Page 53 of Kings & Corruption

“Neo isn’t the only one in charge here, tiger.” He stood and looked down at me. “And he wasn’t the only one who decided you’d play. We all did.”

Chapter24

Willa

Iwas almost relieved when Monday came around. I was here to find Emma, not get a degree, but at least class was an excuse to leave the house.

And the house, well, the house had gotten very confusing.

My three most annoying housemates were enigmas — well, Rock and Oscar anyway. Neo was still a very obvious asshole — and I was tired of walking the tightrope of affection and distrust.

Getting dressed for the first day of school felt easy by comparison, and I chose a short floral romper from my closet, paired them with my platform sandals, and curled my hair into long loose waves. A quick application of makeup finished the job, and I grabbed my bag and went downstairs.

Rock and Oscar were already in the kitchen with Matt. They looked up when I entered and eyed my bare legs appreciatively.

“Morning, Willa,” Matt said with a smile.

“Morning.” He really was cute, but after hanging with Rock and Oscar, it was hard not to think about Matt like a little brother.

“Morning, tiger,” Oscar said. “You’re looking gorgeous as usual.”

I scowled. “Compliments will get you nowhere.”

It was a lie — I loved the appreciation he and Rock showered on me every day — but I was still mad about the game. I’d been so sure Neo was the one who’d decided I would play. Rock and Oscar had started to feel like allies, and I couldn’t help feeling betrayed that they’d been in on it too.

It was a good reminder not to trust them, a reminder I’d obviously needed.

I started to hunt in the cupboard for one of the travel mugs I’d seen there.

“What are you doing?” Rock asked.

“Getting coffee before we go.” I’d already resigned myself to riding to campus with the guys.

“Don’t bother,” Rock said. “We’ll stop on the way. Tradition.”

“Thank god,” I muttered.

“That hurts,” Rock said, sounding genuinely wounded. “If you want a different brand coffee, just ask and I’ll buy it. Or better yet, come with me to the grocery store and you can pick it out yourself.”

“It’s not that.” The house had all the amenities, and Rock bought the best quality food — and coffee — available, but I was starting to get cabin fever. I missed coffee shops and restaurants and people who didn’t look like Calvin Klein models. “I’ve just been wanting to see more of Blackwell Falls."

“We’ll get out more now that school has started,” Oscar said, plucking a set of keys from one of the hooks by the garage door. “Let’s go.”

“Wait,” Rock said, opening the fridge. He handed me a plastic container and got a plastic spoon from one of the cupboards. “You need breakfast.”

“What’s this?” I asked.

“Yogurt parfait,” he said as if it was obvious. “With fresh fruit.”

My stomach grumbled a little. I’d always had a big appetite, and I’d been avoiding the kitchen. The more I saw the guys, the more complicated things became.

“Thanks.”

We headed to the garage and I made a beeline for the Hummer, but Oscar stopped in front of the Audi R8. It was a beautiful car — sleek, black, and low to the ground with windows so dark I couldn’t see the interior through anything but the windshield.

“We’re taking the Audi?” I asked.

“Have to take advantage of it when Neo’s not around,” Rock said, opening the passenger side door and cramming his giant body in the back seat.

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