Page 34 of Rockwell Academy: The Twist

A dark threatening voice rains on my parade and we stare in shock as Frankie glowers at Mason from my side.

“Excuse me.”

Mason is confused and I snap, “Meet my brother, Mason. I warned you about him.”

Frankie glares at Mason, who appears to shrink a little, and I shove Frankie hard and hiss, “Calm down, Frankie. It’s only pizza. What’s the matter with you?”

Frankie throws imaginary daggers at Mason and then hisses, “Fine. Pizza. Study. Call it what the fuck you like, but if you lay one hand on my sister, then you’ll regret it. Do you understand?”

Mason nods, too terrified to speak, and my heart sinks. Did he really fold that easily? Is there any fight in this guy at all?

I’m disappointed and somehow feel betrayed and as Frankie storms off, I say with regret.

“Listen, it was a nice idea, but I don’t want to cause you any trouble.”

“Hey.” Mason reaches out and rubs my arm comfortingly. “It’s pizza and my invitation still stands. Five o’clock at Willow Tree House. I’ll be waiting.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really. I’ll admit it took me by surprise a little, but well, it’s pizza after all. Nothing should come in the way of that.”

He glances at his phone. “I’ve got to dash. I’m late for training. I’ll catch you later, Summer.”

As I watch him go, I’m conflicted. Part of me wants this—him and the whole college love story experience. He’s in the team. Ripped like hell and obviously interested in me. Then why does another guy edge him aside and replace his position in my mind with the dark promise of more excitement than I could stand? A man who would stand up to my brother—his equal if you like.Someone who would take my reservations and set them on fire and take me to the gates of hell with no regard for my safety?

Why do I crave a man like that?

Now I know I’m fucked.

16

LUCA

Icatch him heading toward Willow Tree House at precisely four fifty-five, acting as if he hasn’t got a care in the world.

He glances up as I stand before him on the path, and his easy smile soon turns to a worried frown as I block his progress.

“Excuse me.”

He makes to pass, but I step to the side with him and he says pleasantly, “I’m sorry.”

“Not yet, I’m guessing, but you will be if you continue on with your journey.”

“My journey?”

I nod, throwing shade into my words.

“You have a choice. Enjoy life at Rockwell Academy as the star player of the team. Fulfilling your destiny to progress to the NFL while enjoying college life and all that goes with it, or losing everything you have ever dreamed of if you proceed to Willow Tree House to meet Summer.”

“Who are you, her brother’s henchman?”

His words roll off my soul as a mere irritation.

“I’m no man’s henchman, and who the fuck uses words like that in the real world?”

I shake my head. “I am merely another challenger in the game and I’m not averse to bending the rules to win.”

“You like Summer?” He raises his eyes. “Then if she likes you, there is no problem. We are merely study buddies.”

---