Page 140 of Good Boys Don’t Bite

“Where are you?”

Silence. Then:

“Hi.”

“Don't.”

“What?”

“Claire just texted me.”

Another silence. Longer. Ronan felt his stomach drop.

“Okay.”

“You said you were with her.”

“No. I said she needed help.”

“Same fucking thing.”

“It isn't.”

“Where are you?”

“Campus.”

“I know.”

That got him.

“How?”

“Location.”

Silence. Ronan heard something in the background. Wind. Maybe traffic. Not library noise.

“You're checking my location now?”

“Yes.”

“Jesus Christ.”

“You lied.”

“I didn't lie.”

“Claire isn't with you.”

“I never said she was.”

“You said she called because she needed help with a research proposal.”

“She did.”

“Claire says she hasn't talked to you in two hours.”

Pause. Ronan's jaw tightened.