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The whole Austin killing his brother bomb can’t be true. The world would know it.Off Topicwould have run it. Amy would have led with the brother thing, not her father having a heart attack. And she wouldn't be here, cheering on Austin.
I never wanted to date an elite, so technically, it's his fault. He’s clawed his way in, much like the alpha reputation he has, and I’ll end up with the scars. I have no idea what we are, but I know that he’s not pursuing anyone else, and neither am I. Does that make us exclusive? Do we have to put a label to it? Everyone else has done that for us. All I know is that he's pushed his way in, him and his crew, and I don't know what to do without them now.
Can I still trust him when he didn't tell me about his father? About his brother? I never even knew about his sister until she'd turned up. We aren’t having sex. We clearly aren’t talking. I’m getting intense vibes that we are the world’s best avoiders.
I sigh.
For once, I wish Avery was here. At least her constant questions would stop mine. I grab my bag, push my buds into my ears, and head out for my brisk walk to campus, Harry Styles rocking my afternoon. I try not to think about the other campus ‘Harry’, and the fact it's been quiet onOff Topicrecently. I don't believe in the saying, 'no news is good news'. It’s a bad sign. News lurks and then knocks you on your ass. That’s why I’m constantly waiting. Worrying.
People stare as I walk across the grass towards the entrance. I notice several gawkers and duck my head, letting my hair shield me. When will they forget about the things said on that damn podcast? I know everything Austin related, or BB crew related, is considered news.
But I'm not.
If they know what's happening between me and Austin, they won't think it's newsworthy. One kiss, a toe curling one, would leave them disappointed. Noah waves as I enter the languages building. I smile, afraid to stop and chat. Not being able to control what comes out of people's mouths is becoming an obsessive disorder for me. I guess it's part of being with the elite. Everyone feels they are entitled to offload their opinions.
The good.
The bad.
And the downright nasty.
I turn onto the corridor leading to my lecture room and hear laughter, as well as a mixture of voices.I frown walking as quickly as I can. I enter the doorway and instantly see Harry standing in the middle of the room. All eyes are on him. Just the way he likes it. I feel like I've jinxed my life because I’d thought about him. His cell is in his hand as a woman speaks.
"Oh, Mia!" Harry waves his free hand in an exaggerated manner.
I show my teeth as I growl. He’s such a dick. How many times can I punch him until I feel better? I’ve never been the violent type, but this man, and Zac, bring it out in me. I swallow my initial response?which is to tell him to fuck off?and smooth my features.
"It's my new podcast!" He grins.
I know that shit-eating grin, it means he’s got a plan, and it’s not good.
I growl, losing control a little. "And you know where you can shove it." I make my way to my chair, the furthest one away from him because I don't trust myself.
"Oh, come on! I thought you'd be interested in meeting the family!"
My heart stops.
That doesn't mean what I think it means, does it?
The woman's voice says his name as if on cue. "Who is that?" I ask, even though my heart already knows. Harry laughs. I stalk towards him. "Harry!" I snap, clenching my fists.
Harry can't quite cover the fear laced within the cocky. "I wanted the whole story."
"Whole. Story?" I mutter.
Shit. How had it got out? He's going to blame me because we’d left.
"Austin's littlesecret..."
I clench my fists. Austin shared two things after the regatta, which one made it to the podcast?
"You know, daddy issues… and his dead brother."
Red mist drowns my vision as I pull in a pinched breath. Austin isn’t here to defend himself, and I’d let him down yesterday. Well, I won’t be doing that again.
For the second time, I pounce at Harry, and this time I’m going for the jugular.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN ¦ WORDS HURT
