Page 37 of Unspoken Truths

“How?” I ask, confused. “Jared particularly hates me.”

“I think he’s the one most fucked up in his feelings,” she says. “If you want to push back and give them a taste of their own medicine, then kiss me.”

“Liliana,” I breathe, biting my lip. I don’t know where Emil and my mom are, but they’re not a factor in whether or not I kiss her.

“What, baby?” Liliana asks, moving back until her nose rubs against mine. “It’s very simple.”

I’ve never had a first kiss, God I’m going to fuck this up.

“This simple?” I ask, leaning forward a tiny bit to slant my lips across hers. Her lips are soft, opening slightly as she kisses me back. It’s sweet, full of promises, with the unspoken words that the ball is firmly in my court.

She’s not going to push me to do something that I don’t want to do.

“Just like that,” she murmurs, pulling away slowly. “I’ll see you on Monday.”

Another promise.

“Okay,” I say, watching her stand.

“Ready, Liliana?” Emil asks, amusement in his tone.

Jumping, she twists to look at him, nodding. “Mmhmm,” she squeaks.

“Don’t forget your bag,” he says. “I didn’t expect to have a conversation about what your intentions are with my daughter, but here we are.”

Daughter…

He doesn’t notice the slip up as he jerks his head toward the front door, and Liliana grabs her backpack and waves goodbye to me. Her cheeks are high with color, and it’s adorable.

Mom walks into the room, pushing me over on the couch.

“He meant that, you know,” she says, laying her head on my shoulder. “I think he wants to adopt you, but is waiting for the right time to ask you.”

“Isn’t that something he should ask you?” I ask, eyes wide.

“No, because I’d say yes. Emil is a complicated man, but has a really good heart,” Mom says. “He’s so used to steamrolling over things, he doesn’t explain himself. Emil is realizing he needs to slow down and needs to move carefully with you. Maybe he’ll ask when you decide he can be trusted.”

Mom doesn’t try to convince me to trust him, she just makes her statement. Feeling a wave of exhaustion, I sigh, snuggling on the couch with her. My breaths slowly even out, and I drift away with thoughts of how exactly I’ll make the Carlysle Kings pay.

I always rebound, even if it’s not the way people expect.

CHAPTER7

ELIJAH

Iskulk in the shadows best, gathering intel, finding ways to not be seen. My rugby season won’t begin again until next year, so I have more time than I usually do. Growing up, my parents would yell at me when I was in the way, and I found I like it better when they forget I exist.

It’s more peaceful, even if it is lonely. That's what the Kings are for. These guys have been my friends since we met in preschool, and they’ve never wavered. We may argue, but there are ways to settle that. I personally enjoy fucking it out.

It’s more satisfying that way.

Rachelle steps through the doors of the school with a smile at Liliana, making me wonder what she can possibly be happy about. The whispers are high with gossip in the hallways this morning, some of them about the little mouse, and others about how Miss Hailey was fired over the weekend.

Hmm. I wonder if she’s packing up her shit in her classroom now. While they’re figuring out a replacement for her, one of the admin team is taking over her classes for now.

It helps that most of them have higher education degrees and can teach the English Literature classes that were under her purview. How difficult could it be anyway?

“She’s very chipper,” Theo grunts next to me, glancing at Rachelle as she walks to her locker. “I thought she’d at least be checked into some sort of mental institution still.”

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