26. Chapter 26
Chapter twenty-six
Jinx
I shouldn’t be this nervous. But knowing I have to face a room full of men tomorrow morning is freaking me out. It also doesn’t help that I’m stuck between the twins while they are passed out. They are making it impossible for me to get out of bed. I need to get things off my mind.
I stare at the ceiling for another ten minutes before I give in. I pull the blankets back, and Atticus grumbles, moving his arm looking for them. I carefully climb over him, and his eyes snap open.
“Little Grim? Going somewhere?” his voice came out horse and broken.
“Yeah. To pee, do you mind.” I sass him.
He tilts his head in a yes motion. Like I need his permission, I climb off him and leave the bedroom. I head for the living room and open the window, hoping that Edgar will come by. I stare into the darkness, wishing he would come by now. I need my friend back. A surge of disappointment runs through my body when he doesn’t show. I turn and find my cello in the stand next to my seat.
I run my hand along the neck, feeling the smooth wood. My skin prickles with happiness to have it back in my hands again. I pick up my bow and settle the cello comfortably between my legs as I take a seat. I adjust the bow in my hand, position my fingers, and begin to play. My body sways as the melody takes me away. This is what I needed to relax.
“Gwah.”
My body freezes. I swing around to the window and there he sits. I drop my cello and rush over to him.
“Edgar.” I hiccup, tears falling on the counter. “Where have you been?” I hold my hand out, waiting for him to step on my palm.
“Kraa.”
“I know, it’s been ages. Did you have grand adventures?” I stroke his head, and he nuzzles into it more. “God, I’ve missed you.” I cradle him into my chest, needing him closer.
“Jinx?”
I turn around and see a blurry Ashton standing in front of me. “He came back.” I sniff, trying not to break down completely.
“Come here, love.” He holds his arms open, inviting me in.
“He’s back.”
Ashton pets Edgar on the head, and he looks up at Ashton. “Kraa.”
“Yeah, missed you too, buddy. But if you leave her again. It’s roast chicken out of you.”
I pull Edgar closer. “He’s kidding; I would never let him do that.” I look at Ash. “Don’t say such things. He’s sensitive.”
“Are you two finished? I’m tired. Put the bird down.”
“Kraa.”
“Yeah, he’s still an asshole.” I pull away from Ash and glare at Atticus. “Don’t be a dick.” I place Edgar back on the counter and watch as he hops closer to the window. My heart sinks when he shakes his feathers out.
“He’ll come back, Jinx.”
I turn back to Atticus, and he simply nods. “Okay, I trust you.” With one more squawk, Edgar flies away. I feel like a part of me has left with him. I can only hope that Atticus is right and Edgar will come back.
“You okay? I heard you playing.” Ashton rubs my lower back as I continue to stare out the window.
“Yeah, I need to calm my mind.”
“Nervous about tomorrow?” Atticus asks.
I turn, crossing my arms, and take them in. “What if Roan says something, and I’m unprepared to answer it? I know Allan will be there, so I’m not overly worried, but it still scares me.”
After what he said to me last time, I won’t put it past him for saying something this time around. And now that I know he’s been stalking me, how am I supposed to look at him? He’s seen so much my privacy doesn’t exist to him. My skin crawls at the thought of it. He was in my dorm room and also left me those roses. I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself.
“Shit, Jinx. Steady your breathing. In and out.” Ashton cups my face and breathes with me. “Good, you’ve got this.”
When my chest isn’t tight anymore, I drop my head on his chest. “I don’t want to do this.”
“No one says you have to, but you’re stubborn and will do it, anyway. Whatever you have planned, Jinx it better work.”
“It will, Atticus. Have some faith in me for once.”
“You should try to get some sleep. Tomorrow is gonna drain the fuck out of you,” Ashton speaks into my hair.
I take a deep breath and smooth down my dress again. I don’t want to do this. I stare at myself in the mirror, taking in my appearance. Spending five days in that basement took a toll on me; my body doesn’t look like mine still. I want the old Jinx back.
“Jinx, we gotta go.” Atticus knocks on the bathroom door.
I take one more inhale and give myself a nod. “You are a bad bitch.” I open the door to find Atticus and Ashton wearing a suit each. I point at them. “Explain.”
“We are going to that meeting. If you think we’re letting you sit in that room alone, you can forget about it. Maddox is also joining us.”
“Ashton, no. You three can’t be there. The things we discuss are not for the general public.”
“Oh, so were the general public now?”
I throw my hands in the air. “Yes.”
“Tough luck, we're going. Now grab your pack, and let’s go.” Atticus turns, and I can’t help but stare at him. How can an asshole look that good in a suit?
“Yeah, we look pretty fuckin’ hot in these, don’t we?” Ashton grabs his lapel and pulls them, looking smug.
“Whatever, I don’t have time for your macho ego.” I move past him, grabbing my fanny pack and jacket. The sooner I get in that meeting, the quicker it’ll be over. I don’t talk to either guy as I step into the hall, but when I see Maddox in dress pants and shirt, it's the leather jacket that seals the deal for me.
