Page 47 of Spearcrest Knight

“What is it with you and Mr Houghton?” he says, taking his work back with a pout. “Why don’t you just marry him, if you’re so horny for him.”

“If only. Unfortunately for me, he’s already married.”

“Hah, I knew you liked your older guys!” he exclaims, staring at me with wide eyes. “I can’t believe I guessed your type. You’re so damn predictable, Sutton.”

I roll my eyes. “I don’t likeanyguy, so there’s no type to guess.”

“Oh?” he props his elbows onto the countertop, lacing his fingers and peering at me over them. “Then who is it you’re meeting in town every Tuesday and Thursday?”

I stare at him in complete shock for a moment, then I burst out laughing.

“You think I’m sneaking off ondates?” The mere prospect brings irresistible laughter out of me. “You really are a complete fucking idiot.”

“Well, you’re always acting so suspicious and shifty, like you’re up to some secret stuff.”

“Iamup to some secret stuff,” I tell him. “But it’s definitely not dating. As if I have the time.”

“Then what are you up to?”

I lean forward. “Not for a second would I trust you with that information. You’d run your mouth and get me in trouble.”

He imitates me, leaning further forward so that we are now both half-draped over the kitchen island and whispering for no reason.

“Oh my god. You’re breaking school rules, aren’t you?” His eyes search mine as though he thinks he can somehow see into my mind. “Fuck. Perfect prefect Sutton, breaking the rules?”

“And this is why I’d never tell you. Because you have the mental capacity of a five-year-old and all the self-control of an alcoholic drinking mouthwash at a rehab centre.”

“That’s dark, Sutton, real dark,” he says. “But if you think about it, it would be in your interest to tell me.”

“Oh? How so?”

“Well, we have our alliance, and you’re meant to be here with me, so it makes sense if I knew about it. Besides, if you told me what you’re up to, I might even be able to help you.”

Of course, what he’s saying makes sense. Except that this is Evan, and I know all too well how easily he can turn his back on his “allies” when he wants to. Just because I’ve not seen him around school much and I get to see this different side of him here doesn't mean he’s changed.

I don’t think I even believe that people can change at all.

“Look,” he says with a sigh. “The truth is that Dad went ballistic when he found out I’m failing Literature, and he begged Spearcrest to get me this tutoring. So if he finds out that I’ve been fucking it off, I’d be the first one to get in trouble. It wouldn’t even surprise me if he just yanked me out of Spearcrest, he’s tried before.”

I stare at him in surprise. I didn’t expect this admission from him. I didn’t expectanyof this from him at all. He seems so easy-going and happy-go-lucky at all times, so careless of the world around him it’s difficult to imagine him suffering the repercussions of his action.

Evan watches me watching him and slowly shakes his head. “Oh my god. I can hardly believe it. Youareseeing some older guy, aren’t you?”

I roll my eyes. “I got a job, alright?”

Clearly, this is not the scandalous revelation he was expecting. At all.

He blinks, mouth wide open, revealing those obnoxiously white teeth of his. “Ajob?”

“Yes. What else would it be?”

“I don’t know. Something darker. Something more… deviant.”

“No. That’s just your overactive imagination. I just got a part-time job so I can put some money aside for university next year. That’s it.”

“Oh.”

We sit staring at one another. My heart is too tight in my chest, as if it’s been tightly wrapped in cellophane. I can’t tell whether it’s because I'm nervous that my secret is finally out or because I’m terrified of being betrayed. A bit of both, I suppose.

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