5. Hayden
“You’re sure you feel up to going back to class?” Knox asked for the twelfth time this morning.
I fought the urge to throw something at him. “I stayed in bed for four days and took it easy for another three. I’m starting to go stir-crazy.”
Cáel pulled me into him, but the action was gentle, as if I were made from the most delicate glass. “You should take at least another two weeks.”
I pinched his side lightly. “I’m fine.”
And I was starting to lose it with the way the guys were hovering. Maddox and Easton kept their distance, but there was still that air. Even now, Easton stood by the front door, simply waiting, not saying a word.
There was tension between him and the rest of his brothers. Tension that had guilt gnawing at me. Yes, it was Easton’s cruel words that had sent me running. But I was the idiot who’d run out of the club without protection. But every time I tried to talk to Easton, he dodged me.
I never thought that I’d prefer Easton’s snide comments and rude remarks, but they were a hell of a lot better than this careful silence. Everything about the way things were was too quiet. There was no laughter or life. The guys didn’t tease and play. And they sure as hell weren’t touching me.
My mouth pulled into a scowl as I bent to pick up my backpack. But Cáel snatched it up before I could lift it. I glared at him, extending my hand.
“I’ve got it.”
I narrowed my eyes, not moving my hand.
Cáel averted his eyes.
“You shouldn’t be lifting heavy things,” Knox said softly.
I turned to face him. “Marcus said I’m 100 percent healed.”
Knox wasn’t so easily cowed by my angry stare. “He also said that you need to take it easy for another week.”
“As in, I shouldn’t start training for a marathon, not that I can’t carry my own bag.”
“Let them take care of you, Little Flame. They need it,” Cillian said, striding through the entryway, looking devastating in his black suit.
My glare shifted to him.
Cillian just laughed and gently tugged me into his arms. His lips brushed over my temple. “I’m glad to see you’re feeling better.”
I grumbled something not all that warm and welcoming under my breath. But my body was a complete traitor. It came alive under the briefest touch. It was as if my nerve endings stood and stretched, reaching for more of Cillian. Only I knew I’d never get it.
Just as quickly as he’d pulled me into his hold, Cillian released me. “You guys better get going, or you’ll be late.”
I gnashed my back teeth together, swallowing down a snippy retort. I knew that the guys had been through their own ordeal. I’d scared the hell out of them when I’d been hit with that dragon fire. But I was starting to feel like some sort of jewel they wanted to hide away instead of their mate.
“Hayden,” Cillian called as I started toward the door.
I turned to look at him, but I couldn’t force out any words.
His gaze swept over me, and I swore I saw a hint of fear in his expression for the briefest second.
“We’ll have two enforcers patrolling campus, and Knox, Cáel, and Easton will meet you between classes. You go nowhere alone. Promise me.”
It wasn’t a question. It was a demand. But I didn’t have it in me to challenge him.
“I promise.”
There was no life in my voice, no spark. I was too tired.
We filed out of the house and climbed into Easton’s G-Wagon. I was quiet on the ride to campus, simply staring out the window, watching the forests and town pass. I felt a pang when we passed Spark’s Diner. Cillian had already informed Fiona that I wouldn’t be working there any longer. It was too risky.
Hal Corbett had gone into hiding, but that didn’t mean that other Corbett clan members weren’t waiting to pounce. From the little I’d managed to overhear, tensions were running high between the two hordes. One wrong move and there would be an all-out war.
“You remember the cover story?” Knox asked from up front where he was riding shotgun.
I swallowed hard, not moving my gaze from the window as Easton parked. “I was getting some air in the alley at Ashes amp; Emeralds, and someone tried to mug me. They heard Easton coming, got spooked, and shot me. I didn’t see their face.”
The cop that had finally been allowed to question me hadn’t seemed all that concerned about my so-called attack. He told me to stay away from dangerous clubs and left. But I guessed with no ID or bullet, what was he supposed to do?
Cáel reached over and squeezed my thigh. “You don’t have to do this.”
I watched as students strode into the various academic buildings. This was exactly what I needed. School had always been my one grounding force. I’d need it now more than ever. So, I opened my door and slid out.
Cáel had been right.I should’ve stayed home.
“I heard she was giving someone a blow job in the alley, and then he just shot her when she was done,” one girl whispered to another as I headed down the hallway.
My shoulders slumped. The rumor mill had apparently been flying in the week since I’d been out of classes, and I was sure I had Delaney to thank for a large portion of it. I hated to admit it, but I was exhausted. My muscles ached, and my brain was foggy. All I wanted was a long nap.
I rounded the corner of the science building, knowing that one of the two enforcers on Hayden duty would be trailing behind. They had been all day long.
“Hayden,” an annoyed voice clipped.
My head jerked up to find Professor Brent glowering at me.
The pressure built behind my eyes. The last thing I needed to deal with after the longest day known to man was him.
“Professor,” I greeted.
“My office. Now.”
Shit. Shit. Shit.
I glanced behind me at my shadow, Pete. His usually easygoing expression was tight, but there was nothing he could do without exposing himself.
“Now,” Brent pushed.
I sighed and followed him down the hall to his small office. The space was crammed with books but still managed to fit a desk, two chairs for students, and a leather couch.
“Sit,” Brent ordered, gesturing to the couch.
I bit the inside of my cheek but did as he commanded.
“I have sent you half a dozen emails. I had to hear from the dean that you were shot. What the hell is going on?”
I laced my hands in my lap as my advisor lowered himself to the couch next to me. “I’m sorry. I still haven’t gotten to my emails. I’ve been recovering and trying to catch up on the schoolwork I’ve missed.”
The truth was, I was now ahead in all my classes. I’d been bored as hell this past week and read ahead in just about every subject.
Brent’s mouth pressed into a firm line. “I’m glad to hear that you’re staying focused on your studies, but that doesn’t mean you haven’t put your academic career at great risk. What the hell were you thinking going to a club like that alone?”
I blinked up at him. “I wasn’t alone.”
My advisor’s expression went thunderous. “Who were you with?”
I swallowed hard, choosing my words carefully. “My boyfriend.”
Redness crept up Brent’s throat. “And that would be?”
“Knox Gallagher.”
The redness intensified as Brent’s jaw worked back and forth. “Mr. Gallagher and his roommates are bad news. I thought you were taking your academic career seriously. That you wanted to be a doctor.”
“I do. I am. I’ve submitted all my missed assignments and rescheduled any tests and quizzes I need to make up.”
The professor’s expression softened, and he dropped a hand to my leg. He made it seem like he was aiming for my knee, but it was too high for that. My stomach roiled and pitched as he squeezed my leg.
“I’m glad to hear it, Hayden. We’ll just have to stick together to make sure you achieve those dreams.”