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Shit.
I drop my head back against the door and inhale a shuddering breath.
Theo Ashworth might not scare me, but something tells me he’s trouble.
And I’ve always had a problem with steering clear of that.
* * *
The next day, I oversleep. I want to say it’s because I slept so well that I couldn’t bear waking up when my alarm went off.
But it wasn’t.
I barely got any, since I kept tossing and turning. Theo’s smirk haunting the corners of my mind.
The Ashworth siblings clearly have issues, and I’d do well to stay away from them both. But Millie is in my therapy group—she’s in my dorm—it’s going to be hard to avoid her.
Besides, something tells me she might need a friend.
After snoozing my alarm, more times than necessary, I finally drag myself out of bed and pad into the small en suite. I’m not used to this kind of privacy.
In a group home or busy foster home, stealing more than ten minutes alone time in the bathroom was a luxury. Yet here I can take my time. I can enjoy a shower without worrying that someone might pick the lock and slip inside. Or that someone might try and rifle through my belongings while I’m out of my room.
I’m used to always looking over my shoulder. Keeping one eye on the door. Never letting my guard down.
I’m not used to… tothis.
But I relish it. Take time scrubbing my skin, my hair. I’m already late for my first class so I might as well enjoy it.
By the time I’m done, I’m clear-headed and ready to face the day. But that all goes out of the window when I slip out of my room and spot Millie in the communal kitchen.
Walk away, Raine. Don’t get involved. Don’t—
“I can feel you staring,” she says quietly, lifting tired eyes to mine.
“Sorry. I didn’t expect anyone to be here. I’m late.”
“I’m… yeah.” Her shoulders lift in a small, defeated shrug. “I’m sorry about yesterday. Theo is… well, he’s an overbearing idiot. But he’s a good big brother.”
“I can handle Theo,” I reply, and her eyes widen a fraction. “Oh, I didn’t mean…”
“Don’t worry. You’re not his type.”
Ouch.
“Oh no, I didn’t mean it like that.”
“It’s fine.” I brush her off.
“I just meant Theo likes girls who fall in line. He doesn’t appreciate being challenged.”
“I hadn’t noticed.”
“Of course you hadn’t.” Her lips twist in amusement, and I realise the younger Ashworth sibling sees a lot more than she perhaps lets on.
“So, he’s an Heir…” I regret the words the second they’re out. But I can’t deny I’ve wondered exactly what it means.
Millie scoffs. “Stupid, right?”
