Twisted Lies by Nora Cobb
Chapter 20
Astrid
As I walk to the library, I try Nova’s cell again, but she isn’t picking up. The expensive furniture that Bryce had thrown out behind the Pit is no longer in the dumpsters. What a waste to toss it, so I’m not surprised someone hauled it off. It’s probably decorating someone’s apartment now, and they could give a fuck what happened on it. I wonder if Nova claimed it.
But there’s something else going on at the Pit. Attendance is down, but only someone who knows what full capacity looked like would notice it. And the boys have noticed, according to Teeny. They asked him if he was turning people away. He laughed in their faces.
I scowl at Pierce and Bryce as they walk behind me down the path. For a moment, I consider hauling ass to get inside the library. The electric doors slide open, admitting another student. I pick up speed, but unless I plan on running like a madwoman to the door, their long legs are going to catch me. I don’t care and start off like I’m sprinting for the finish line.
Pierce steps behind me as the doors open while Bryce grips my elbow. A photo on social is the last thing I want Charlotte to see, so I calm my nerves and walk alongside them. From her desk, the librarian polices the quiet building as if it’s a personal insult to whisper in here. The boys guide me like an unsteady toddler through the room toward a study table in the back. The librarian can only cast dirty looks from where she’s seated.
“What do you want?” I demand, pulling my tablet out of my bag. I might as well make good use of my time.
“We’re holding an emergency meeting of the Investors Club,” replies Pierce, not bothering to pretend to study, unlike Bryce, who pulls a paperback out of his bag. He flips through the corner of the pages, pretending to find a page.
“So what’s going on?” Pierce asks tightly.
My tone is flippant. “I’m studying, but I guess you don’t need to.” They won’t wind me up. He casts a nasty look over me, but my expression remains neutral.
“Where are your little friends?” he continues interrogating me. “Derick didn’t show up last weekend. Grinder had to introduce the fighters, and he has no talent for that.”
I shrug as my gaze stays on my tablet. “Derick isn’t paid to show up. None of them are. Maybe they decided to stay home and study.”
Pierce scoffs. “They’d have to learn how to read first.” He ignores my evil eye. “So, where are they going?”
I shrug, “I don’t know. I don’t hang with that crowd anymore. How do you still not realize that even though I’m sitting next to you?”
Pierce pulls his chair closer to mine, and I move my knees away. His hand reaches under the table and grabs my knee. Pierce doesn’t react when I place my hand on his, digging my nails into his flesh. Pierce is ignoring me as he stares at Bryce, and a filthy grin turns his lips.
Bryce watches Pierce’s hand grip my knee tighter. The tips of Bryce’s ears turn red, but he says nothing. Pierce keeps his gaze on Bryce, and his breathing picks up. I could push his hand away, but I don’t. My gaze connects with Bryce, and he looks furious enough to hurt us.
I smile sweetly at Pierce and shove his hand off my leg. I return his dirty look with a dirtier one. What the hell happened in his life?
“You’re a part of our club,” Pierce says. “And you will find out what is happening.”
“I’m a member when it suits you,” I reply. “See it from the fighters’ perspective. Why show up if I can’t score a fight? And when do I get a cut of the profits? It’s not a charity drive. Pay me what you owe me, and maybe I’ll find out what you need to know.”
Pierce wraps his arm around the back of my chair. His fingers graze my shoulder, and I lean forward as I rethink filing a complaint. Why file one when I can tell my father?
“Pierce.” Bryce’s tone isn’t a warning but a challenge. Pierce lowers his hand, grazing my skirt again. With every touch, he baits Bryce. I’m just a game to Pierce, not the prize.
“Just do as I ask,” Pierce whispers loudly.
Pierce stands up and leaves the table without saying goodbye. He flashes a killer smile at the annoyed librarian before disappearing through the sliding doors.
Observing them interact is informative, but it’s not clear how I can use it for my gain. Hell will turn into a solid block of ice before I sleep with Pierce to get even with Bryce. I glance over at Bryce as he stares intently at his tablet and ignores me.
And why get even with Bryce? Because he’s been an asshole. He could calm Charlotte the fuck down if he wanted to. But if I spend my time getting even with every person who’s dissed me, I won’t have enough time to breathe. I start gathering up my stuff.
