Page 104 of Dream a Little Dream

“You’re good at that.”

Aaron gulped awaythatmemory.

“Do you remember how you felt when your mother was proud of you?” Drew reached behind him again, searching for something, then turned back, eyebrows raised. “Didn’t you feel cherished?”

The blood drained from Aaron’s face.

“She loved you,” Drew said. “I can see it in you, how much of her you carry with you. And now, Aaron, you’re old enough to make your own choices. To follow the path she paved for you. The one she laid out so lovingly.”

Aaron forced himself to speak, each word like glass. “What path is that?”

Drew’s eyes gleamed with twisted delight. “The one that makes you untouchable, where society’s rules no longer matter to you. The path that allows you to rise above them.”

Drew stood, hovering his hand over Aaron’s shoulder, and Aaron felt like he was standing at the edge of a cliff. Every instinct screamed at him to back away, to leave, to get as far from Drew as he could. But something also kept him there. Grounded. Tethered to someone who knew where he came from. Welcoming him home with open arms and not throwing him out with careless words.

“Tonight, come to the church and we’ll rediscover that part of you. The part that’s been waiting all these years to be set free.”

Aaron forced himself to stand, legs shaky beneath him as he grabbed his bag, trying to make a beeline for the door. Drew’s voice stopped him, lingering in the air like smoke.

“You’re the man of the family now.”

Despite his thundering heart, Aaron plastered on a tight, defiant smile, forcing himself to open the door and walk out. Hislegs like jelly, he kept his pace, even as Drew’s eyes followed him, burning holes in his back.

He turned a corner in the hallway and caught his breath, barely processing the noise from the student coffee shop nearby. A voice snapped him back to reality.

“Hey, sexy!” Taylor appeared beside him, pecking a kiss to his cheek, along with Mel grinning with delight at how she’d become a sort of matchmaker between them. “Did your counselling session leave you ready for the Halloween party tonight?”

Aaron’s mind spun, thoughts darting in every direction. “Not exactly.”

“We’re still going, though, right?” Mel bounced on her toes, tugging on Aaron’s arm. “I’ve got my outfit, and Lottie says she’ll be there. I know you’re still upset about the whole police questioning you thing, but let’s forget about it for tonight. Go out. Have some fun!”

“Course he’s coming.” Taylor slipped his arm along Aaron’s shoulders. “I need to see this man in the all-leather vampire costume I bought him last minute.”

Mel squeed.

Aaron glanced around the campus, pulse spiking. “I need to catch up with my professor first.”

“Dr Lyons?” Mel furrowed her brow. “What for?”

“He…uh…gave me a shit grade on my last assignment.”

“Did he? Thought you did all right. Gave me a first.” Mel grinned.

“I’ll catch you guys later.”

Before either Taylor or Mel could respond, Aaron took off, pushing through the campus doors and bolting across the lawn, ignoring theKeep Off The Grasssigns. He sprinted through the crowd, past curious stares, until he reached the Psychology faculty building. He didn’t pause, charging up three flights ofstairs and into the administrative office. His chest heaved, and he rapped his knuckles on Kenny’s office door.

“Excuse me!” Gail, the department secretary, rushed up behind him. “Can I help you?”

“I need to see Dr Lyons.”

Gail frowned. “He’s gone for the day.” She prodded the note pinned to the door. “Can’t you read? Won’t be back until next week. If you want to book a one-to-one with him, you can find his available dates on the system and add your name.”

“Fuck!” Aaron yelled into the air.

“I beg your pardon. We won’t stand for that language here.”

Aaron clenched his fists, the rules of society once again applying to him.

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