Page 53 of Release Me

Mention of Ronan’s name stirs a flutter in my stomach. “Like I had a choice. But only two more days.” I duck into the fridge so he can’t read the lies in my expression.

“Either way, I was worried for a bit.”

“You, worried?” My fake laugh comes out extra forced.

“Yeah, fine, I wasn’t, really.”

Grabbing a water, I head for my room, itching to change out of my staff uniform before class.

“Oh yeah. Some guy came by. Kent, I think he said?”

“Kyle?”

“Yeah, that’s it.”

“Really?” I frown. “Did he say what he wanted?”

“Something about tomorrow night. Where’d you meet him?”

“In the elevator. He lives on the second floor.”

“That’s it.Get it, baby sis.”

“I’m not—” There’s no point. “You’re ridiculous.”

Connor drops a heap of socks into his bag. “Glad to see you’re moving on from Dickface.”

I roll my eyes at his crassness. “Kyle’s helping me study for my exams.”

“Uh-huh. Call it what you want. Smart move to be out of here tomorrow, though, because it is gonna be lit.”

I hold a finger up in warning. “Ifanyonegoes into my room?—”

“Relax, Ronan put a lock on it when he got home.”

I peer down the hall to my door. Sure enough, there’s ashiny new handle with a key sitting inside. “Oh, thanks.” I guess Connor paid for that. A rarity.

“Uh-huh.” Connor salutes. “New guy seems decent. You have my seal of approval.”

“You barely met him.” He couldn’t remember his name!

“Don’t forget to rubber up.”

“Great brotherly advice.” I hesitate. “Is your sidekick in his room?”

“He had a few last-minute things to pick up at the store. Everything’s so expensive in Homer, we’re better off flying up with it.”

“Okay. Have fun packing.” I wander down the hall, stealing a glimpse to see Ronan’s black duffel bag packed and sitting on the floor beside his bed. Unexpected sadness fills my heart. He’s only been here two weeks, I was a bitch to him for half that time, and yet I’m going to miss him terribly.

With an unexpected heaviness in my chest, I head into my room.

A scrap of paper sits on my nightstand. I recognize Ronan’s neat scrawl.

On it is Kyle’s phone number along with a message:

Go get him, Tiger.

A naked Ronanslips into my bed at midnight, bringing with him a pleasant scent of mint tinged with a touch of tobacco.

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