Page 30 of All Saints: Pledge

Way.

No way it's possible.

“Holy shit,” I breathe.

“You really didn't know?”

Kendall's voice next to my ear makes me jump and squeak. I slam the book closed on my own hand.

“Ow, Jesus Christ,” I say, yanking my hand out and shaking it. I wiggle my fingers, hoping I haven't broken anything. And then I level my glare at my own personal stalker. “You.”

Kendall reclines against the dusty bookshelf as if he'd been born to it. As I turn, I catch his eyes taking a possessive once-over—down my form to my kitten heels and back up.

“Are you stalking me?” I'm unsettled that Kendall appeared at my side mere moments after texting me.

“I was in the library too,” he says, motioning to his stack of books and book bag. My eyes bore into his a long moment, because it seems like an awfully large coincidence that he’d find me this quickly, even if he’d been in the library. I remind myself to check my shoes and bag for an Airtag later. I wouldn’t put it past Kendall. Would he have access to the app? Are they tracking me that closely? “The librarian told me where you were,” he adds as if reading my mind.

“Great,” I mutter, going to open the book again. I want another look at what I'm pretty certain is the All Saints emblem pinned on my grandfather's suit. “I'm almost done. I said I'll meet you there.”

Kendall's hand reaches out and shuts the book again. “We're going to be late.”

With a glare, I re-open the book deliberately. “I'll risk it, thanks.” I start thumbing through the pages, but Kendall doesn't budge. I cast him a purposefully disinterested glance. “You can go. I'm sure your daddy wouldn't want you?—”

Kendall pulls the book from my hand.

“Kendall, I'm not playing around. Give me the book back.” I reach for it.

He squints at me, a slash of golden light hitting his face through the leaded pane of glass. "You never answered my question."

"We are not in kindergarten," I say, exasperated. "Give it back."

He holds it behind his back, and I nearly scream.

“Okay, fine. What question?” I cross my arms over my chest to keep myself from accosting him like a crazed ape at the zoo.

“You really never knew? About your grandfather?”

That pulls me up a bit. I blink. “Youknow?” And then, in a flash, Kendall's words come back to me. I'd been so taken aback by theyou're minecomment that until now I'd failed to pay attention to the other portion of his statement. The part about me not knowing who I am.

“You knew all along,” I say in wonder.

A quick nod from Kendall confirms it. He’s watching me. Waiting for me to put something together and I want to scream. All of this feels like a big fucking game. My grandpa never met Kendall. Our families weren't friends. How would Kendall know my grandfather attended Oxford when I did not? How does someone whohatedme in high school know more about my own family than me?

“I never knew.” I say, weirdly close to tears. I feel betrayed by a person much-loved, and long-gone.

“I wondered. You didn’t seem to realize your legacy.” There’s that word again. It seems to keep coming up. He’s on the verge oftelling me something, but I can’t deal with more games or half-truths.

I swipe at my eyes. It’s been a long day and I’m so tired, I’m emotional. “Let's just go to dinner.” I step forward and grab at the book. Kendall steps back, and I end up grabbing his elbow. “Kendall, it's fine. I know now.” I make another swipe for the book. Kendall pivots so that nowI'magainst the book shelf. And he's still between me and the book.

It's not funny anymore.

“Look here, asshole, just give me the book and let's go to dinner.”

“I think I’ll keep it for a bit. Until we can talk more.”

I narrow my eyes. Apparently, there's something in the book he doesn't want me to see. LikehellI'll let him keep me from understanding what is going on.

“Fine,” I say, pretending to relax my shoulders. “Whatever. I’m hungry.”

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