Page 4 of Ashton

“Yeah, okay.”

She goes about packing her cello away, and it still amazes me she can pack that massive case around for such a tiny thing. I’ll always appreciate her musical talentsand do what I can to see her succeed. But I still want that spot in the orchestra.

Does that make me a horrible person? I only want something good to happen in my life.

“What’s the plan?”

“Heading back to your place. You’re not allowed to be seen in public, remember?”

Her chest rises and falls. “Yeah, how can I forget? My life is now a living nightmare. I thought having Atticus here was a nightmare, but I was wrong.”

I feel for her. I genuinely do. Unlike her, I left some of my nightmares at the old school. Those kids didn’t follow me. After what Ace and Ash did to them, I’m surprised they even returned to school.

“When did you want to practice again? The orchestra will be here soon.”

“My place is the safest, and no one goes up on my floor for a reason. No one likes the sound of a cello.” She swings her case over her shoulder.

Lula and Piper giggle, and Jinx groans.

“Let’s head out before I say something to the two bitches.” She sends them a side-eye.

“I wouldn’t stop you if you did.” I take her cello case, drawing her into my arms. “But to be safe, we should leave.”

She stares at the doors, and with a slight tug, she falls closer to my side, right where she belongs, whereshe should’ve been this entire time. The sun blinds us momentarily as we step outside—her body tenses.

“I won’t let anything happen to you.”

“I know, it’s just.” She looks around. “We don’t even know who it is. How can you protect me?”

I grip her neck, tipping her jaw with my thumb. Her forest eyes clash with mine. “If I say I’ll protect you, baby. I mean it. Some prick that hides behind a phone screen isn’t going to scare me, and he shouldn’t scare you.”

She swallows hard, and the movement moves my hand. “Maddox, I can’t ask you that. It’s too much of a risk.”

There isn’t a way to explain it to her. The guys and I aren’t risking anything for her; there isn’t anything we wouldn’t do for her. I only wish she would figure that out.

Reaching the dorms, I glance over my shoulder to make sure no one has followed us. I want to laugh since I have no idea who the fuck I’m looking for. As far as I know, the creep hasn’t tried to contact her since wanting to meet her. I haven’t asked either.

The best thing about her place is that there are no neighbors—the entire floor to herself, like a princess locked away in her tower. But Jinx isn’t like a princess. She can rescue herself.

“How’s Edgar?” I ask, opening her door.

“He’s getting better. I’m sure he wants to get outside, but I’m worried he’s not ready.”

Edgar kraa’s from his makeshift bed, poking his head up to check out who disturbed his slumber. Once satisfied, he dips down again. He’s such a silly bird. When I look at Jinx, her lips draw a thin line.

“You Okay?”

Looking up at me, she nods. “Yeah, maybe a little tired. I’ll get us something to eat. Are the twins joining us?”

“They should be here shortly.”

Her shoulders drop. “I was hoping for a night with just you.”

That’ll never happen now. Those two will never leave her side, and I’m not only crazy about Odette but also obsessed. I have been since the first time I saw her in the backyard of her dad’s place. Wearing black overall shorts with an off-the-shoulder black tee and all that beautiful dark hair tossed into a messy bun, I’ll never forget how Jinx called me an asshole for trespassing without knowing who I was.

I watch as she mills around her little kitchen if you can call it a kitchen. It’s like a small cutout in the room's corner with an L-shaped counter and a few cupboards. When she opens a cabinet, I hold back a laugh, and every shelf is filled with junk food.

She grabs a bag of chips, glancing over her shoulder. “Did you want something?”

---