Page 39 of Lilies in Autumn

“I’ve only had one class so far; I have another one in about two hours.” I shrug as though she can see me. “My class this morning was algebra, so it sucked.”

“Well, it’s a requirement, so you’ll just need to get through it.”

“No shit, Mom.”

“Ava, do not give me an attitude. You called me, remember?”

“Only because you called me, like, six times, Deborah.” I love giving her shit and this felt like a much-needed dose of normalcy to the mess I found myself in.

“Well, you have a phone, so answer the damn thing.” She sighs into the phone. “What about friends? Have you and Celeste met any nice people?” My mother knows that CeCe and I are a package deal, and if one of us forms a friendship, it’s inevitable that the other will follow suit. Some may say we’re codependent, but she’s my best friend and brings out the side of myself that I often keep hidden, while I ground her and make sure she doesn’t end up on a show likeSnapped. It’s a give-and-take relationship.

“We met this genius, Serena. She’s our age but started college when she was, like, fifteen.” She offers a surprised sound. “She has an apartment on campus,” I continue. “She said I can come over and cook whenever I need or want to, as long as I feed her.”

My mom laughs, knowing how excited I am to have free reign over a kitchen. “Just make sure you don’t spend every second cooking, Ava. You’re there to learn and figure out what you want to do with your life, but don’t forget you need to explore yourself. College is a time to explore who you are apart from the Gregori family name or as ‘CeCe and Ava.’” She pauses and I hear talking in the background. “Aves, listen, a client just walked into the office. I’ll call you later with Daddy, okay? And don’t think I forgot that you didn’t answer my question about boys. Expect a cross-examination tonight.”

My stomach tightens at the mention of boys, bringing my mind right back to Greyson. I say a quick goodbye and make a promise that I’ll speak to them later, though I know I won’t answer the call. My mother will hear right through my lies if I tell her I haven’t met any guys and telling her that I got eaten out in a classroom seems like too much information.

Ignoring my sister’s text—I’ll read it later—I open Grey’s voice message. His voice fills the space.

“Hey, vixen, I can’t stop thinking about you, the way you taste, the way you look when you come. I know you don’t want to be seen with me, but baby, I don’t want to stay away. As soon as I find out who’s behind this shit, I’ll do everything I can to make their lives a living fucking hell. No one hurts you and gets away with it, remember that, vixen.” I pause the message, breathing in deeply before I continue his recording. “Linc is in your class this afternoon; he’ll look out for you and make sure no one bothers you. I have class until seven tonight, but I’ll call you after. Answer your phone, baby; don’t leave me hanging.”

His possessive tone was hot, and though I knew that I should avoid all contact, even through the phone, there was something about his authoritative command that just did it for me. Unlike my parents’ call tonight, I won’t ignore Grey.

I don’t bother responding; part of me knows that he isn’t expecting a response. Another part of me, the one that’s just a little cruel, wants him to sweat and wonder where I stand. He has bulldozed into every part of my life within days of meeting him, and I won’t let him think that he can tell me to jump at any given minute.

Tossing my phone aside, I get out of bed, ready to wash the remnants of sex, desire, and shame from my body.

_

By the time I make it to my next class in the kitchen lab, I’m breathing easier and have rationalized the events of the morning. I’m not sure if my improved disposition is thanks to my nap or the stainless steel appliances surrounding me. There’s something calming about the gleaming silver countertops combined with the sterile smell of bleach; it doesn’t remind me of home exactly, but it does ease the storm in my mind.

Most of the lab tables are filled with students, significantly more than I had anticipated. Surveying the room, my eyes catch on Lincoln, waving wildly in the front of the room, right next to the demonstration table. Next to him is an empty stool that, apparently, is meant for me. I notice the glares aimed at me as I walk toward Lincoln, some are curious but most, especially the women’s, are downright hostile.

“If Grey thought you would be doing me favors by having me sit with you in this class, he underestimated the female population in this program,” I whisper to Lincoln as I take a seat.

Lincoln looks back toward the class and scowls. “They’re just pissed that you’ll be my partner for the practical.”

“Oh?” I question.

“I’m the best one in this class and they know it. Fucking losers. The doe-eyed twins over there…” Lincoln gestures with his chin toward two brunettes with the longest eyelashes I’ve ever seen. They must be twins, or cousins, or something because there is no way God produced that in two separate families. Taking a closer look, I realize that they’re probably false lashes. Lincoln continues, “They tried to fight each other for your seat.”

“The one on the right looks like her eyelashes are about to fall off,” I observe, horrified by the thought.

“They probably are. Her extensions fell into her cassoulet last year and she failed the French practical. I would rather eat maggots on a deer carcass than work with her.”

Laughter bubbles out of me, both from his disgusting visual and the thought of a floating extension in a classic French soup. “That is unfortunate.”

“It was a fucking disaster. Besides, Grey would have my balls if I left you over there with the vipers. We’re partners from here on, buttercup. You’re lucky you make banging cannoli, otherwise, I’d leave you to the wolves.”

“Uh, thank you?” We fall into a comfortable silence as the professor walks in, distributing our syllabus as she makes her way to the demonstration table. My hands sweat and excitement shoots up my spine, the texts and taunts from this morning momentarily forgotten in my excitement. The class moves quickly after introductions and icebreakers wrap up. After going over the syllabus and the expectations for each class, the professor dismisses us.

Lincoln walks at a leisurely pace, allowing my short legs to match the strides of his long ones. “I’m driving you back to your dorm,” he says once we’re out of the building.

“Uh, thank you, but it’s a short walk.”

“No,” he chuckles, shaking his head. “It’s not a request. Grey will cut my balls off and wear them like a goddamn necklace if I don’t make sure you get home safely.”

I scowl, annoyed that Grey is trying to dictate my life. “Lincoln, seriously, I’m okay.”

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