Torment Her (Rebels At Sterling Prep #5) - Caitlyn Dare Page 0,75
silvery hue of the moonlight trickling in through the blinds. My clock reads a little after midnight. I must have fallen asleep.
Rubbing my eyes, I turn my cell back on and wait for it to power up. There are no messages.
Nothing.
The wind howls against my windows outside. I heard we were due for a bad storm. Something crashes against the glass, and my heart lurches into my throat.
I clutch my phone, contemplating calling Hadley to see if she’s back. But I know she’s probably still at the Jaggers’. For all I know, Conner and Cole are keeping her company.
Jealousy burns through me. He says they only kissed, but I don’t know if I believe him. Conner and Hadley share a special bond, anyone who knows them can see that.
But is it more than just friendship?
God. I feel like I’m losing my freaking mind. Is this what it feels like to be in a normal relationship?
The constant self-doubt and questioning every little thing?
Not that I’m even sure that’s what this is.
Another crack at the window has my pulse spiking. I turn on the lamp and throw back the cover, padding across to the window. Pulling the blinds apart, I peer into the darkness. The trees behind the building bend and bow with the force of the wind, a loose branch striking the glass.
It’s just the wind.
I take a deep breath, my mind playing tricks on me as the trees begin to shift and shimmer into crooked fingers and eyeless monsters. For a second, I even think I see someone standing down there. But when I blink, the figure is gone, and I know I need to stop letting my mind run away with me.
Flicking the blind back in place, I climb back in bed and burrow beneath the covers.
Wishing more than ever that Conner was here.
Monday rolls around, and I don’t see Conner all morning.
“Hey,” Hadley joins me at my locker, “how are you?”
“How do you think?” I slam it a little too hard, and the echo reverberates through me.
“Listen, about Friday... I had no idea Conner had—”
“Look, Hadley. It’s obvious you and Conner share some kind of bond. You were friends first, right, so I get it. Your loyalty lies with him.”
“It isn’t like that.” She lets out a small sigh. “I want us to be friends, I do. But he’s going through some stuff—”
“You think I don’t know that?” I narrow my eyes at her, when realization sinks into me. “You know, don’t you?”
“I swear Conner didn’t tell me. It was Cole.”
“Great, that’s just great.” I bet Ace and Remi know, too. I bet they all sat around talking about it, because they’re family...
And I’m not.
“I need to get to class.” I shove past Hadley, but she grabs my arm at the last second.
“You’ll get through this. Conner just needs time.”
“Whatever.” I shirk her off and take off down the hall.
Lylah and Marissa give me a wide berth, but I barely notice them, too lost in my own misery. I’m almost at my next class, when I pass the library. Something catches my eye and I peer inside.
Conner is huddled close with Aimee as he goes over her notes with her. She giggles at something he says, and he smiles.
He fucking smiles.
He’s just tutoring her. But it’s too much. His friendship with Hadley. His arrangement with tutor girl. I’m beginning to think the problem isn’t what Warren did to me.
It’s just me.
“This is new.” Cole approaches me as I sit outside in the bitter wind. The storm passed, but the wind is still brutal.
“I needed some air.”
“Yeah, I get that.”
“What do you want, Cole?” I release a strained breath.
“Just wanted to check in and see how you’re doing? Ask if my ass of a brother has managed to get over himself yet?”
“Do you think I’d be sitting here if he had?” My brow lifts.
“Touché. If it’s any consolation, he’s as miserable as you are.”
“I’m not—” I swallow the words, because he’s right. I am miserable. And hurt. And pissed.
“Look, a little word of advice? My brother has a big heart. Sometimes it gets in the way.”
“I’m done putting myself out there, Cole. I can’t keep being knocked back. It’s killing me.”
“Shit, Kenny. I didn’t—”
“It’s fine. Maybe it’s better this way.”
“Do you really believe that? You and Conner have that childhood sweetheart thing going on. You’re destined or some shit. But it might take more than a gentle push to make him see what’s right in front of him.”