Page 99 of You + Me – Against the World

“But don’t worry,” Caleb continues, not remotely embarrassed. “I won’t ask you out as long as my dad thinks all this is thanks to him.”

“Oh, true, he tries to set you up with a new student every year.”

“No, with his favorite student. But he won’t succeed this time either, right…?”

I don’t know if he expects an answer. I use the late hour as an excuse and leave before another awkward silence falls over the room like a lead weight. Abrams Junior and Hitchcock, the old Basset Hound, watch me go with the same look on their faces: tired, sad, jaded, or maybe all three at once.

I hurry to Vadim’s place just to check if he’s there. When I spot the light in his window from the street, I feel relieved. But the feeling only lasts a split second… before I start wondering if he’s alone.

And if he’s finished his work for tonight, why didn’t he call me?

So I go up, knock, and hold my breath. Vadim doesn’t open the door for me, though: he cracks it barely two inches.

I try to stop myself from thinking about Cheyenne, right there behind him, either naked or getting there, or perhaps hiding somewhere trying to stay quiet. Holding her breath—the only thing we would have in common.

I’m going to kill her.

No, him first.

“Ah, it’s you, Koala. I’d let you in, but in about five seconds, you’re going to be pissed.”

“Oh yeah? Who do I kill first?” I intended my voice to be hard and sharp, but it comes out only just audible.

Vadim steps aside to let me in. I take a few slow, unsteady steps forward, my hand sliding along the wall to keep me from falling in case of shock.

“Alma Lancaster, it’s been a while! Come here, Frenchie!” Felix exclaims with wildly exaggerated enthusiasm, throwing his arms open.

I remain frozen to the spot, speechless.

“Well, don’t look too excited.” His arms fall to his sides and his brow furrows.

“I did say you wouldn’t be happy,” Vadim chimes in with a smirk.

I don’t break my silence.

“I know Keith doesn’t want us seeing each other, but damn it, he’s my best friend. Can you imagine if someone tried to stop you from seeing Clémentine?”

“By the way, how is my favorite redhead?” Felix asks smoothly.

I shoot him a glare.

“I’m not in jail. No one has the right to tell me who I can or cannot see,” Vadim says.

“Do you know what Keith is doing? He’s separating us so he can control us,” Fe insists.

“Divide and conquer—that’s the expression,” I reply, finally finding my words.

“Oh, you’ve found your voice, have you?”

“It’s just that Keith might have good reasons for doing this, right? It all ended pretty badly, last time…” I add, staring at Felix.

“No more messing around,” Vadim says, in an attempt to reassure me. “I go to college. I don’t skip any classes. I gave up the homework hustle. I clock in every day for that damn community service. I’m not going to screw up this time.”

“Still doesn’t change the fact that we’re both broke, man.”

“Stop relying on other people and find yourself a job, Alonso!” I shoot back, holding the slacker’s gaze.

“You know where you can shove your advice, Lancaster?”