Page 15 of Rockwell Academy: The Twist

“Of course. I just can’t wrap my head around it. The only answer is insanity.”

“You’re probably right. Download the forms and put me out of my misery.”

She grins. “You are excused. He is blessed with the power of attraction. Not many can resist and ignore the waving red flags that follow him wherever he goes.”

“You got that right.”

She turns to Siri.

“And you? What’s happening with Jack?”

I don’t miss the intensity in her expression and Siri shrugs. “I’m not sure.”

Imogen appears confused. “I thought you were together. He told me that.”

“Did he?” Siri shakes her head. “If he means we’re dating, then yes, he’s correct, but that’s all it is. I’m no further forward knowing anything about him. He is a closed book.”

“Jack is?” Imogen stares at her in surprise. “Jack is the easiest book to read, in my opinion. What makes you think differently?”

Siri sighs. “I’m not feeling the interest. Jack is with me because he had no other choice. He was a victim of circumstance and I’m guessing if he had a choice, he would have passed.”

There is nothing I can say about that because I was there and it’s true. Jack claimed Siri in the challenge because he had no choice. He helped her escape, and that sealed the deal. She wouldn’t have escaped the dungeon without his assistance, which means he still claimed her under the rules.

Summer leans forward and smiles at her cousin with affection. “He must be a fool if he can’t see how amazing you are, Siri. Don’t sweat about it and make your decision based on what your heart is telling you.”

Imogen appears confused, and I fill her in.

“Next week, we get to take part in the Stick or Twist ceremony. If we decide to stay with our partner, we choose to stick, but if we want our freedom, we twist.”

“What happens if they choose a different answer?” Summer asks with interest and Siri adds, “Then we twist. It must be a unanimous decision, so I guess I’ll be single again soon.”

“You don’t know that.” I smile my reassurance, which I’m not certain is warranted. “Why don’t you talk to him and discover his intentions before you make your decision?”

“I would if I could sneak two minutes alone with him.”

Siri appears crushed and my heart plummets.

The conversation stops when a shadow falls across our table and I smile when I see who made it back.

“Kennedy.”

She grins as she slips in beside me and smiles at Summer. “Hey, you must be Frankie’s sister. I’m the last ex who also happens to adore his latest girlfriend.”

I chuckle as Summer rolls her eyes. “You had a lucky escape, honey. This poor girl–” She jerks her thumb in my direction. “Saved your life, and it’s no wonder you love her for it.”

Imogen giggles and I smile at her with happiness. It’s so good to have her here with me and Jack. The three musketeers are together again and all is good with the world.

I turn to Kennedy. “We were talking about The Claiming. Have you decided whether to twist or stick with Amos?”

Siri smirks because Kennedy was apoplectic when Amos Sams claimed her and yet in a shock turnaround she appeared to fall for him after all.

“We are both sticking because I haven’t finished with him yet.”

She appears almost proud of that, and Siri’s eyes widen. “What changed?”

“He did.”

Kennedy studies her perfect manicure and grins.

---