Page 142 of Heartless Legacy

I’ve said the wrong thing. “What do you mean you don’t know? What kind of trium member doesn’t know what assets and liabilities live in his dorm? Do you know how embarrassing this is? To have this mass exodus happening? That’s twice that there have been unauthorized residents in Vale Tower. All on your watch.”

My poker face is cemented on. This didn’t just happen on my watch. It’s been happening for years. Some of these families moved in when my great-grandfather went to school here. That’swhy they think they deserve to be grandfathered in. That also means they were here when my dad was a student and he didn’t know it. I let him berate me, knowing that this isn’t my fuck-up. I wouldn’t have known it either if I hadn’t… my brain slows. If we hadn’tlostthat history challenge. If the names had matched up, none of this would be happening.

What’s losing a few games, compared to what you will win in the end?

This doesn’t feel like winning. I’m friendly with a few of the students and they’re looking at me like I betrayed them for not stepping in. My father is just as disappointed as ever. But my grandfather doesn’t seem to be upset. He’s hoping I learn a lesson about…somethingthat took him a long time to figure out. But he isn’t upset that this error came out on my watch. This isn’t something he thinks affectshislegacy.

I’m still uncomfortable with our decision to accept this vague ass challenge, but I am curious to see what the next one is; and what, if anything, it will reveal.

Chapter 84

Thea

I’ve been staying at the dorms the last few days, because of the punishment Parker Sullivan imposed during the community service project. I’m rationing out my cash instead of using it all to commute to and from my place in Palisades Shores. I miss the condo. I’ve started to think of it as my home, just like I did the townhome we stayed in after my attack.

Pax is standing in the hallway outside of the class we share. He pulls himself away from the wall and walks so close behind me that I can smell his cologne. When I take my seat, he chooses the one directly behind me.

He doesn’t speak, or invade my space the way Finn would, and doesn’t intimidate anyone to force them away from me like Holden. But his imposing presence irritates me just the same. I sound a lot like Holden when I ask, “Why the hell are you over here?”

“Because you’re over here.”

“Your companion’s gonna be mad when she finds out.”

“Who’s gonna tell her? You?”

“Why would I tell her? I don’t want to have anything to do with the problems in your relationship.”

“But youarethe problem in our relationship.”

Shifting in my chair, I say, “I admit I went out of my way to make a mess of her relationship with Finn. I haven’t given you the same treatment.”

“You’re not actively trying to get between us, but it’s still happening. I spend every moment of my life thinking of ways to see you. To touch you. To be near you. When I should be studying, I’m thinking of ways to prove to you just how badly I still want you and that I’ll do anything for you.”

“Awe.” I flutter my lashes. “You lie so prettily, but cut the shit. I’m not falling for it again, Pax.”

“We’ll see about that.”

The words are softly spoken, but I feel the determination in them skating across my skin. I don’t want to think about it. About why I feel anything other than disdain at Pax’s declaration about wanting me.

I look around the classroom to distract myself from my thoughts. There’s a curious assortment of faces looking our way. Some are openly scowling, others offer plaintive smiles. I’m used to the animosity, but today it seems to be directed at the person behind me.

A group of students sitting a few rows ahead of me have been whispering since entering the class. One says, “All this time we’ve supported them and they won’t lift a finger to help us keep our spot at Vale Tower.”

Another says, “Did we expect anything different? He stabbed Finn in the back. Of course, he wouldn’t speak up for us.”

I turn again, to look at Pax. Sitting as close as I am, I see the tense pull of his mouth, his hand clenched into a fist on his lap. He shifts as if he’s going to get out of his seat to confront them. “Ignore them.” I turn back to face the front of the room. “If they need help at the dorms, they should come and ask for it, instead of whispering about it like cowards.”

“They asked for help. There wasn’t anything we could do because their family line should never have been given a spot in Vale Tower.”

I snort. “You not doing anything about that shouldn’t be a surprise.” I grab my yellow highlighter and turn around to grab his hand, drawing a star on it.

“What are you doing?” He asks, but doesn’t pull his hand away.

“You’ve earned a gold star for consistency.”

“Sorry I’m late.” The professor says, rushing into the room. “Glad to see some of you still arrived on time or stayed. Those who aren’t here will be very sorry they missed out on this lesson.”

“Uh, oh. What did you do now?” LJ asks as we walk into the dining hall.

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