Page 125 of Blades of Obsession

We find a nearby bench to rest on and I lean my head on his shoulder. “I was just joking, mainly to see what you’d say. But you always know what to say to make me feel special,” I murmur.

“That’s because you are special.”

I close my eyes, savoring the warmth of his embrace and the promise of a future that, despite its uncertainties, actually feels bright. We’ll have kids, and I won’t have to worry about them being hurt or kidnapped or stabbed by a deranged man in the middle of the night looking for revenge for his neph—okay, maybe I’m going too far with the imagining.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see a figure walking by and look up to see Frankie with Asher trailing not too far behind.

“Where have you guys been?” I call out.

“Birthday blowjob. The spit got messy so he had to change clothes.” Frankie smiles and walks ahead.

I shake my head and cover my mouth with my hand. That’s Frankie for you.

Chapter 47

AMELIA

I glance up from my notebook, trying to ignore Frankie’s whispers. Whatever she wants, it’s bound to cause trouble. I mean, c’mon, it’s Frankie we’re talking about here. Trouble sticks to her like flies on a honey trap.

A small paper ball lands on my desk, rolling to the edge. It’s impossible to ignore. I unfold it, revealing Frankie’s messy handwriting:Let’s skip class.

I look up, my eyes darting between the note and Frankie’s expectant gaze. I shake my head, mouthing, “No.”

She leans in closer, her voice a hushed murmur. “The year is almost over. None of this stuff matters anyway. I have something to show you in my dorm.”

I sigh, closing my notebook. “Fine.” This class has been boring since the first day of school, and there’s less than two months left before summer. Besides, if I don’t agree, she’d keep bugging me the whole class so it’s not like I’d learn anything, anyway.

Frankie grins like she just won a prize at the state fair, raising her hand to be excused. The professor, distracted, waves her out.

Five minutes later, after a quick scan of the room, I quietly slip out. If we both asked to go at once, the professorprobably would’ve said no. We are talkative a lot in this class and he’s had to throw a few warning glances our way.

In the hallway, Frankie is waiting for me, bouncing on her heels. “Let’s go!”

“What are you so excited about?”

“I have to show you my dorm. It’s a surprise!” She grabs my arm, pulling me along, chatting animatedly about whatever it is she’s made up in her mind.

As we turn a corner, still laughing about a comedy movie we watched last night, we collide with a tall figure. My laughter catches in my throat as I balance myself and look up.

Blade stands there, arms crossed, amusement dancing in his eyes as he looks down at Frankie. “Does Asher know where you’re at?”

Frankie crosses her arms as well, a hint of a challenge in her tone. “I can be wherever I want,” she blurts out defensively, although her voice falters a little.

Blade raises an eyebrow. “Interesting. Should I call and tell him you just said that?”

“I hate you!” she yells out as her face falls. “Ugh!” She kicks the nearby wall before storming off back towards the classroom.

I watch her go, and I’m about to follow after her but before I can, Blade catches my arm.

“Where are you going?”

“Back to class, with Frankie.”

He chuckles. “She’s not going back to class, Asher is already waiting for her by the classroom door. We were in the middle of coming to take you guys out of class.”

Oh my God, Frankie is going to lose it when she gets there and sees him. I can picture her now, screaming up a storm while Asher drags her away.

“I wanted to see what she was so excited to show me.”

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