“Baby. Are you ready?”
“Yeah, if we hurry up and stop asking that question.”
“Deal.” He grabs my hand, intertwining our fingers. The twins lead the way, and I try not to think of what I want to do with them while they wear those suits. You can barely see Atticus’ neck tattoos peaking over the collar of his dress shirt, adding to the mystery of what’s underneath.
I’ll never get used to this cold air; bring back the autumn warmth. Maddox never lets go of my hand the entire walk across the courtyard. But the closer we get to the school, the more I regret this meeting. I should’ve canceled it even if this needs to be done and dealt with.
As we walk into the school, Florence meets us. “They started the meeting early. You didn’t get my message?”
“What? No. Those assholes. I should’ve known they would’ve done this.” I let go of Maddox’s hand and storm toward the boardroom, and if I have to say whose idea it was, I’m going to go with Roan. Why wouldn’t Allan reach out to me? He knew I had to be there. I turn down the hall, and Allan is waiting.
“Odette. Thank God. It’s a shitshow in there. They won’t listen to me, and I have no idea what the hell is going on.”
“It’s fine, Allan. They all have massive egos and love to bitch. It’s who they are.” I turn to the guys. “You can’t come in. I don’t care what you say.”
“Jinx.” Atticus growls.
“She’s correct, boys. You can’t be in that room without authority. School rules, and believe me, I didn’t make them.”
“What stupid rule is that?” Ashton scoffs.
“Yes, well, it’s not a normal school if you haven’t noticed. So, if you don’t mind, Odette and I will be going in.” Allan opens the door, extending a hand for me to enter first.
“If I need you, I’ll yell.”
“Fuckin’ rights you will. I'm breaking down the doors if I hear one peep from you.” Maddox looked at me; his left eye twitched.
I give them a nod and step into the room from hell. Allan slams the door behind us, and the room falls quiet. Barnaby sits at the table, resting his folded hands in front of him. Archer halts his step before his chair, and when my eyes land on Roan, I need to steady my breath. His brown eyes latch onto mine, and the last few months have come flooding back. Everything he’s done to me is like a rush. I turn back to Burnaby, the netural party at the table.
“Good morning, Burnaby.”
“Miss Hawthorne. How are you?”
I take the seat at the head, establishing my power over the room. I do my best not to look at Roan when he sits beside me. Allan sits on my other side, followed by Archer.
“Can we start with the fact that my grandson was found unconscious in the concert hall.”
I have to hold in my laugh. That asshole had it coming. “And why was Cameron there in the first place, Archer? He isn’t even in music to begin with.”
Archer lays his eyes on me. “I don’t think that matters. Someone beat him up, and he won’t say who. I want justice.”
“Cameron is a big boy. He can handle his shit. Maybe you should let him for once. Can we move on?” I lean back in my chair, waiting for Archer to argue like always.
“I can accept that. I do need to let Cameron figure out his battles. It’s hard for me sometimes, you know.”
I resist the temptation to clean my ears because I don’t think I heard what I did. Did Archer agree with me? This isn’t happening; he’s always fought back. Cameron was his precious little boy that couldn’t do any harm. What the fuck is happening?
“That’s very mighty of you, Archer. Thank you,” Burnaby speaks up.
“Yes, mighty,” Roan drawled, looking bored.
“Do you have something to add, Roan?” Archer snaps back.
I’m not sure if I like where this is headed.
“I do have something to say to Odette.” He turns, and I know he’s going to air everything.
“And what is that, Roan? I’m still confused what you bring to this school.”
His lip curves into a sinister smile. “I’m the money back to this school, Odette. Do you think this school would be operational without me? Think again. I’ve been here before your father took over. I’m not going to let some girl tell me what to do. Hiring Allan without informing the board goes against the rules.
“Are you kidding me?” Allan’s mouth falls open.
“He has to be. You had your time to bring this up after Dad died. Why wait?”
There’s no way this is what he wanted to talk about. He’s got to be dense. How does he not know I cracked the stalker code? It’s been days since Wilde took Augustus and hid him; Roan hasn’t been able to contact him; I need to figure out his angle.
“I figured a meeting with everyone was the perfect timing to bring it up and have a proper voting.”
“Roan, no one cares that Allan is here. He’s been doing his job like any other dean would be doing. Just drop it.” Burnaby shakes his head.
“I have to agree with Burnaby. Whatever you’re trying to start isn’t working,” Archer adds.
I smile at Roan. “I guess we have our answer. Because I vote the same, and that’s three against one. What else do we need to talk about?”
“I believe that’s everything, Odette. Meeting adjourns.” Burnaby finishes writing his notes, stands, looks at Roan, and clears his throat. “That includes you, Roan. Leave.”
Roan glares at me as he backs away from the table. “Don’t worry. I know where she is if I need to have a conversation with her again.”
Shivers race down my spine; of course, he knows where I am. But the one thing he doesn’t know is that his identity has been figured out, and I can’t wait to finally catch him in a trap.