Twisted Lies by Nora Cobb

 

Chapter 35

Astrid

 

Prof. Harmon dismisses class early, and as the other students are filing out, she grins at me. I never did tell her about my date with Bryce, except that it didn’t live up to any expectations. She laughed at my assessment. I didn’t dare mention the money hidden safely in my English Lit textbook in my room. I prefer my tablet instead.

 

“Astrid, I’ll walk with you.” Justin catches up as I walk through the bustling hallway. He’s been taking every opportunity there is to be seen with me. I forgive him for showing off.

 

“Hold up.” Pierce comes strutting after us before we reach the door downstairs. He practically runs over a kid who doesn’t move out of the way fast enough. I scowl, hating that Pierce is ruining my time with Justin. I had planned to make out with Justin in the stairwell between classes. It will have to wait.

 

“Astrid, we need to talk,” Pierce says, holding the door open.

 

My wide eyes don’t conceal my surprise or disgust. Justin is the only one to speak to me after that disastrous meeting of the Investors Club. Curiosity screws my life up every time, but I still bend to it. I slow my steps as we walk down the stairs next to one another as Justin follows behind.

 

“You’re back on the roster,” Pierce announces his news as if I should scream with delight. “This Saturday, you fight.”

 

I wince, and when we reach the ground floor, I step away from the busy door. “I’m not interested,” I tell Pierce coldly, “I’m not interested in fighting anymore.”

 

“Astrid shouldn’t fight,” Justin interrupts, looking nervous and wary, “She shouldn’t fight anymore. Stonehaven doesn’t fight in the Pit.”

 

Pierce glowers at Justin. “Repeat it a little louder, ass for brains.”

 

I step in between them as Justin pokes out his lip, and Pierce cracks his knuckles. “No need to turn ugly because I’m not doing it.” I face Pierce. “I’m a member of the club and should have worthwhile tasks to perform. So, I’m going to manage the girls.”

 

Pierce’s gaze flickers over my head and connects with Justin. Silently, the look they share conveys agreement, but I don’t have any idea on what. “No,” says Pierce, “You can’t run the talent.”

 

“Says who? You?” My eyes narrow as I challenge him. “You have no clue how to match the female fighters in a fair fight.” I lower my voice. “All you care about is boobs bouncing. Your words…not mine.”

 

“No, we’ll find something else for you to do,” he replies, glancing at Justin.

 

“I’m a part of this club,” I argue, “Why are you deciding what I can do?”

 

Pierce stares me down with unfeeling eyes as he clenches and unclenches his fists. I’m not backing down and tilt my chin up, daring him to do something rash and stupid. I wonder if I should push his buttons—hint at what I know about his past. Gillian wasn’t exaggerating about the incident. I found several news articles online about a Stonehaven teacher fired for misconduct against a minor.

 

No. It’s better to keep that little secret under wraps for when I really need it.

 

“Astrid could set up the roster for all the fighters on Sundays,” suggests Justin, “And you can continue to set it up for Friday and Saturday nights. That will work.”

 

Pierce’s expression softens as he considers the suggestion. His lips curl into that smile that never reaches his eyes. “Okay, that sounds like a workable solution. We’ll try you out. And if you mess up, it won’t matter. The turnout is trivial on Sunday.”

 

Before I can tell Pierce to bend over, so I can kick his ass, he flounces off down the path. His feet look as if they are barely touching the pavement, and I wonder what Justin has gotten me into.

 

I sigh.

 

“It’s a good opportunity, Astrid,” replies Justin, “You can show them what you know and what you can do.”

 

I feel betrayed but won’t say that to Justin. If he hadn’t jumped in, I might’ve gotten all three nights. He smiles softly, as if I should wrap my arms around his neck and thank him with a sweet kiss. But I have no desire to make out with him now.

 

“I have to get to class,” I tell him, walking away, “I don’t want to be late.”

 

Footsteps quickly approach, and Justin yanks my left arm. “What’s wrong?’ he asks hotly. “I thought you would want that.”

 

“Look, I appreciate you stepping in, but I could’ve gotten more out of him if you hadn’t.”

 

Justin shakes his head. “Pierce wasn’t going to bow down to you, Astrid.”

 

“Why not?” My voice has a definite tone. “Why shouldn’t he?” I nearly shout.

 

Justin blinks his eyes as if he sees something in me that he doesn’t like. I guess the sassy backtalk is appealing when it’s not directed at him. I take in a deep breath and brace myself to apologize. I still need Justin in many ways.

 

“I’m sorry,” I snap and then force the tone out of my voice. “It makes no sense to me that Pierce and Bryce run the club when they do the least.”

 

Justin glances around to make sure no one is near as we walk along the path. We move away from the classrooms and toward the admin buildings. He stops when we reach the crossroad where the brick paths meet. From where we stand, no one can sneak up on us.

 

“Astrid, the Investors Club is a sham,” he whispers, “Once, it was legit, and students invested a few dollars on the stock market, but the money we made was laughable. The real money is in start-ups, so we started a gambling enterprise.”

 

“We?” I ask softly.

 

“The club is a cover for the Pit,” he replies, “But you must have figured that out. Without the Pit, there would be no club.

 

I hold up my index finger to stop the nonsense he’s spouting. “Even I knew about the Pit. I’ve known it was around since I was in middle school,” I tell him. “Maybe before that. You guys just make money off us.”

 

“Us?” he asks, arching a brow slightly, “Astrid, you keep forgetting you are us.” He places a firm hand on my shoulder. “Bryce and Pierce invested a lot of money into the Pit. Do you really think the money from admissions and drinks pays for the fights?”

 

“But when I asked about it at the club, y’all got funny.” My eyes widen. “Does Getz know everything?”

 

Justin stares over my head, carefully avoiding my questioning gaze. “It was a hypothetical school project. A sport that would pay its investors a huge profit.” Justin scoffs. “And then Bryce discovered the Pit one night, and the school project turned real.”

 

Suddenly, Justin takes his hand off my shoulder, and I turn to see why. The front steps of Foxworth House are visible from where we are standing, and Dr. Rawlins is on the steps, motioning for Justin to come. I’m about to make a rude comment, but my tongue sticks in my mouth when Justin’s skin turns pale.

 

A man takes a step toward Dr. Rawlins, and he looks very much like Justin. A lot older, a bit heavier, but the same hair, except shorter. The man’s broad smile is blinding as charisma radiates off him. He smiles at Justin, holding up his hand, and I finally recognize that face from the news feed. It’s his father, Governor Ted Leister. Why is he at Stonehaven?

 

“Should I walk with you?” I ask quietly.

 

Justin glares at me as if I have no common sense. “Aren’t you going to be late for class?” he says before walking away.