Mad Boys (Blue Ivy Prep, #2)(99)
“She killed herself, you son of a bitch. She killed herself because of what you did. Then you covered it up with your family’s money just like you do everything. Now you want to add Ace to your little list of conquests?”
She killed herself.
Those words played on an endless loop long after the cops finished, following a brief questioning. They had way more questions for Lachlan. Questions I kind of wanted answered too. After the police walked RJ out to a black and white car in handcuffs, dozens of students were out there with their phones in hand.
For once, the viral video from campus wouldn’t be me. Or at least, it wouldn’t only be me. The administration showed up, along with their attorneys. It was a scandal. The rumor mill lit up so fast there was no mistaking the speed because I had a message from Aubrey before I even made it back to the dorm room.
Aubrey
WTAF?
Yvette
What happened?
Jonas was on the path of leaving the dorm when I got there. He swept his gaze over me from head to toe. Ramsey was a half-step behind him, looking considerably angrier.
“I’m fine,” I told them. “I just need to go upstairs, and I need a shower and…”
To forget. That poor girl.
I didn’t think I’d ever forget it.
“Go,” Ramsey told me, his gaze moving behind me. “There will be press on campus soon. Stay out of sight. I’ll make sure they fuck off.”
I really didn’t care about the press right now. While I hadn’t been that cold when I went out, I was freezing now. Awareness of Jonas following me up the stairs helped chase some of the unsettling feelings away.
Payton was standing in the hallway when I got up there. Her smirk held so much venom I wanted to punch her.
“Don’t look so happy,” I told her as I got to the door of the suite Jonas and I were sharing.
“I guess being a whore is something you’re used to,” Payton countered.
“You’re projecting,” I said, pushing the door in. “And I wasn’t the one who got arrested.”
Her whole expression shifted. “What?” Except Jonas stopped her from coming any closer.
“Go away,” he told her. “Now.”
“Don’t talk to me like that.” She darted a look at me. “Who got arrested?”
I didn’t answer, just went straight to my room. Jonas’ soft knock on my open door pulled me around as I toed off my shoes. “I need to shower,” I told him. “And I need to think.”
He nodded. “I’ll be out here.”
Before he turned away completely, I blew out a breath. “Jonas?”
He looked at me again.
“Thank you.”
One nod. “Do you want food?”
“No,” I said. Even if I should eat, I was pretty sure I’d puke. If it weren’t late, with cops everywhere, I’d just put on my running clothes and run until all the thoughts melted away.
I might still do it.
It wasn’t until I’d chased away the chills and let the tears streak down my face in the safety of the shower that I answered the girls.
Me
I’m fine.
Filling them in took a little longer, and I stood in the hot and steamy bathroom while I told them everything.
Aubrey
Forrest and I are coming back to campus now.
Yvette
Holy shit.
Aubrey
Forrest said he’d heard rumors but no one had proof.
Yvette
He HEARD rumors???????? WTAF??? Why didn’t he tell us when that asshole was trying to date K?
The fact I could practically hear Yvette’s shrieking fury pulled a smile from me.
Me
I’m okay. Jonas is here. I’m safe in the room. Just gonna try to sleep. Tomorrow is the dance.
They didn’t answer immediately, but I could imagine their faces. For once, I was glad they weren’t here to see how my hand was shaking.
Me
Before you ask. I want to go. This—I need this shit out of my head.
I didn’t think there was enough brain bleach on the planet for it. Honestly, I’d rather have seen more dick pics from Johnny or something than this.
She killed herself.
It wasn’t just the words, but the agony in Lachlan’s voice when he said it.
I promised to check in with them, and Aubrey said she’d text as soon as she was back on campus. When I made it back out to the sitting room, Jonas had coffee waiting, and pizza, and there was Love is Blind cued up on the television.
Bewildered and more than a little touched, I blinked at him.
“You don’t have to tell me,” he said.
“But you heard.” It wasn’t a question. At his nod, I said, “I hit Lachlan.”
“Good.”
At that a flicker of a smile chased across my lips. “About tomorrow…”
“You don’t have to go.” He waited for me to curl up into my spot on the sofa to pass me the blanket. He’d already cleaned up the work I’d had spread out earlier and it was stacked neatly.