Chapter 28
Nash
Marching down the freshman hallway felt odd.
I was really starting to hate all this nostalgia bullshit that kept creeping up.
Wayward had been my home more so than the mansion I’d survived with my father.
Every corner told a story, and I could still remember what it was like my first year here, envying the seniors and their hold on the school.
“Man, this brings back memories,” Myles said, voicing my thoughts. “I fucked Shaun’s girlfriend in that classroom,” he said, and I glanced at him.
“I wouldn’t reminisce on that in front of Princess if you like your balls attached.”
“I wasn’t, not like that anyway. Feck, he was so pissed. He knew she was cheatin’ on him, but never figured out it was me before he graduated.”
I stopped walking and turned to Myles.
“Is that seriously your best memory from freshman year?”
He tapped his chin.
“Naw, but stuff like that reminds me of how far I’ve come and how lucky I am.”
That was an interesting way to think of it. Stepping away, I yanked open the door to the classroom Blake was in with his tutees. Their heads shot up from whatever they were working on and stared at us. The whispering was instant.
“You’re early,” Blake said, and then looked at the time. “Correction, I’m late. Okay, all of you get out of here for the night. Make sure you bring your completed project to class next week.”
There was no grumbling or snide comments. They just jumped up and headed for the door.
I crossed my arms, seeing Blake in a new light. He seemed like a whole different person in this role. It really suited him. He was in his element.
“Camden, hold up,” Blake said, as the straggler from the back of the class reached us.
His eyes were guarded, and his posture was ready for a fight. Blake waited for the door to close before turning to him.
“Camden, this is Nash and Myles. Nash, this is who I was telling you about.”
Camden mirrored my position, looking me up and down like he was sizing me up.
“I know who you are. The King of Wayward.”
He made air quotes with his fingers, and I smirked. At one time, I would’ve knocked his teeth out for the disrespect, but like Myles, I’d come a long way.
Instead, I walked over to the desk where I’d sat when I was his age and ran my fingers over the top, staring outside.
“Every school needs one,” I said before looking at Camden. “Otherwise, there is chaos and disorder.”
“Isn’t that Dean Henry’s job?”
I snorted. “We both know that there are different layers. Dean Henry is the last resort, but it’s the students, or specifically the student leaders, who truly keep control.
I’ve had a lot going on this last year, and I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve let some things slip.
Including what happened to your friend.”
He looked down and then to Blake, who he obviously trusted.
“You can speak freely,” Blake said.
“Sawyer is trying really hard, and that fucker Trent is still sniffing around. But she’s not the only one.”
“Do you know who he is working for?”
Camden shook his head.
“I thought he was just doing it himself.”
“No, he’ll have a supplier and someone he answers to. He seems like a low-level pusher, trying to make a mark,” I said, sitting on the edge of the desk.
“So, what are you going to do,” Camden asked.
“That depends on you.”
“Me? Why me?”
“What would you do to protect a friend?”
A fire lit inside of him that I could see burning in his blue eyes.
“I’d kill for a friend, and I don’t care if it landed me in jail for the rest of my life.”
“Well, that’s not very smart,” I said with a smile.
He clenched his fists.
“It’s far better to kill them and never end up in jail.”
Camden’s brows knit together at my comment. I pushed away from the desk and walked over to the kid that Blake had pegged as the next generation’s leader, and so far…he was right.
“Once the school year ends, I’m gone. So are Myles, Blake, and everyone else who have been keeping order and ensuring that people like Trent don’t flourish.”
“No offense,” Camden said, and I knew what was coming next. “But aren’t you like the son of some mafia guy who killed a bunch of people?”
“I am. And I hear you’re the son of a man who tried to gut you and left you to die.”
Camden flinched.
“Does that make you your father?”
“Point taken.”
“Look, one thing has always remained the same here. Wayward is a safe place, no matter who our parents are. This school is our home, your home, your friend’s home, and rules are a must to maintain peace. It was like that before I became king, and it will be that way once I leave.”
“So, what does this have to do with me?”
“Blake thinks you have what it takes to rule.”
“Me?”
Camden laughed and looked at our three very serious expressions.
“Oh, you’re fucking serious. No…not a chance. I don’t want to rule shit. I just want to survive and get the hell out of here.”
“That’s your prerogative, but Blake sees something in you, something you don’t yet recognize in yourself.
Someone willing to put their neck on the line for what is right.
Someone smart and fierce. Someone loyal and brave, despite the fucked-up bullshit that comes at you.
Someone who can inspire and keep order.”
“I think you have the wrong guy,” Camden said, and backed up a step.
“You can run, Camden, but something that I’ve learned is that destiny has a way of forcing us onto the path again. Now, tell me…where can I find Trent?”
He swallowed hard and stared at me.
“What are you going to do?”
Smiling, I let him see the part of me that everyone feared.
“Some people need a reminder of how things work at Wayward.”
Camden licked his lips, and I could see the internal struggle between wanting to know and be involved and wanting to stay safe in the shadows.
“What would I need to do to lead,” he finally asked.
I stepped closer and stared into his eyes.
“If you choose to do this, there is no going back. Do you understand?”
Camden squared his shoulders and lifted his chin, eyes unwavering.
“Yeah, I understand. What do I need to do?”
“Let’s start with paying Trent a visit. If that goes well…I’ll teach you everything I know.” I lowered my voice to a whisper. “Including the best places to dispose of bodies.”
Camden’s eyes grew wide.
“And before you ask…yes, I have…we all have, more than once. If you can’t handle getting your hands dirty, then being a king is not for you.”
His hands balled into fists, his jaw firm. He reminded me a lot of myself at his age, desperate to make my mark and prove that I had what it took at all costs.
“I’ll take you to Trent,” he said.
With a nod, we left the classroom, but Blake grabbed my shoulder, holding me back.
“Whatever we do, nothing blows back on him. Camden needs to stay off the Curators’ shit list,” Blake ordered, making me smile.
“I love this version of you, Blake. You’re not letting fear rule your heart. It suits you.”
I was looking forward to scaring the shit out of this little prick. If that didn’t straighten him out…well, then he would be permanently transferred.