Page 29 of Loving Lies (Granton University 3)

“What? Einstein?”

Tess shuddered and sent her friend a glare.

Bailey rolled her eyes. “You are such a sissy. What do you think’s going to happen? His ghost is going to come haunt you i

f you speak his name aloud?”

“Maybe,” Tess challenged, only making Bailey laugh. She poked her buddy in the ribs. Hard. “Now, hush.”

“Ouch.” Bailey stopped laughing and scowled as she rubbed her side. “In any case, I can’t believe you’re feeling sorry for a bully.”

“I didn’t say I felt sorry for him, exactly. I just don’t think bullying him right back is the answer. I mean, what if he goes off the deep end next and starts another rampage? The way he and his crowd treated…you-know-who was absolutely wrong. But you have to admit, the kid was super weird. I don’t know how many times he insulted me, and I always went out of my way to be nice to him.”

“Yeah.” Bailey nodded. “He was strange. No doubt about it.”

“I bet all those bullies feel bad enough as it is. There’s no reason to rub it in or start a whole new cycle of bullies to pick on them. It needs to stop somewhere.”

Shrugging as if she was going to agree to disagree, Bailey appeared thoughtful for a moment. “You know, I haven’t seen much of anyone from that crowd since it happened. They all just kind of went into hiding. Especially that head bully.”

Tess wrinkled her nose. “What head bully? I don’t remember a head bully.”

“Sure. He was the one Paige took to the ground the night you got all drunk with—”

“Yeah, I remember that part.” Remembering who had gotten her drunk sobered her up immediately. Not only had Dorian Wade been the first person killed by Einstein, but he’d attacked Paige a few nights before his death. If any name was taboo to mention aloud, it was probably his. What was worse, Jonah had to have known Wade since they’d both been on the football team.

She hoped the two hadn’t been close. How creepy would that be?

Tess cleared her throat, trying to blot Dorian Wade from her memory. “But I don’t remember what this head bully you’re talking about looked like, so…I have no idea if I’ve seen him around campus or not.”

“I bet he dropped out of school.” Bailey nodded as if that had to be the only conclusion. “I totally would if I were him. Because seriously, he’s got to be the most despised student on campus these days.”

Chapter Eight

SOMEONE WAS IN HIS ROOM.

Jonah woke drowsy and disoriented, much as he always woke from his midday rest. He usually hated his afternoon nap, but today he was loath to open his eyes. He’d actually been having a good dream for once. A really good dream that left him aroused and aching.

Though he was awake, he kept his eyes closed, willing himself to fall back to sleep. But his Spidey sense tweaked back to life, telling him he wasn’t alone.

He opened his eyes and rolled his face to the side to glare at the nurse who he was sure he’d find taking his vitals.

But seeing red hair and big, beautiful blue eyes instead made him catch his breath.

He woke a little more quickly and licked his dry lips. “You came back.”

She gave him an angelic smile. “Of course.” Then she winked. “It’s time for your sponge bath.”

His eyes flew open wide, and his body was more awake than it had been in a month. He began to sit upright, because the thought of her stroking his bared flesh with a wet sponge was just too—

She gave a husky laugh. “I’m just kidding. I can’t believe you fell for that.”

His disappointment was almost more painful than the ache from his wounds. He closed his eyes and collapsed back onto his mattress with a groan. “You’re absolutely cruel, do you know that?”

She laughed again, this chuckle more angelic. “Are you really that upset that I’m not going to wash you?”

The look he sent her should’ve told her how crazy he found her question, but he went ahead and growled, “Yes!”

Flushing, she bit her lip and glanced away. “Oh.”

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