Page 148 of Firestorm
“How’s it going?” he asked.
I snorted. “Fine. You look like you’re about to pass out.”
Wyatt shot me a bored stare, making the dark bags under his eyes appear even more pronounced. He took another gulp of coffee while I stifled a laugh.
“Seriously, what’s up with you? Out late?” I prodded.
“Drop it, Aiden.” Wyatt muttered.
“Seriously. What’s her name?” I asked, grinning slightly.
Wyatt flashed me a glare.
“Hisname?” I tried.
“Your mother isn’t happy with you.” Wyatt said, and my smile melted off my face.
“I’m more than aware,” I clipped, but Wyatt was already shaking his head.
“No, Aiden. I’m not sure how much longer I can fend her off. I’m starting to worry you might be…” he trailed off, swallowing thickly.
“I’m always in some level of danger, Wyatt. That’s normal in my family Chain.” I mumbled, running my hands through the sides of my hair. It was getting long, recently, but I liked how Skye pulled it, so I hadn’t bothered cutting it.Should I ask for her opinion?
Wyatt sighed deeply, reminding me I was in the middle of an appointment, then he stared blankly into an ominously dark corner of his office. One of his lights had been out for a while now. With the amount of money my family Chain donated alone, the academy shouldn’t have been hurting for a single lightbulb.
“Does your mother know about your Key?” Wyatt asked.
I shook my head immediately. “No. I’d never tell her.”
“Is there any way she could be aware?” Wyatt asked. “Your mother, Aiden…”
Irritation rippled down my spine.
“Wyatt, I know better than anyone what the fuck is wrong with myfamily. I really don’t need you trying to explain it to me. I’ve been ignoring Mother’s calls for weeks, now. I know what I’m in for over the winter holiday.”
Wyatt sighed deeply, still not meeting my eye and instead staring into the darkened corner. He took another swig of coffee before clasping his hands.
“Do you have a plan for how to deal with her?” he asked. “If she comes here? If she sees your Key?”
“My Key can take care of herself,” I said without hesitation. The image of Skye on top of Lana while Lana fought for air flashed through my mind. Jesus, that whole situation had been hot as fuck. Skye didn’t need me at all. I’d only made things worse that day, in a way.
“It’s not a matter of whether or not she can handle herself. This is a real problem, Aiden. Your mother is incredibly dangerous.”
I stared at Wyatt, taking in his exhausted state; the messy hair he ran his fingers through, the shadow on his face, his slightly loosened tie.
“What happened?” I asked. “She’s threatened you?”
Wyatt shook his head quickly, shooting another look toward the dark. “She’s just becoming more insistent in her emails. I’m afraid she’s going to take action at some point. It would be best if your Key–”
“You know what,” I snapped suddenly, straightening on the couch. “You seemawfullyfucking concerned aboutmyKey, and not me, yourpatient. I know you think I’m a fucking idiot, but Skye is more than capable of handling herself, Wyatt. She laid out both the Iykos’ while drunk, for fuck’s sake. Why are you feigning so much concern for her?”
Wyatt clenched his jaw.
I narrowed my eyes.
How had I not seen this before? How had I never noticed that gleam in his eye? Was I really so blinded by Skye when she was around that I failed to see the look on Wyatt’s face?
Wyatt…was into Skye.
