Page 88

I stand awkwardly, weighed down by guilt under her scrutinizing stare.

A devious smile plays on her lips. “I don’t know why the two of you are so surprised to see me. I’m a student at Kinsmen. You knew I always had plans to go here.”

I stare at her, completely dumbfounded, and my palms start to sweat. She sways to the side, and my eyes rake down her slender body—taking in the hug of her jeans, the curve of her breasts, her smoky eyes and dark hair.

I’m screwed.

I always thought Didi was the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen. Now I’m certain she is. She has confidence I always knew was there and hatred in her eyes I wish she didn’t have.

Talia believes I murdered her. Remy’s the only one who knows the truth, and we made a pact. Honestly, this is the absolute worst possible situation.

I try to play it cool. “The semester started months ago. How did I not know you were back?”

“I guess you weren’t looking very hard,” she says, and all the pain comes flooding back.

I had mourned her. This ain’t right. I run my hand through my hair, my heart skipping every other beat. Was she here the entire time? And if so, then who the hell was in that well?

The whiz of people circle us, and Bax stands beside me, awkwardly staring at her. I wish he wouldn’t look at her like that. “Beat it for a second, Bax.”

He nods, understanding the importance of this moment, and buggers off, leaving me alone with her. Didi and I stare at each other for a few seconds. Neither of us says anything until finally, I break the silence, grabbing her hands.

“Didi…I can explain.”

She yanks her hand away, and I stare down at her. There’s a blaze in her eyes I’ve never seen before. “I…I go by Rose now,” she hisses.

She’s still wobbly and almost falls again. I reach out and steady her as she stumbles toward me, grabbing my waist to keep her roller skates from sliding out from under her.

“Nah,” I whisper, savoring her in my arms. “You’ll always be Didi to me.”

She softens…almost. Time seems to still as she turns to look at me with the hurt and pain pouring out of her. I release her just as Talia and Remy skate up to us.

“Who’s your friend, Tommy?” Talia asks, skating around Didi like the apex predator she is.

“No one. I just bumped into her.”

I lock eyes with Remy for a moment before he shifts his attention to Didi. The two of them watch each other as he assesses the situation. If he recognizes her, he doesn’t say anything.

Talia’s eyes gleam as she stares down at the spot on Didi’s hip where my hand was.

“She looks like someone to me.”

Remy crosses his arms. His dark hair falls into his face, and I see the exact moment recognition hits him.

Something passes between them. I don’t know the depths of what those two have together. I’ve never even seen them interact, but the intensity between the two of them is so strong, I can taste it. And seeing it hurts my soul.

Didi looks awkward as Talia skates in front of her. “I’m Talia, Tommy’s girlfriend, and you are?”

Didi’s eyes dart to mine, remnants of the shy girl I loved. “I’m Rose.”

My insides sink as Talia darts her eyes to me and arches her brows. “Rose,” Talia repeats, elongating her name, amusement playing in her eyes. “You have strange eyes, Rose.”

I’m a dead man.

I wrap my arm around Talia and pull her close. “Come on, babe. Let’s get outta here.”

“Sure. Let’s get outta here.”

I wish I knew what Talia was thinking.