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“I will. Dad gave me a list of whys that we don’t need to get into right now. Dad is making an appointment for Friday afternoon.” That is Gareth again.
Sifting through his words, completely confused about what’s happening, his next words have me rushing back to bed. It’s obvious they didn’t want me included in this conversation. “Let’s get some sleep. We need to concentrate on midterms. This can wait until later.”
Jumping back into Callum’s bed, my head races as I try to slow my breathing. I am thankful that they don’t come back right away, giving me some time to settle down. Feigning sleep, the bed dips as a warm body cuddles up behind me.
It takes a while for my mind to settle as sleep finally claims me.
CHAPTERTHIRTY-NINE
This week has been crazy. Kennedy went back to her own room Saturday, managing to avoid us. The few times we have seen her, her mood has been solemn and withdrawn. All of us have been preoccupied with the news Gareth came back with after having dinner with his dad.
It’s a solid plan that Mr. Worthington came up with.
Gareth is running out of time since he still hasn’t explained the situation to Kennedy. It’s Thursday afternoon, and the appointment is tomorrow afternoon. Callum has one test remaining tomorrow morning; the rest of us are done. Ashton, Gareth, and I are sitting in the dining hall, waiting for Kennedy and Callum.
Kassidy enters the dining hall, stepping into the food line. My eyes stay glued to the door, waiting for Kennedy to step in next. Kassidy sits at a table as far away from us as possible, glaring at our small group.
“Hey Gareth, what is her problem?” I ask, using my chin to indicate Kassidy. Gareth quickly looks over his shoulder, shrugging as he turns back to face us.
“Fuck if I know.”
Callum enters the large room alone. He quickly puts some food on a tray, making his way to our table. Setting his tray down, he looks at us, his face full of confusion.
“Where’s the Duchess?”
She should have been here by now. We all turn to look at Kassidy, who is no longer sitting at the table. Each of us spews various obscenities. Gareth scrubs his hands over his face.
“What is she up to?” he mutters. “Ashton, you check the library. Callum, you check the dorm, both of our rooms and hers. Rodney, check some of the finance buildings. I will go after Kassidy and see what she knows,” he says, sounding defeated.
We abandon our food, splitting up to search for our Duchess.
Keeping my snarky comments to myself, the I-told-you-so ready to spew, tossing a glare at Gareth that he ignores. We all tried to get him to talk to her before tonight. He felt it best to wait.
Dragging myself to the library, dread fills my stomach.
CHAPTERFORTY
On my way to the dining hall, my phone pings with a text message from Kassidy. She sent a warning that the guys were all waiting there. Trying to avoid them, I messaged her back, asking her to meet me around the corner.
“Not that I mind, but can you please tell me why I walked away from a perfectly decent tray of food?” Kassidy asks.
My feet stop, and I look around for a semi-private spot to have this conversation. She knows my current attitude toward the guys at the moment; she just doesn’t know the specifics.
“Do you remember me telling you about avoiding the guys?” Nerves make my voice wobble slightly as Kassidy raises an eyebrow at me.
“You said that you were pissed at them and haven’t talked about them much. Whatever it is they did, I’m on your side,” Kassidy responds with her words ending in a clipped tone. A sad smile crosses my lips.
“Last Friday, I overheard them talking. Something is going on, and they are keeping it from me. They had this hush-hush meeting right after Gareth and Rodney had dinner with Gareth’s dad.” My fingers twist together, and my words rush together as I try to finish my story. “I am expected to make all of these concessions for them yet get none in return.” Tears fill my eyes, but I deny them the privilege of falling, blinking them away.
My feet start moving, and Kassidy—the bestie that she is—stays by my side.
We pass Cargill Theater, Jacobi Hall of Technical Science, Groveton Hall, and the Saul J Baker Building, trying to pass the time. We pass a few people on our walk, casually saying quick pleasantries. With midterms coming to an end, everyone is mentally fried, not wanting to be very social. Thankfully, all of mine are finished.
It isn’t long before my phone starts going crazy with text messages and phone calls. No sooner does it stop ringing, and it starts up again. Voicemail notifications ping in between phone calls. Rolling my eyes, I shut the phone off, not bothering to check any of the messages prior to doing so.
Approaching the Livingstone Athletic Complex, my feet stumble to a halt. Gage is on his phone, looking around in search of something. No doubt that something is me. Grabbing Kassidy’s sleeve, I pull her down the sidewalk, putting the building between us and him.
“Uh, Kennedy, what are you doing?” Kassidy asks hesitantly, her confusion evident.
