Page 26 of Step Alpha

I was just hoping for a high B at this point. Anything that won’t further solidify my C.

Kringle-crap! I got a 76. Another C.

This bites.

I was thinking about asking Bailey if she could tutor me, maybe over Zoom or something, but I know she’s busy with her college classes. I don’t want to be a burden.

“Congratulations to Lincoln, who got the highest grade in the class on the test. The rest of you need to review a little more before the midterm in two weeks,” Ms. Landon says.

I look over at Lincoln, who appears nonplussed by the praise. Huh. Didn’t know he was a brainiac. But he probably went to a much better school before he moved here.

Maybe…

No. It’s a bad idea. And not because Wilde told me not to hang out with him. I don’t care about Wilde. In fact, that might be the exact reason I should make time to hang out with Lincoln. Show my infuriatingstepbrotherthat he’s not in charge of me.

Also, I really need help. I don’t want to stay in Wolf Ridge after graduation. Ihaveto get out of here.

“Hey, Lincoln.” I fall into step with the much taller student as we head out of the classroom.

“Hey.”

“I…by any chance do you tutor? I mean, would you be willing to go over my test with me and show me what I did wrong?”

Okay, that’s stupid. The teacher literally just said she would do that for us if we came in before school. But I can’t come in early because of my whole ride situation.

Wilde has been gone for the last four days, which has been a relief. After the pack elders read him the riot act, he flew to Durham to pack up his bedroom at the frat house and drive back in his Jeep.

“Sure.” Lincoln snatches my test from my hand and gives it a quick scan. “Do you want to go over it now? We could go to the library. Or my place, if you want.” He raises a brow. “Or would your stepbrother kick my ass?” He doesn’t sound the least bit scared by that prospect. More like he’s trying to figure out what the deal is.

“Yeah, he’s a little…overprotective.” I let out a shaky laugh. “And kind of a dick.” And then, because it’s important to me to prove I’m not being bullied by my stepbrother, I say, “Your house sounds great.”

Of course, the moment I do, I realize at least ten people around us have turned their heads to look. They all heard the whole damn conversation.

I have no doubt Wilde will hear about this the moment he gets back into town.

Well, good.

That will show him he can’t run my life.

I stop at my locker and grab my backpack and books then walk out to the parking lot with Lincoln. His sister Lauren is already sitting in the passenger seat. He–or they, I don’t know–drive a Tesla, which is a seriously sweet ride.

“Rayne’s coming home with us. We’re going over the Calculus test.”

“Oh, cool. Yeah, Lincoln has a great math brain. Me, not so much. I’m in Advanced Algebra.”

“So, how come he gets to drive?” I demand as Lincoln starts the car.

“He doesn’t. I mean, we take turns,” she says.

“Cool.”

I imagine what it would be like to have some brotherly cooperation from Wilde. Like if we’d become siblings a little younger.

No, it would never happen. There’s nothing brotherly about Wilde. Including the way my body reacts to him.

“Can you drive me home when we’re done?” I ask, suddenly realizing there’s no way in hell I want Logan to catch wind of this friendship, either. I’m sure Wilde gets his biases from his dad. Human friendships are frowned on.

“Yeah. Of course.” Lincoln drives easily. Without thought. Like he’s been doing it for a million years, not one or two.

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