Page 53 of Dare To Fall

One eyebrow arches above amused eyes. “Touchy much?”

“Fuck off, Kellan.”

“So, that’s a no on the trip to town?”

I don’t answer him, and a few minutes later the door clicks as he walks out.

I shift onto my stomach, bury my face into the pillow, and let sleep pull me back under.

***

“Jesus Christ, have you been there all fucking day?”

My eyes snap open at Kellan’s voice. I push upright, yawning. “What time is it?”

“Four … in the afternoon. Did you sleep all day?” He dumps a bag onto his bed.

“I guess I did.”

He folds his arms and shakes his head. “Okay, enough of this.” Spinning, he pulls open my dresser and throws a t-shirt and jeans at me. “Get dressed.”

“Why?”

“Just fucking get dressed!” he roars.

I stare at him, then slowly swing my legs off the side of the bed. “Fine. If it’s that important to you.”

I pull on the clothes he’s tossed at me. “Now what”

“Now we go and eat.” He throws open the door and stalks out into the hallway beyond.

I grab my cell, shove my feet into sneakers and follow him. “What’s wrong with you?”

“Nothing. You’re the one who’s avoiding the world.”

“I’m not avoiding the world.” I push open the door and step outside, squinting as the sunlight hits my eyes.

“No, just one corner of it.” He jerks his chin, and I follow the direction he’s indicating to see Arabella sitting on a bench, head bowed over a book. Her blonde hair is falling forward, hiding her face. “I cloned her cell. She hasn’t had any texts since Wednesday, but now you’re back in view, I bet that changes fast.”

“Does she know?”

“Yeah. She agreed it would be easier than her needing to text us every time they contact her. The problem is I can’t track them unless they text her. And they won’t text her if you’re out of the picture.”

“So, I’m the bait?”

“Something like that.”

“For fuck’s sake.” I scrub a hand down my face.

“What happened to being able to handle it?”

“I can handle it.” I shove my hands into my pockets and turn toward the cafeteria.

“Are you sure?”

I stop. “Do you need me to prove it to you?”

“You don’t need to prove anything to me.”

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