Twisted Lies by Nora Cobb
Chapter 31
Astrid
I miss a few meetings of the Investors Club for track meets. But for my plan to become a reality, I need to be present and in the boys’ business. That means I must start going to club meetings. But instead of sitting in the office with the others, I wait in the upstairs hallway for Professor Getz to show up. His heavy leather bag looks like it’s about to dislocate his shoulder as he struggles with a stack of books in his arms. Without asking, I rush over and ease the bag off his shoulder and onto mine. Getz stops to stare at me like I shouldn’t have done that, or worse, like I want to steal it.
“You looked like you needed help,” I answer, his startled gaze.
Getz grins. “I did. I just wasn’t expecting it, and a pretty helper too.” He pauses. “Excuse me. I shouldn’t have said that. It wasn’t correct. Not in this era. I didn’t mean to be offensive.”
I cut off his rambling with a weak grin. “I didn’t think you were offensive.”
He pauses and studies me, not bothering to hide his curious gaze. The guys have probably been gossiping about me like I was raised by wolves. Now Getz is trying to reconcile the real me with the foul-mouthed bitch I’m supposed to be.
“Thank you, Astrid,” he mutters before shuffling off toward the stairs.
I walk into Getz’s office first and head straight for his desk, where Pierce has made himself too comfortable. His feet rest on Getz’s monthly calendar, and he’s tilted the chair back like he’s at the dentist. They all look too pleased with themselves, crowded into the tiny room. Bryce sits on the couch by Justin, who stares at me like a puppy hoping to leave the pound.
Surprisingly Wyatt is here and sits in a straight-backed chair, glaring at everyone in the room. I freeze, wondering why Wyatt is here. He’s not showed up before.
Pierce is about to say something at my expense, but it catches in his throat when he sees Getz walk in behind me. Wyatt jumps up and takes the stack of textbooks out of the older man’s arms. Pierce brushes past me, allowing his hand to linger on my hip. Stealthily, I stick out my foot, and Pierce stumbles, knocking Wyatt, who shoots him an evil glare.
With all the books stacked in shelves ceiling to floor, the old-fashioned modern furniture, and knickknacks that Getz has treasured his whole career, this room is too tight to fight in. I catch Wyatt’s gaze and shake my head. Wyatt pushes past Pierce, who eyes me with resentment that can’t be hidden.
There’s an empty seat by Justin and another next to Wyatt. When Pierce moves to sit next to Justin, Justin dumps his messenger bag down on the seat and looks at Pierce. Pierce glares at Justin and sits in the empty chair by Wyatt. I wait for Wyatt’s reaction. He turns, sees Pierce, and scowls at Justin before returning to his seat. As I walk past, Justin lifts his bag and dumps it on his lap.
“Astrid, you can sit next to me.” Justin smiles.
Bryce’s jaw twitches, but he refuses to take his gaze off his phone. I sit down next to Justin, and if Wyatt hadn’t been sitting opposite us, I would have flirted with Justin shamelessly.
“Now, are we ready to start?” asks Professor Getz, holding out his hands. We nod and murmur our agreement that it’s time to start. I now wonder why Getz sent me that email inviting me to join. There’s no way he could have known my connection to the Pit. But something made him ask me, or rather someone.
Justin stretches his arms up in the air and casually places one on the back of the couch. Pierce smirks at the corny-ass move as Wyatt glares.
Professor Getz drones on about a stock that is failing fantastically despite reforms in drug laws. “Obviously, there were too many hands in the pot. Pun intended.” Bryce scoffs, but no one comments. “That being said, it isn’t a ‘buy’ stock. And Bryce, any comments?”
He shakes his head and continues to stare at his phone.
“I have a question,” I speak up and pivot my body away from Justin’s. Professor Getz nods. “I want to ask about the running of the other club.”
The mood shifts from playful annoyance to something charged. I realize too late that my little maneuver may not have been as clever as I thought it would be. Bryce puts his phone away. Pierce folds his arms over his chest. Justin’s face pales slightly as he stares at me. And Wyatt—I was counting on him to back me, but he looks at me like I’ve lost all reason. I sit there squirming and wanting to fade away into the wall, but it won’t happen.
“What other club are you talking about, Astrid?” asks Professor Getz.
“She’s mistaken,” Bryce answers him coolly, “she has a homework question from class.”
“No, I don’t,” I answer hotly.
Bryce glares rudely as if he could break me into two, but Pierce answers me. “Yes, you do. If you have questions on your homework, we’ll answer them later.” The boys don’t get along, but they sure know how to close ranks to shut me down.
I sit back in the seat, making sure that I am nowhere near Justin’s arm as I fold my arms over my chest. The meeting continues, but instead of focusing on me, their attention is back on Getz, and frankly, it should have been there before. I’m not a part of this club. I’m not even sure why I’m in it. Other people have more reason to be here. Not me. I look down at my nails and run my finger over a rough edge. I listen to Professor Getz, but I refuse to look at the boys.
“Are we done for today?” Professor Getz looks around the small room, his eyes resting on me.
I nod. “Yes, thank you, Professor Getz.”
“Good,” he says, opening up a book and leaning back in his chair. He waits for us to file out. Justin knocks my shoulder with his, waiting for me to stand up and start filing out like sheep. But I stay put as Justin stands. Bryce exchanges a look with Pierce and then glances at Getz, who ignores all of us. Justin taps my shoulder again. His gaze pleads for me to get up, but I refuse. I’m not leaving this room with any of them.
Why should I? So they can get me alone in private and torment me? Right now, I don’t feel confident about any of them. I cross my legs and pull my tablet out of my bag. Wyatt hesitates in the doorway, but he looks so pissed I don’t want to deal. I’m not sure if he would even bother to cover my ass if they start up with me in the hallway.
“Professor Getz?” I ask. “May I stay and ask you that question about my homework?”
Professor Getz looks up, and a look of apparent relief washes over his face. “Yes, Astrid. Please stay. Boys, I will see you another day.”
The boys exchange glances before finally moving one by one out the door. Bryce is the last to leave. He casts an ominous look at me before glaring at Getz, and then he’s gone. That answered a lot. I knew they weren’t interested in me this time. They want Getz.
“So, Astrid, what is your question?”
I get up and shut the door. “How much money do you owe them?”
