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“I’m the oldest of my siblings, so I naturally inherited the seat from my father. I’ve known about it my whole life. My brothers know about the society. Even though they’re not voting members, they were still raised knowing if I didn’t produce an heir, one of them would gain my seat. It’s how it’s done in the society. So the fact you were named is new, and people are curious.”
“Richard is my ex-stepfather, and he has Blake, and for whatever reason, he gave his seat to me at the last minute, which I’m trying to understand.”
Tucker squinted his eyes and shook his head. “Chan, you’ve been named his successor to the blood seat for years. It’s been in the works since before I became a full-fledged member.”
My gaze pierced Tucker’s as the shock had me stalling for a moment, and I only blinked at him as I worked it out in my head. I assumed it had come to me at the last minute.
“We were all curious about you joining, as it has never been done before, but you remained silent at the last meeting, which intrigued everybody even more. You’ve been the belle of the ball, and people are waiting to see what you do with your fortunate opportunity. You’re the first blood seat from a lower class who hadn’t had to pledge and prove themselves. All eyes are on you.”
If I were in a cartoon, it’d be the moment I took a large, exaggerated gulp. Because, gee, no pressure.
“Well, this landed in my lap, so I’m taking it all in. Learning by the seat of my pants. I don’t even know what I want to do, and now I have this society at my back to help make everything grander than I initially ever wanted.” I didn’t know what had made me spill my thoughts to this man, but it helped. I didn’t have to be cloak and dagger with him. It also helped that he was virtually a stranger. Sometimes talking to people who weren’t invested in you made things immensely easier.
“You should take some business classes. Business will be your best bet if you aren’t going the political route. It’ll open your mind, and you can make anything you’re interested in work with a business degree.”
Nodding my head, I agreed. He had a point.
“I better let you return to studying. I was heading out. I had hoped to finish a few pages of my thesis, but now I must get to the office. Work’s never-ending.” Tucker stood from his seat. “Things will get easier, and you’ll learn as you go. It helps to know Abel has your back and is majorly invested in you.”
The little smile on my face couldn’t be ignored because, with everything, I loved how Abel had my back, and everybody knew it. It demonstrated how much Abel showed others how much he cared.
“Thank you, Tucker. I appreciate the advice.”
“Any time. I’ll see you around.”
A solid hour went by as I studied and absorbed all the information given. No way I wasn’t going to ace these midterms. My cell pinged with a text.
Abel: Why are you at a bar downtown and not on campus?
Furrowing my brows, I looked around the library, but outside the window, a bar sat across the street I hadn’t noticed before. It was more like a pub, but still strange to be right next to the library, where children frequented, but I shrugged my shoulders.
Me: For one, I’m not at a bar. I’m at the public library, and two, how the hell do you know where I am?
Abel: I’m tracking your phone. You shouldn’t have gone. We have a way better library here on campus.
Irritation blossomed, and I pounded my thumbs against the letters as I texted.
Me: When did you start tracking my phone? And don’t be snobby about the library. I lived in these public libraries for most of my life, and they have served me well.
Abel: I’ve always tracked you, but now even more so with all the fucking incidents happening to you. You need to always tell me where you’re at or going.
Me: Abel, you’re not my father. I don’t have to tell you where I’m going every second.
Abel: Fuck that. I can’t protect you if I don’t know where you’re at. How did you even get there?
Abel’s latest batch of control had me setting the phone on the table and taking a moment to decompress and work through what he was really mad about. It was obvious he was worried, and after the fight last night, anger was easier for him to emote now.
Me: I borrowed Ella’s car and needed to get away, so I came to the library to study and focus. Happy now?
The three bubbled dots flashed as quickly as I hit send, and Abel was on the ball with his reply.
Abel: No, I want you back here. You can study here.
Me: No.
Abel: No. What do you mean no?
Me: Exactly that, no.
