Page 52 of Ashton

If he only knew when he said it, it would be accurate, except we have Maddox in our circle now. We have to work together and keep that circle tight.

I make it back to the dorms late. It’s later than I expected, and everyone is passed out. I take advantage and head to the laundry room. Digging the joint out of my pocket, I place it between my lips as I walk into the room. I’m about to light it when someone clears their throat.

“Ashton, you aren’t supposed to smoke in the building.”

I drew in a lungful of air, trying to calm myself. “And geeks are supposed to be in bed by eight.”

I watched as his nostrils twitched. “Where’s my payment?”

I light my joint, closing my eyes as I inhale deeply. “When I pass my class. I don’t trust you, Arch. You fucked me over once already.”

“T-that was a mistake. I did the work for you.”

His eyes fix upon my lips when I move the joint. “What else do you want?”

He snaps his eyes to the ground. “Nothing.”

“Do I not treat you well, Archie?”

His eyes flick up to mine. “You do, I swear.”

I move closer, placing the joint between his lips. “Suck.”

He draws a deep inhale, coughing immediately. “Oh, dear god. That burns.”

“Yeah, the first hit usually does. Just so you know. If you rat me out, I’ll rat you out. My little stoner friend.”

“What?” he coughs.

“You heard me. Don’t be smoking in the laundry room, Archie. It’s against the rules. Aren’t geeks all for following the rules?” I finish the joint before walking out.

That should teach the prick to fuck with me again. I meant to get back at him for almost getting me kicked off the swim team, and the opportunity fell into my lap. Although I wonder if he could’ve helped dig some information into Roan for me, that guy popped up likenothing. I don’t like it. And to keep texting Jinx like we don’t know it’s him. What a piece of shit.

I’ll do everything I can to keep Jinx safe until we find a way to remove Roan or Jinx from this school.

Chapter twenty-four

Jinx

Unknown: Odette. My sweet Odette. Our time will come, mark my word.

Unknown: There isn’t any point in ignoring me. I see you around campus, and if I wanted to, I could take you away whenever I wanted to. You think those boyfriends of yours would stop me? Think again.

Unknown: Stop the bullshit. Odette. Answer your phone before something happens to you.

The text messages won’t stop. I had to turn my phone off. It was getting to be way too much stress for me to handle. It’s bad enough that I’m heading into a board member meeting full of douche canoes that hate me.Let alone know that I’m the new owner of this lovely establishment.

I haven’t cried in two days, and that’s a win in my books. Dad wouldn’t want me going into this meeting looking like a puffy bag of shit. Adjusting my pantsuit, I push open the doors to the boardroom. My heels click along the stone floor.

Barnaby, Archer, and Roan straighten in their seats as I walk further into the room.

Archer rises from his seat as I reach the table. “And what do we owe the pleasure, Odette? We have a meeting with the new owner soon.”

I hate that man. I pull out the seat that Dad always occupied, trying to find the strength to continue.

“As most of you know, Prescott passed away, leaving the school to a new owner.”

Barnaby hums.

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