Mercy (Somerset University #3) - Ruby Vincent Page 0,11

power I begged for was nothing short of a betrayal.

Too fucking late.

Now everybody could see me, but only Val came close. Bold and fearless and determined to figure me out like no one ever was. She drew laughs out of me after my mind forgot the sound. She intrigued me after I set in stone that people weren’t worth my time. She pulverized wall after wall while I wasn’t looking, and then one day I glanced up, and she was everywhere.

She was everything.

The robotics meeting was held in the computer engineering building in a lab on the third floor. I walked in, mind on Val, and vaguely noticed the guy coming down the opposite direction, heading for the same elevator.

I pressed the button as he stopped next to me.

“Hey. You’re Ezra’s friend, right?”

I looked down, though not far. Sawyer Burn wasn’t as tall as me, but he was far from average height. “Burn?”

“Figured that was you.” He held out his hand. “Didn’t know if you remember me from the charity dinner.”

“Yeah, I’m Maverick,” I said slowly, extending my own for a shake. “I remember you. Ezra telling us how you were snatched off the street and driven off in a black van is hard to forget.”

He winced. “I know how bad that looked, and I hate that Ezra lost his place with the Sams because he pushed to find me. I like that guy. Thought he’d make a great brother.”

“Ezra isn’t hung up about not getting into the fraternity. It’s you he was worried about. He thought you were dead for a while.”

“If I was snatched, I’m lucky Ezra would’ve had my back. As it is, I wish I could make it up to him.”

You could do that by telling everyone the fucking truth.

I didn’t bother saying it out loud. Sawyer was sticking to the story that his parents appeared out of nowhere and hauled him off. I didn’t hold out hope that he’d break under the torture of lobby music and spill his guts as we waited for the elevator.

“You’ll figure something out,” I replied.

The elevator dinged.

I stepped in, pressed the button for the third floor, and propped myself against the handrail. Silence filled the small space.

My eyes fixed straight ahead, and out of the corner, I noticed him glancing at me. Quiet made others uncomfortable, but for me, it was home. I knew my way around an awkward silence like an Olympic runner knew his way around a track. I would not be the first one to—

“So where are you headed?” asked Sawyer as the doors opened. “Shouldn’t you be off enjoying your summer vacation?”

“I have robotics.”

“Seriously? Me too.”

That didn’t get an exclamation from me. I assumed we were going to the same place. Why else would he be here?

“I used to be on the team,” Sawyer continued. “Had to drop out obviously. Mr. Frost let me back in and I’m taking summer classes to get back on track. It’s like I never left.”

I didn’t take the bait, pretending like he left under normal circumstances and deserved a normal greeting welcoming him back.

I strode ahead of Sawyer, reaching our lab and holding the door open for him. “Glad to have you back, man.”

And thank you for making it easy for me.

I returned his grin as he strode inside.

I wasn’t meant to have a normal summer anyway.

VALENTINA

Adam bounced on Olivia’s bed, chattering nonstop about everything that happened in his life since he last saw her. It had been less than a week since their Skype date. That was a lot in Adam time.

“Then Mommy took me to see Cinnamon and Miss Maddy let me brush her all by myself. I got to sit on Cinnamon and she was so big, Livia!”

“Cool,” she gushed. “I can’t wait to meet her. You can teach me how to ride.”

“Okay!”

I leaned against the doorjamb, enjoying the scene. I promised my mom I’d graduate from Evergreen and then shower her in a life of luxury, and I kept my promises. My mom packed a suitcase shortly after I moved into Shea Mansion and set off around the world, visiting all the places she dreamed about from the other side of the television screen.

Adam and I missed her like crazy, but she was always a call away no matter the time zone.

And now she’s home.

“You just gonna stand in the doorway? Get over here and give me some love.”

Running to her, I threw myself in her hug. “I’m so glad you came up early. I