Page 31 of Stray
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CODIE
Watching a fight almost break out between the Kings and Venom gave me a sick feeling inside. There had always been conflict between the two groups, but since River’s death, it had clearly intensified. Anything that went down between them would include Stray.
I didn’t want to care about that. I didn’t want to care about him. The way my stomach turned during the incident between them told me that I cared about him more than I wanted. No matter what happened between us, I didn’t want him to get hurt.
Even though I had one more class that day, I decided to head home early. I already knew what my professor would be covering that day. I would read ahead in the textbook and do some online research to stay caught up. I needed to get out of here.
“Are you all right?” Storm asked, keeping her voice low so nobody overheard.
“Yeah, I think I’ve had enough for today though. I’m going to head home early. How are you? Kind of scary, huh?” I nodded to where Rebel stood with his friends discussing what had just taken place.
Clouds passed through Storm’s eyes as she nodded. “Definitely. I worry about him, you know? How can I not? Helives a pretty scary life sometimes. If something ever happened to him… I can’t even let myself finish that thought.”
My gaze drifted from Rebel to Stray. Would I really care if something bad happened to him? Would it hurt me?
Even more reason to stay away from him. A guy like Stray came with too many risks.
“It will be okay,” I said, pulling her in for a quick hug. “Rebel knows what he’s doing.”
Storm sighed, rubbing the frown lines between her eyebrows. “I sure hope so.”
“Call me if you need to talk. I’m going to take off now.” Hoping to slip away before Stray noticed, I turned to go.
“That goes both ways, Codie. I’m always here if you need to talk too.” Storm’s kind words followed me as I rounded the building headed for the parking lot.
I still didn’t know her all that well. Athena had known her for several years. The rest of us only met her recently when she came to our school last year. Athena was a good judge of character though, and Storm was turning out to be a great person. I was glad she’d joined our friend group.
I felt for her. She was about to marry a man who was neck deep in the crime world. Right now it was campus bullshit with guys like Venom. One day it might be so much worse. This kind of thing didn’t stop after leaving college. If anything, it would only become more serious. More dangerous.
How many nights would Storm spend waiting for Rebel to get home, wondering if he was dead or alive? Sometimes I envied the connection I saw between the two of them. I didn’t envy the worry and fear in her future.
All it did was confirm for me that I was doing the right thing by cutting off Stray. Despite his resistance, I needed to make it happen. Now before everything escalated. Before it all became too much to walk away from.
I was halfway to my car when Stray’s voice rang out behind me.
“Trying to sneak away?” he called. “Did you think that would work? I noticed the second you disappeared.”
Forcing myself to stare straight ahead, I kept walking. Maybe if I didn’t acknowledge him, he would give up. Yeah right. I knew that would never happen.
“We haven’t spoken in days, Codie. You could at least give me five minutes of your precious time.” He sounded closer now.
“We don’t have anything to talk about,” I said without turning around. “I said everything I needed to say the other night.”
“Yeah, and I told you that I wasn’t going anywhere. You’re mine now. Eventually, you’ll learn to love it. Hell, I’m pretty sure you already do. Isn’t that what’s got you running?” Now he was right beside me, matching my pace.
I kept going, urgency in every step. “I’m not running. I’m walking quickly.”
“Are you trying to escape me?” he asked, a slyness in his tone. “You should know by now that’s not possible.”
“I’m going home early today. I have schoolwork to do, and I want to be alone.” Every word I said was short and clipped. Sharp like a knife.
Apprehension filled me when I noticed Stray’s car. I had to pass it to get to my own, which was still a few rows away. Part of me wanted to break into a run, but I knew he would only chase me. If anything, that’s exactly what he wanted.
Deep down part of me wanted it too. What would he do when he caught me?
Shoving that thought aside, I kept walking. One foot in front of the other.