“Where are you going?” Bryce asks, pulling his chair close to mine.
“I thought I might follow him and see what he has to offer.”
Bryce stares hard into my eyes, and I wish I hadn’t spoken. “Don’t joke like that,” he says, “I don’t like it.”
I tilt my nose in the air like he can’t challenge me. “So, you can date the world, but I can’t look around? You’re off-limits, Bryce. Rawlins told me not to touch you.”
His eyes narrow. “What do you mean?”
“She made it clear that you are the property of Charlotte Howland,” I explain, “Someone will probably have taken a photo of us sitting together and sent it to Charlotte before I finish this sentence.”
Bryce glances around to see who’s watching us, but there aren’t that many people at the study table, and those who are don’t seem to care who we are. That’s how I want things to be.
“Let’s go upstairs so we can talk,” he says.
I scoff so loudly that we get a few looks. I cover my mouth with my hand as I swallow down my laughter. “To talk? We can talk here,” I reply, “Not that you have anything to say to me. Go talk to your girlfriend, Bryce.”
“Charlotte is not my girlfriend.”
“Stonehaven thinks she is.” I put my stuff away. “Look, it’s okay. You and I aren’t in the same league. You like the finer things in life while I have to make do. I’m not saying this to be insincere or for pity. I hate pity. I’m really fine with how the dice landed. So go off with her and make perfect babies.”
He glares at me while taking in what I’ve just said. “Let’s go and talk somewhere private.”
I shake my head. “Right here is good enough, and plus, we really have nothing to discuss.”
Bryce sits back in his chair and stares off into space. Obviously, he’s the one who says no. He doesn’t hear negative replies that often.
“Charlotte is not my girlfriend,” he explains, “True. People have linked us together since the first day we met on campus, but we aren’t an item. When you attend Stonehaven, you’re not only expected to achieve academically, but you’re also expected to make a good match. Whether you remain together after a year of marriage is another matter.” He sighs, looking at me. “I never had any interest in anyone, including Charlotte, until you showed up.”
“Touching,” I reply coolly, “But if you want to get more, you’re going to have to give more.”
Bryce nods thoughtfully. I start to read my tablet while the silence stretches into minutes. He startles me when he speaks again.
“You’re right,” he says, “How are you supposed to know how I feel about you when I do nothing to show it?” He turns to face me. “Will you go out with me?”
I stare at Bryce as if he’s poked me with a pin.
“A real date,” he explains. “Not that gross inn or the café downtown but a proper date—me in a suit, and you in a dress.”
“Rawlins would have a fit,” I reply, “Plus, you rich kids have a weird take on relationships.”
“Fuck Rawlins,” he whispers, “and this is about you and me. No one else matters.”
His voice carries, and we attract the attention we have avoided so far. Bryce gets up from the table and starts walking toward the doors. I watch him while he stands there waiting for me. The librarian doesn’t scowl at him for cursing in her temple of silence. She smiles sweetly, delighted that Bryce Shelton would stand near her. I grab my stuff, and we walk out together under the watchful glare of the librarian.
We walk along the path side by side. Anyone who cares about our private life can see us together, but for a wonderful moment, we don’t care. I glance over at Bryce, and fuck it, I allow my heart to melt a little for him. It’s hard to keep it ice cold when a guy that good-looking smiles at me. Sure, Bryce can be an asshole, but he’s got his shit together. He’s in control of his life while I’m figuring this one out. It’s not his looks that attract me; it’s the knowledge that he possesses. How he has it all figured out. His confidence is what attracts me.
Bryce looks at me and smiles. And I must’ve been staring. He takes my hand in his as we walk along, announcing to anyone who’s watching us that we’re not hiding. His name may be linked to Charlotte’s, but he’s mine. Or rather, I’m his.
“You’re right, Astrid,” he says. “Why hide how I feel?” He stops walking as we approach the crossroads. A little patch of ground where the walking paths intersect. Bryce turns toward me until I’m facing him, and he kisses me. It’s not a kiss full of heat. It’s gentle and sweet as his hands cup my cheeks. The kind of kiss that someone who really cares gives the person they love. Why can’t I have more? Why can’t I have love?
“Will you go out with me?” he asks again, not letting go of my face.
A little giggle escapes me when I whisper yes.
