True Colors (The Masks #1)(41)

I couldn’t figure out why Libby was so bogged down. School seemed a breeze for her. Working with her on this assignment showed me just how smart and capable she was. I knew working hard added to natural smarts, but I thought she was pushing it a little.

“I can’t believe how hard you work. You’re amazing. Your GPA must be so freaking high.” I was expecting her to grin at my compliment or at least blush, but she did neither.

A pained expression wafted over her face as she mumbled, “I just want to do well.”

My comment had closed her off completely. It didn’t take much to realize I’d hit a sore spot. To say it baffled me was an understatement. I was more confused than ever now. I glanced to Indie, but she was looking just as pale and forlorn as Libby.

I didn’t know how much longer I could keep up the charade that I didn’t care what was troubling them. But I didn’t have the guts to come out and say it. Not after we’d made such good ground this week. I wanted them to trust me, to relax around me.

“Well,” I licked my lips. “Let’s help you get another A+ then.” I winked, pretending that I hadn’t spotted her morose mood change.

Micah arrived a second later and saved the day. Everything seemed better with him around. It hadn’t taken Libby long to figure out that he was a nice guy. Indie already knew it, but it was nice to see her come out of her shell. She was so much more open when Liam wasn’t around, laughing at Micah’s jokes and joining in with our friendly banter. I loved this side of her and I wanted to see it bloom, something it couldn’t do under Liam’s reign.

I watched Indie’s boyfriend saunter into the library and stop at our table. His friendly smirk was in place, he looked calm and in control, but underneath he was frothing. He despised Micah...with a vehemence that nearly choked me.

I coughed and spluttered as Micah pounded me on the back. “You okay?”

Nodding, I covered my mouth to try and hide my horror. I didn’t like reading Liam. He was hell scary.

Clearing the last tickle out of my throat, I sat back with a smile, hoping nobody could tell how forced it was. Liam was chuckling at me, but I didn’t see that. I was too busy reading the insidious glint in his eye as he stroked Indie’s hair. His very touch brought her into line. She was internally squirming, wanting to pull away from it, but knowing she couldn’t.

“So, how’s it going guys?” His voice was friendly and charming, but I knew better. His congenial blue gaze landed on Libby and she quaked beneath it. Her lips quivered as she smiled back and told him what we were up to. A few weeks ago she would have been bubbling with enthusiasm. Having Liam Donovan acknowledge her would have made her day, but not today. In fact she was doing a super crap job of hiding it. Micah could even tell. I noticed his eyebrows dip slightly.

“Well, thanks for helping my girl, but I’ve got to steal her away now.”

I used to swoon. Now I just wanted to be sick.

Indie collected her stuff and Liam took her bag, smiling tenderly at her as he ran his hand down her back. At least that’s what everyone else saw. All I witnessed was a stern look and eyes that told Indie she was in for a punishing.

I jerked out of my seat, grabbing my stuff. “Sorry guys, I gotta split. I didn’t realize the time.”

Micah looked skeptical as he nodded. It was a relief to hear him ask Libby if she wanted to stick around for another ten and at least finish off their discussion. She said yes and I left them to it, hoping I’d spot which direction Liam took Indie.

I was scared for her. It might have been an overreaction, but I saw it. It was written all over his face. She was in trouble.

Panic sizzled through my system as I walked outside and headed down the open hallway. I didn’t know what I was going to do. Would I seriously have the guts to help her if he tried to do something? Who did I think I was? But I couldn’t just ignore this. I spotted a flash of dark red hair on the grass below and raced for the stairs. When I reached the grassy quad I couldn’t see them and I felt my spirits deflate as I once again cursed my ability to see all this stuff.

Ignorance was bliss. I knew that for a fact now.

I kicked a stone and headed to my next class not expecting to see Indie again until the morning. But on my way, my ears snaffled a voice that would have been familiar had it not been so terse.

“I told you to keep away from her.”

“It wasn’t my choice we were put in a group together. Mrs Mac—"

“Mrs. Mackerly’s an idiot. She can be talked into doing anything. You should have asked for a different group.” I poked my head around the edge of the building and spotted Liam. He was standing over a cowering Indie, his hands on his hips as he reprimanded her like a little kid. “You should know better, Indie. I’m relying on you.”

“I’m not doing anything to let you down.” Her voice was submissive and small, her head bowed as she spoke to him. “This study group could be a really good thing. I can keep an eye on her.”

Were they talking about me?

“I just know how useless you are at keeping your mouth shut. I’m trying to run a business here, Indie. I can’t have people poking into my past.”

She flinched and touched her stomach. She looked ready to cry and I wasn’t even reading her.

“She’s apologized for prying. She said she didn’t mean to and she hasn’t been asking any more questions. I don’t think she’s a threat.”