Page 18 of Burn With Me

“What about her roommates' rooms?” I demand. “Or the common areas.” Unlike other Universities, Hazelwood is geared toward the rich and famous. Instead of white brick walls and two beds squished into a tiny space, Aurora Summers’ dorm room is one in a small apartment. It’s about the size of a small mid-level hotel room, with soft beige walls and lush off-white carpet. I point to the screen. “There’s a cut off here,” I say.

Shep cuts a look my way. “That’s the entrance to the bathroom,” he says.

“Why don’t we have one in there?”

He arches a brow. “Didn’t take you for a voyeur,” he comments.

Fuck. I’m not—not usually—but something about this girl is throwing me off. Two cameras are not enough. I want more. I want to know where she is and what she’s doing at all times. She’s like an itch under my skin, one I can’t reach or scratch, and it’s driving me mad.

“We should have a camera at least in the common area,” I say.

Shep is quiet for a moment, but when he speaks, his voice dips low. “What is the goal here, man?” he asks.

I look at him. “What do you mean?”

“You know exactly what I mean,” he says. “What are you trying to do? I know you’re trying to drive her to the brink, but the cameras aren’t gonna do it. I can understand a few just to keep watch but are you hoping to do something else with this footage?” He arches a brow. “I don’t give a shit about this chick, you know that, but are we planning on streaming her private life for the world to see, or is this just for your personal pleasure?”

A dark feeling unfurls in my gut. No, I don’t like the thought of anyone seeing Aurora’s private world. I can feel my shoulders tighten. If I’m being completely honest, I’m not all that comfortable with even him being able to see this either—but he’s the tech man. He’s learned more about computers than I’ll ever be able to understand in my life. I need him. I need this.

“I’m not streaming it anywhere,” I tell him. “I’m just being cautious.”

He eyes me for a moment before turning his attention back to the screen. “If it’s just caution, then let’s just leave these two cameras. I don’t want to chance them being found by adding more.”

I press my lips together, but I don’t push the issue. Maybe he’s right. Maybe I am being too overbearing. My gaze trails his to the screen as the door to the girl in question’s bedroom opens and she appears, tossing her bag ahead of her with more force than necessary. It lands on her bed with a bounce and she turns, shutting the door behind her.

“Is there audio?” I ask.

He nods, leaning over the keyboard for a brief moment. Shep hits a few buttons and then lifts a set of headphones I hadn’t noticed before, passing them to me. I slide them into place and already I can hear her curses.

“—fucking asshole. Who the fuck does he think he is?” She growls in frustration and shoves her hands through her long hair, pushing the liquid red gold strands back. On the screen, her face cuts a striking image. Big, wide, light brown eyes. A smattering of freckles across the bridge of her petite nose and long eyelashes throwing shadows down her bone structure.

I lean forward, watching her as she paces back and forth across the room and then finally sinks into the cushy chair in front of her desk and groans. A knock sounds on her door and it pops open. The girl from earlier—Selene—steps inside, holding up two dresses on hangers.

“Hey, I’m picking my outfit for the Gods and Goddesses party this coming weekend. Which dress do you think I should go with?”

Ugh. Girl shit. I sit back again and let my mind drift as I listen to the two of them talk. At least I know she’s irritated by me. She has to know the rumors are my doing—well, Paris’ really. I know this won’t be enough to drive her to the edge, though. What else can I do? What more is there?

I slip the headphones off and toss them to the desk before scrubbing a hand down my face. “Problem?” Shep asks.

“No,” I say. “They’re just talking about that stupid God party or whatever.” I bend over and set my elbows on my knees, steepling my fingers together and resting my chin there.

“You seem upset,” Shep points out.

“I’m not.”—I am.—“I’m just trying to figure out what to do next.”—I’m just trying to understand this strange girl and what her weak point would be.

The best friends are a weak point, but going after them too soon could backfire. I don’t have to be the one to do it, though. I sit up. “Are we going to that party?” I ask.

Shep shrugs. “Can,” he replies. “We’re invited.” Of course we are. There’s a standing invitation on this campus for us. We’re legacies, after all.

“Call Paris. Tell him to meet us there.”

“You know it’s a mask thing, right?” Shep quirks a brow my way. “Required. No one gets in without one.”

I groan. “Fuck. Fine. I’ll get one. Make sure to be there.” If Aurora and Selene are going, then there’s no doubt they’ll drag their third friend along. And a party is the perfect chance for Paris to make his move on her. He won’t mind, after all; I saw how he was eyeing her in front of the coffee shop at the start of school. He may say Selene is hot, but Helen Argos is the one he’s truly attracted to.

I pull my phone out and send him a quick text anyway, just to make sure. I rarely ask him for favors, but he knows I’d cut myself open to help him if necessary. Same as I would for Shep. As soon as I get the affirmative text back, I’ve got the game plan running circles in my head.

It’s nothing but a countdown now. Sunshine girl’s days are numbered. Friends are weaknesses and strengths. It’s just too bad for Aurora Summers that she doesn’t know how to make use of hers.

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