Chapter 18
ASH
S cott and I are silent on the drive to campus.
That’s rare for us, and it makes me uneasy.
Unfortunately, I can’t think of a thing to say that I’m sure would land right.
For some stupid reason I want to apologize for the way War was acting and say he’s easily misunderstood.
But that might make it look like I’m taking War’s side over Scott’s. Which will never happen.
The day I take anyone’s side over my brother’s is the day I’m brain-damaged from a severe head injury and can no longer remember the history of my life.
Once we reach the visitor lot that’s closest to my dorm, Scott and I climb out.
“How are the boys doing?” I ask, infusing my voice with extra cheer. “Is Finn still trying to sneak out to go to ‘preen-school’?”
The mention of his little boy’s stubbornness causes a small smile to appear at the edges of Scott’s mouth. “Yeah, and my mother-in-law is too nice. If I was home all day with him, that kid would live in timeout. She just ignores the tantrums and rolls out the snacks and games. ”
“I don’t think a grandma can be too nice.”
“No, you’re right. She’s the best. But that kid’s gonna be in for a rude awakening when he goes to school, and no one cares whether he’s happy or not.”
After I use my school ID to unlock Central Dorm’s front door, I lead Scott to the elevator.
One of the girls from the second floor elbows her friend as they step off, mouthing the words “Oh, my God!” in reference to my brother’s good looks.
It’s a typical reaction for my friends and schoolmates.
Neither of us gives the least indication that we noticed as we enter the elevator and ride up to my floor.
When I open the door to my room, Scott whistles at the mess.
“Did you leave it like this?” he asks.
I laugh sheepishly, grabbing scattered clothes from the floor and tossing them in a mesh pop-up hamper. “Once Sawyer moved out, my stuff kind of migrated all over.”
Scott exhales audibly and shakes his head.
“I know. If I was staying at your house, I’d live in timeout.”
That causes us both to laugh.
“I thought I had you trained better than this. When you stay at my place, you never leave the guest room like this, do you?”
“No, cuz I know if you saw it, it would drive you crazy.” Sitting on my floor, I reach under the bed frame to retrieve the jump drive. Twisting, I hold it out to my brother.
He slides it into his pocket and holds out a hand to help me up. “On the night you provided Maddie Hearn with gunfire cover, do you think the guys chasing her saw you?”
“I didn’t think so. I was hiding behind a big planter with a tree in it, and I dropped down behind the half wall. War didn’t spot me, but his position wasn’t the best vantage.”
Scott inclines his head. “He was also distracted. He’d just been shot.”
“True. The guys who were chasing her were in the center of the alley. They had better position to see me if they looked up in time. I was pretty quick, though.”
He nods. Unable to help himself, he fixes the corner of the blanket so it’s smooth and tosses my pillow to the head of the bed.
“War knows I shot him. For definite. Just FYI.”
“You discussed that while kidnapped?” His expression conveys that he is not pleased by this news.
“It came up. Didn’t seem prudent to lie.”
“Hmm.” He walks over and opens the door for me. “Come on, baby, let’s go.”