Page 142 of Cruel Steps

“You’re riding back with Holden?” Rose asked after she parked.

“Yeah. I have a shift tonight, so he’s going to drop me off there.”

“I’ll check on Colter when I’m home, then.”

“Thanks, Rose.”

She hugged me, and we said goodbye, going in different directions. Students glanced at me as I passed, their stares wary. Gone was the misplaced hero worship, and in its place was skepticism. I caught a few hushed whispers, but nothing I could make sense of.

Stepping into the building, I headed for the bathroom first. I needed a minute to myself before I stepped into Astronomy. Sitting on the lid, I took a few moments to deep breathe. The door opened, the noise from the hallway seeping in as two sets of feet entered.

“I can’t believe she tried to kill Colter. He’s so nice.”

I froze at the mention of Colter. Staying as still as possible, I peeked through the crack in the door. Two girls with familiar Greek letters on their bags stood at the sink, primping.

“The nicest! I heard he found her cheating on him with Holden and then tried to set him on fire.”

“No way! First, she tried to kill Hope, and now Colter. Who’s next? Holden better watch out.”

“She won’t be a problem much longer if Hope does what she’s supposed to.”

“Do you honestly think she’s going to follow through? Hope’s been wavering this past year. Stasia was on the brink of kicking her out until that video.”

“If she wants to stay a Zeta, she’ll come through. She knows what she has to gain and lose if she doesn’t.”

“Is it bad I kind of want her to fail? Watching Hope Adler fall from her throne has been the highlight of my year. Seeing her stay down would be the icing on the cake.”

“The bitch never deserved to be on her throne to begin with. But we’ll see, she’s come through with everything so far. Either way, it will be entertaining.” She applied lipstick, turning to look at herself. “God, I love being rich. Did I tell you about the new Mercedes Daddy’s getting me?”

“Shut up. He agreed to the S-Class?”

“Yep. I’ll be the envy of the entire school.”

They packed up and headed out the door, the noise from the hallway quieting as the door shut. The information tumbled in my head as I opened the door, and I felt completely numb.

Once again, Hope had pulled one over on me. I’d thought she’d changed, but she was still the same selfish bitch.

Anger built throughout class, plans of revenge at the forefront. I wouldn’t let Hope win this time.

CHAPTER

FORTY-THREE

EMERSON

“What’s wrong?” Holden asked the moment he saw my face.

“Nothing.”

“Bullshit. Tell me.” He crossed his arms and leaned against Hope’s car. I glared at him, but it did nothing but make his smirk grow wider. “I can do this all day, Wildcat.”

“I can’t tell you.”

He pushed off the door and pulled me into his arms. It was strange seeing this side of him on campus. I got it at home and the apartment, but we hadn’t been together yet at Hayward. His hands cupped my face, his eyes boring into mine as he swiped his thumbs across my cheeks.

“You can tell me anything.”

I shook my head. “Not this.”

---