Page 9 of Fear is the Key

Sky moved to stand behind Luca with wide eyes, likely to get a better view.

“Oh,” Luca’s voice lowered, just enough to make me take a step forward.

“It probably sounds worse than it is,” Sky said as if he was ever the one to play peacemaker.

Luca nodded, “It’s just a misunderstanding.”

“Then clarify.” I challenged. “Because it sounded like you didn’t tell me sooner so you could keep me from meeting anyone else in our area.”

Sky flinched and my suspicion rose. I narrowed my eyes at him. “You know something too.”

He was about to protest when Luca spoke. “My dad did mention that there are some things the council would like you to be able to do before they introduce you to the chapter.”

“And you kept that from me.” It wasn’t a question. I knew he’d done it on purpose. “Why?”

“We aren’t ready for you to meet the members our age,” Sky admitted.

“Wait.” My body went cold. “What?”

“That list isn’t real. We came up with it and asked Luca’s dad to present it so it seemed more official.” His eyes were glued to the ground.

“We?” I turned to face Noah. “You too?”

His gaze dropped to the floor.

“How could you guys?” I shook my head and spun around. “After what I told you?” I glared at Luca. “You knew how out of control I’ve felt lately, yet you conveniently forgot to mention that there’s even more going on without my knowledge? Once again, everyone else is making decisions about my life without once stopping to consider how I felt or what I wanted.”

My shoulders dropped. I was tired. Mentally and emotionally exhausted. “I can’t believe you guys.”

I pushed past Noah and hurried to the foyer. I was tugging on my shoe when the door swung open and I fell against the wall to get out of the way.

“Oh, sorry,” Gavin froze with three pizza boxes in his hands. “Are you okay?”

I wasn’t sure if he was asking because I was pushing myself back up or because of the tears welling in my eyes.

I huffed and grabbed my other shoe and jacket before slipping around him and out the door. It was too cold to be barefoot outside, but I was determined to get to my car as quickly as possible.

“Avalon! Wait!” Luca called after me, but I ignored him.

I struggled to find the pocket that had my keys in my crumpled jacket but managed to pull them out and unlock the doors. I slid behind the wheel and slammed the door shut with as much force as I could muster. I pressed the start button with equal vigor and sniffed. The tears were coming whether or not I wanted to cry right now.

Just before I could put the car in drive, the passenger door swung open, and I frowned when Gavin got in. He didn’t say anything while I stared at him.

“What are you doing?” I was seething, and he was the last person I wanted to talk to.

“I’m not going to let you go anywhere alone while you’re feeling like this.”

“I’m fine.” I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Just get out.”

“No.”

I sighed and smacked the top of the steering wheel as the dam broke, and tears streamed down my cheeks to my chin and dripped onto my chest.

“Ave.” He shifted and wrapped his arms around me, pulling me to his chest. I didn’t want to take comfort in his touch. Not with how he’d been acting. I tried to pull back, but he wouldn’t let go. “Talk to me. Tell me what’s going on.”

“You probably know. They all did.” I sniffed, not caring if I was ruining his shirt.

“I highly doubt that. I haven’t been all that involved lately.”

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