I know you are going to be fine overall.” She smiled and it was like a nice, warm blanket just crawled around my heart. I nodded. “You don’t have to talk about anything, but we are all here for you if you ever want to. Okay?”
“I’m messed up.” I didn’t mean to say that out loud.
