Page 34 of Insane Obsession

“No, I didn’t say that. I wondered if I could come back here and draw the tree.” I glare at Bran. “You’re twisting my words.”

Castor sucks at the straw and looks between us. “Okay.”

“Okay, what?” I ask.

He shrugs. “Okay, to whatever you want. When you’ve decided, let us know, and we’ll get it for you. Come on now, this is your night.”

I stomp behind them as they make their way out. I don’t know why I’m behaving like a spoiled child. Perhaps becausethey can easily swagger around like they own the place, they probably do. They just walk in and out like it’s nothing, and before I know it, they will have barged right out of my life as well.

Dread fills my gut as the sound of music invades my ears.

Jingle Bell Rock.

More Christmas trees are decorated in the hall and the different rooms, but none are as magical as the one I saw before. People are dotted around, talking and laughing—happy.

My feet feel heavy with every step, and my throat locks up. This is the normal Finn—the weirdo—the shy boy no one notices. Even in the trailer park where I used to live with my grandma, I didn’t have any friends—just neighbors who dutifully greeted me.

They will find out. And then they will leave you.

“Finn!” Lea tugs on my shoulder and gives me a hesitant smile as I turn around. Like me, she’s carrying a colourful cocktail. Next to her stands Jess, who gives me a bored wave. “I’m so glad to see you here. How are you?”

“I’m good.” My cheeks ache from the forced smile.

“So you got out safely?” Lea asks.

“I did. I lost you down there.”

“I know!” She nods enthusiastically. “You were just…poof! Gone!”

“So were you,” I say lamely. “I couldn’t find you, so I went back upstairs.”

“So did I!” She exclaims.Liar. I think of her retreating self through the camera after being released from the isolation room. “No footsteps upstairs, right?”

I shake my head. “No.”

“And did you see anything outside?”

“Nope. You?” I think of Jess and David and the way she helped him from falling to his death.

Her smile is forced when she shakes her head and nudges Jess. “Nothing. Even got home before eleven.”

Jess’s eyes flash with something close to fear. “So, when will you finish that paper, Doc? It needs to be turned in after Christmas break.”

“Absolutely.” I groan inwardly at my pathetic obedience. “I will start working on it soon.”

“Thanks.” Lea squeezes my hand. “Well, if you need any help?—”

“Don’t come looking for us because we’ll be away on vacation. Or have you forgotten New Year’s in New York City?” Jess asks.

Lea flushes. “Of course not. But you know…” She looks my way, a soft smile on her lips as she takes my hand in hers. She looks guilty.

She could have left me to rot in there, and she fucking knows it. Because Finn Anderson was declared a loser by one of the football gods, that’s enough for her to keep it quiet. Who would want to end up on David’s bad side?

A foreign sensation of anger bubbles up, and I yank my hand back.

“Well, enjoy your vacation.”

“Thank you.” Her eyes widen at the same time that I feel a pinch on my ass, and she gazes right beside me to one of the twins. “Oh, hello. And you are?”

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