Page 3 of Disorder (Elite of Elmwood 2)

My gaze shifted to Brock, and I saw the concern he had for his friend. Grayson was going through some shit, but so was I. I just found out that I might have a sister and brother. Like, holy hell. What was I supposed to do with that information? Keep it to myself?

Other than my parents, Grayson was the one person I wanted to talk to. He had answers I desperately needed, but the closed expression on Brock’s face told me not to prod him.

Not now.

Grayson needed to cool off.

And I needed to pinch myself. Or wake up. Nothing that had happened tonight seemed real. How the fuck was this my life?

“I can’t go home,” I muttered, thinking of Carter. Not tonight. Hell, maybe never. The idea of facing Carter…

I shuddered.

In the dimly lit car, Brock’s gaze drifted to my swollen cheek, his eyes darkening. I hated to admit just how much it freaking hurt. “You’re not,” he said, expression serious.

“Oh.” I exhaled as my nails still dug into my palms to stop the shaking, but it appeared to be an ineffective tactic, seeing as I still trembled.

“You’re coming home with me. At least for the night,” he added, his breath warm along the side of my neck, doing wonders to thaw the ice in my veins.

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Micah asked. He forked a hand through his bleached blond hair before resting his elbow on the windowsill of the car door.

Why would my staying at Brock’s be a big deal?

I’d spent the night once before, but his parents hadn’t been home. Was that the problem? His parents? Did they have a strict no-girl policy? Seemed unlikely Brock had rigid parents, but then I remembered Mads telling me Brock didn’t take girls to his house, definitely not to his room.

So once again, the Elite were breaking the rules for me.

Why?

Because I was Grayson’s sister?

Considering how much Grayson gave off the impression that he didn’t like me all that much, it didn’t make sense. I planned to uncover why Grayson hadn’t welcomed me with open arms. Or perhaps I already had unearthed the reason why.

He had come to my defense with Carter tonight. That was something… wasn’t it?

If Grayson was angry with me, then he had to have his reasons, and until I got some answers, I chose to hold on to the bead of hope that we could be friends, at least while I figured out how I felt about having a brother and a sister.

“I’m not letting her out of my sight,” Brock said. “We can think of a better plan tomorrow.” Without the radio on, our voices easily carried throughout the car, even over the purring engine. “Drop us off and then you guys go back to Grayson’s and kick everyone out. Stay with him,” he instructed, falling into his leadership role.

It suited him, giving commands without blinking and expecting them to be carried through, no questions asked.

Ten minutes later, we rolled up past the community gates and onto Brock’s driveway. Darkness shrouded the house, only a single porch light casting a soft glow over the entrance. Not a single window was illuminated.

“It’s been an… interesting night, new girl,” Micah said with a wink, his dimples flashing on either side of his grin.

“Try and stay out of trouble,” Fynn added as he glanced over his shoulder, an impossible request considering who I hung out with—the fucking Elite.

Had entangling myself with them been a mistake?

Too late now.

I found myself glancing at Grayson. He leaned forward in the seat, elbows propped on his knees and chin resting on his hands. His left foot tapped agitatedly on the rubber floor mat.

I should say something, right? Like, see you later, bro?

No. Definitely not.

He did bother to look up at me, so I took it as a sign.

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