Saint (Angelview Academy #1) - E.M. Snow Page 0,94

so we’re a breath apart, he answers, “Now, you just look forward to tonight because when I come to your room, you’re not getting rid of me until morning.”

I shiver at the heated promise in his words.

Saint and I resume our nightly activities together, and it’s as good as ever.

At least, it would be if he wasn’t acting weird. Again.

After we’re done, and we’re just lying together talking, he’s started back in on trying to get me to leave Angelview. This time, he’s switched tactics and is now suggesting other private schools for me to attend.

“St. Hildegard’s supposed to have an excellent swim team,” he points out to me a few days before Thanksgiving Break. “Plus, it’s an all-girls school, so I don’t have to worry about any strange dick chasing after you.”

I prop myself up on my side and gaze down at him with a frown.

“We’ve been over this before,” I say, releasing a sigh. “I’m not leaving. Besides, I can’t afford any other school. I’m only here because of my scholarship.”

Which is something I’ve told him a million times. I don’t know if he’s just not listening to me, or if he really doesn’t get it.

“I could help you,” he replies. “Cover your tuition for you. It’s just one more semester, right?”

I gape at him. “You’re not doing that. No way in hell will I take your money.”

He lets out a growl. “Come on, Mallory. Anywhere is better than this shithole.”

I’m certain that’s not true. I could be back at Rayfort High, which would be a thousand times worse than anything I’ve experienced here so far. I can’t tell him that, though. I can’t tell him anything about what’s waiting for me should I ever go back to my hometown.

I shake my head. “You’ve got to give this up, Saint. You’re not going to convince me to leave.”

His expression tightens and he looks momentarily upset. Frustrated and anxious. He always looks like this when I shoot down his suggestions for different schools. I can’t help the tug of worry in my gut. Saint rarely looks affected by anything.

But my continued presence at Angelview?

That worries him, which terrifies me.

30

Thanksgiving Break comes and goes, and my fears and anxieties begin to settle down. Dylan never showed back up at Carley’s, and I think that means he’s let go of whatever he wanted from me. Things between me and Saint are getting better, it seems, though he seems moody and standoffish still. He’s dropped the topic of me going to another school, at least for the time being. That’s eased some of the tension between us.

Somewhat.

Another positive development? Liam’s started hanging out with Saint and Gabe again. The Monday after Thanksgiving, I walked into the dining hall and found him sitting at their usual table, and I couldn’t help the smile that curled my lips. It was such a relief to see all three of them together again. I hadn’t realized how much it bothered me that they were fighting until they appeared to make up.

All three guys have started inviting Loni and I to hang with them. We’ve been studying for finals all together, as well as interacting on campus like we’re actually friends. It’s surreal, but not an unwelcome development. The rest of the school has eased up on their hate of me again, and some people have even credited me with reuniting Saint and Liam once more. I’m the most welcome I’ve ever been, which isn’t really saying something, but still.

One night after dinner, Loni and I are walking to the library together, each heading to a different study partner for the evening. She’s prepping for her AP Chemistry final, and I’m meeting up with Liam for English.

“How’s Saint feel about you hanging with Liam without him?” Loni suddenly asks as we near the library’s entrance.

Her question catches me a little off guard and I have to take a moment to collect my thoughts before I can respond.

“Fine, I guess.”

Loni looks as though she doesn’t believe that for a second. “You’re sure he’s okay? After everything they went through?”

I pause just outside the library doors and face her. “Do you know something I don’t, Loni? Saint and Liam have made up. They’re cool with each other.”

She shakes her head. “Sure, they say that, but I don’t think they’re being totally honest. You can cut the tension between them with a knife.”

I had noticed that things seemed strained between them, but I had chalked it up to residual pressure