Page 21 of Redeemed

“Shit,” Xander whispers. “She’s pretty.”

She is—breathtakingly so. But my focus quickly switches to the guy she’s leaning into.

“Is that Colton Heverly?” I ask.

“Think so.”

Colton is one of the kids we graduated high school with. We ran in completely different crowds—me with the football team, Xander with the band kids and stoners, and Colton with the uppity academic types. When he graduated valedictorian, there were whisperings that he only got it because of who his father is, but I disagree. I may not know the kid, but I know his reputation. He’s wicked smart.

“Well, it looks like she’s safe,” Xander says hesitantly.

“I guess we can go, then.”

Neither of us move.

“We should probably check on her every once in a while,” Xander murmurs. “You know, to make sure she’s okay.”

“Not because she’s pretty?” I ask with a teasing smirk.

His eyes snap to mine, a worried expression on his face. “I—”

“It’s all right.” I kiss him lightly. “I’m right there with you. She’s gorgeous.”

Except for me, it’s not just how pretty she is. I’ve seen Colton be incredibly kind to people, but also horrible to those he thought deserved it. If she looked like she could handle him on her own, I’d let it go, but there’s something entirely too innocent about the way she’s staring up at Colton.

She’s got no idea who he is, or what he’s capable of. Someone as sweet-looking as her needs to be protected from his dark side.

“Maybe we can swing by tomorrow?” I ask.

“I think that’d be good.”

With a nod, I turn away, and Xander reluctantly follows. We start making our way toward the diner again, and when he glances back one last time, I snicker.

“I wasn’t trying to make you jealous,” Xander says.

Slipping an arm around his shoulders, I kiss the top of his head. “I’m not.”

This isn’t anything new for us. We’ve shared girls before, although never more than once. We didn’t want anyone to get between us. Besides, finding someone who’d be understanding long-term of the different ways we’re both fucked up would’ve been too hard.

“You mess around with your roommate, though, and Iwillkill him,” I add. “And I’m not fucking joking.”

He doesn’t say anything—just smiles.

“What?”

“I like when you get possessive of me, that’s all. It’s cute.”

“Cute? I amnotcute.”

He slaps my ass. “I beg to differ. Now hurry up. Scaring the shit out of that guy only made me hungrier.”

Haven

Juliestopsbyinthe morning with a flat, rectangular device she calls a tablet, a new phone similar to hers, and some other random things. She brings me breakfast, too, before rushing out the door and promising to teach me how to use the tablet later that day. I’m a little sad she can’t stay, but I would imagine this is a pretty busy time for her, considering she’s the director of admissions.

Just as I’m finishing my breakfast, the door opens, and a thin girl with light skin and dark green hair walks in. I find myself staring at her, unsure if I can trust what I’m seeing.

“Oh, hi!” The girl beams when she notices me. “I’m Athelia. I’m so glad you were able to make it here in time. When you didn’t show up yesterday, I was worried.”

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