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Chapter 2
Raina
When I get back to my dorm, it’s empty. Thank God. I don’t want to deal with Lacey and her invasive questions right now. My head is spinning with the test questions and answers.
I sit up and pull the test out of my backpack along with the book. I want to check my answers and see how I did. I could score myself while I figure out how to get in the system and see if I’m on par with the syllabus. That will keep me on my toes while I make my next move.
A knock sounds on my door, and I groan. When I get up to open it, it’s my dad.
Fuck.
“What do you want?” I scowl. “You’re not supposed to be back here. It’s against the rules.”
“Then let’s go to the communal area and talk,” he says.
I don’t smell alcohol on his breath. It’s the only reason I agree to go with him at all. Being seen with him is already a risk; the last thing I need is for him to make a scene—or worse—because after years and years of drinking he still can’t hold his liquor.
While we walk, I try to figure out what he wants.
I ran away from home almost a month ago. He found me here. I still don’t know how he did it. When he came to my room the first time, I thought he was going to grab me by the hair and drag me back home, kicking and screaming. I gave him all the cash I had on me—cash I needed for other things—just to leave me the fuck alone.
And now, the bastard is back.
“So, what do you want?” I ask in a cold voice when we sit down on the couches arranged in an intimate circle in the communal area. I glance around; there are a few other students visiting with friends or their families.
I don’t want a scene. I want my dad to be civil or, better yet, to fuck off.
I thought when he walked away with the cash he would leave me alone. He didn’t cause trouble then.
“Money,” he says bluntly.
I gasp and quickly glance around, seeing if anyone heard. “And what makes you think I have any?”
I know what the answer is before he says it. I gave him money the last time.
“I don’t have any more money for you.”
“That sounds a lot likenot my problem,” Dad sneers.
I hate it when he’s like this. He’s sober but still nasty. The combo is almost more deadly than when he’s wasted out of his brackets and looking to break my bones. This goes a hell of a lot deeper. When he’s like this, his words hurt, not his fists.
“I can’t help you,” I say tightly. “You came all this way for nothing.”
“Either you’re going to give me money, or everyone will know.”
“Know what?” I ask, but I know what he’s saying.
He grins at me, and we’re both talking about the same thing.
“I’ll give you some time to figure it out but not too long. And when I come back, you better have something for me. Or else, I’ll go straight to the dean. I don’t think you can afford that, can you?”
I don’t try to convince him it won’t work. He knows I can’t afford to be enrolled here. He knows I’ve cheated my way in, and he’s going to take it away from me unless he gets what he wants.
I groan, and his grin spreads.
“That’s my girl,” he says, patting my knee.
“I’mnotyour girl,” I say, pushing his hand away. “As far as I’m concerned, you’re dead to me. Mom was the only family I had left.”
