Page 118 of Glutton for Punishment

It doesn’t go unnoticed that Brix also sits at the other end of the table, as far away from me as possible. I guess I still come with baggage.

Sighing, my eyes drift across the cafeteria to Atticus. He sits at his usual table near the windows, surrounded by the polished, beautiful elite of Pride, like usual.

Our eyes meet, and for one stupid heartbeat, it’s like last year all over again. Except this time… I smile. Small and tentative.

His expression softens as he smiles back. Not the polished public smile. The real one that does nothing to help the mean butterflies in my stomach.

Mine.

Of course, it doesn’t take long for Daphne to notice. Her hand lands on his forearm, and she leans in, saying something with a pout that makes me want to launch my spoon at her forehead.

Atticus’s entire face hardens. He pulls away from her, visibly irritated, then stands and moves several seats down the table to sit beside one of his male friends instead.

Sure, it’s petty of me, but warmth blooms in my chest, anyway.

Holly leans closer across the table. “So…” she whispers. “What’s your plan? Are you checking in on the other bonds today?”

My stomach drops at the thought. Last night I filled them in on everything—my bonds, the kidnapping, the torture, the family from Hell. Sly and Brix missed most of it.

Holly and Sly are still in a rocky place. I kept pestering her to talk about it last night until she finally threatened to punch me in the nose if I didn’t stop.

“I’m still not sure how to handle it,” I mutter. “It feels wrong sneaking around behind Maddox and Atticus when they aren’t aware of the situation. I need to tell them, eventually. All of them. I just…” My voice drops. “I already feel like enough of a problem.”

Cleo frowns. “You’re not a problem, Arwen. I thought we nipped this in the bud last year.”

I can’t help glancing at Brix, who just looks away and becomes fascinated by the table.

“Agreed,” Tabby says. “Don’t make us give you another giant group hug right here in the middle of the cafeteria, because we’ll do it.”

“Everything is just so messy.” I continue, forcing a lighter tone, “I mean, tracking down Maylo is impossible. He’s the one who finds me…”

“Nightmare fuel,” Holly mutters.

—I haven’t encountered Alexi yet, but I know he and Ryker were inseparable during half of last semester…

“And Professor Hot-and-Inappropriate?” Tabby asks wickedly.

I groan and drop my face into my hands. “Oh my universe, do not remind me.”

Holly cackles. “You really haven’t seen him since you climbed into his lap in pigtails?”

“I was drunk. And persuaded by some very terrible friends who encourage poor life choices, I might add,” I say, looking at them pointedly.

Tabby wipes fake tears from her eyes. “That memory sustains me.”

I point around the table.

“This is not friendship.”

“No,” Holly agrees. “This is family.”

I laugh despite myself. Standing, I grab my bags. “I might as well get this over with.”

They chorus good luck as I turn toward the doors, only to walk straight into Ryker. I stop so abruptly that my boots squeak. He grabs my shoulders to steady me, and every nearby conversation dims. Heads turn.

“No thank you,” I say, sidestepping him.

Ryker blinks. “What?”