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“Walker’s not sure.”

“You been watching me. What are you reporting back?”

“What I’ve been seeing.”

“So, nothing. What’s the problem?”

“Meeting with him might be a good idea. So he can see you as you really are.”

“Blind as a bat.” I bet he wouldn’t feel any remorse, either. That was the way of gangs. Jump members in, off those who leave, or seriously hurt them.

I hadn’t said I’d leave, but after seeing Mom, I’d tackled Walker. Once again, not one of my brightest ideas.

“And Lizzie? Drey?” I asked. “They’re off the radar, too.”

“Stopped checking on her two weeks ago. She’s having fun with some college guy now.”

Chapter Fifty-Six

Lizzie

“Whydoyouturnyour can three times, then drink?” Trent asked me from across the library table.

“Just because.” I set the can back down, and turned it to the right position.

“You’re so weird.” He winked, then looked back down to his book.

He had no idea. We’d been dating for a few weeks, and I hadn’t told him a peep about anything. Not the past agoraphobia, the OCD, the…well, nothing. He asked, but I deflected. I was the best at it, considering I’d been in therapy for years.

He was no match for me.

His foot hit mine under the table, then he flicked my book. “I’m ready for a study break. You?”

“Yes!” I was done with this stupid psych paper for the day. It’d been a while since I’d tackled that, and it was kicking my butt.

When he’d asked me why I started college so late, I blew him off, telling him I was goofing around after high school.

“Need a sugar fix?”

“Always.” I closed my book. It didn’t land quite right, so I closed it again and smoothed the cover. That felt right.

Trent’s eyebrow quirked, but he didn’t say anything. I hated when he looked at me that way. Made me feel self-conscious.

I shoved my book in my backpack, adjusted it until it was exactly right and slid the backpack on. “Where to?” I whispered as I reached for his outstretched hand.

“Student center?” he asked, guiding me around the tables filled with students.

“M&Ms and Pepsi,” I said.

“I’m so glad I found a chick who doesn’t diet every second of the day. I love that you eat tons of junk food. But first…” He guided me around the geography aisle of the library.

“Forget a book?” I asked.

He spun me around. “We’ve been dating for a few weeks now, can I get a first kiss yet?”

He caught me by surprise so much that I froze. He took that as a yes and leaned in. Soft lips met mine. A wave of mint swirled around me. His hand cupped my cheek as he tilted his head and pressed his mouth to mine a little more.

My heart pounded. My head went dizzy. And I just stood there, hands out to the side. Clumsy. I felt clumsy and stupid. I’d kissed before. Damon. I’d kissed Damon a lot.

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