Page 121 of The Jack*ss in Class

Across the café, Gryff and Isak had stationed themselves strategically at separate tables, pretending to study while actually keeping watch. Somehow, in the space of a few days, I’d acquired a security detail consisting of half the DSU football team and the entire KAT senior class.

“Okay, crisis management time,” Bettie said, slipping into her chapter president mode. She pulled out a color-coded planner. “First issue, classes. You’ve got Shakespeare tomorrow with Professor Whitmore, then marketing, and your senior thesis meeting on Thursday.”

I groaned, sinking lower in my seat. “I can’t show up to Shakespeare. Professor Whitmore is likely having a cow over all of this. One of those really cute highland cows with the fluffy bangs.”

“You mean the same Professor Whitmore, who emailed the dean to say, and I quote, ‘I’m delighted to discover we have a commercially successful author in our midst,’” Bettie said, reading from her phone.

I blinked. “He what?”

“You’re good for the English department,” Parker explained. “Published authors equal prestige. They’re capitalizing on your success faster than you can say ‘liberal arts alumni fundraiser.’”

A large orange tabby cat chose that moment to leap onto our table, knocking over Hannah’s empty cup before settling directly in front of me with regal indifference.

“See? Catticus Finch, Attorney at Paw recognizesliterary royalty,” Flynn said, scratching the cat behind its ears.

Despite everything, I laughed. “My disguise isn’t fooling anyone, is it?”

“Not even the cats,” Parker confirmed cheerfully. “But we’ve got a plan. Operation Author Protection Squad is a go.”

Parker did love a plan with a secret code name.

“Please tell me that’s not what you’re actually calling it,” I said, already knowing the answer from the matching gleams in my sisters’ eyes.

“APS for short,” Alice replied. “We’ve mapped out routes to all your classes that avoid high-traffic areas. Thanks to your captain of the football team boyfriend, next year’s captains of all the major sports on campus have volunteered as escort bodyguards, two per journey, rotating schedule.”

I glanced up at Flynn, who gave me one of those confident I-got-you-boo chin bobs.

“I’ve drafted a statement for you to send professors,” Bettie continued, sliding a printed paper across the table. “Brief, professional, acknowledging the situation while requesting privacy during this transition. The dean’s office has already confirmed they’ll support whatever accommodations you need.”

I stared at them, warmth blooming in my chest. “You guys did all this for me?”

“Of course we did,” Hannah said like it was the most obvious thing in the world. “That’s what sisters do.”

“Besides,” Parker added, “this is the most exciting thing to happen at KAT since Jessica dated that guyfrom the band that got sort of famous for like three months.”

“And the KAT alumni network has activated,” Bettie added. “Maria Jimenez, who graduated the year before we pledged, works for a crisis PR firm in New York. She’s offering pro bono consultation calls whenever you’re ready.”

“I don’t know what to say,” I managed, looking around at their determined faces. “Thank you doesn’t seem like enough.”

“You can thank us by signing our copies of your books,” Hannah said, grinning. “We’ve all been reading them since the first book came out. Bettie just finished book three last night and cried for an hour.”

“I did not cry for an hour,” Bettie protested. “Forty-five minutes, tops.”

Everyone laughed, and I felt something tight in my chest begin to loosen. This was what I’d been afraid of losing, this easy camaraderie, this unconditional acceptance.

“What about your family?” Alice asked gently. “How did your meet-up with them go?”

I exchanged a look with Flynn, who ran his hand down my back, giving me just that smidge of comfort I needed.

“Better than I expected, in some ways. Worse in others.” I wrapped my hands around my coffee mug, drawing strength from its warmth. “My mom is... still processing. Her way of saying she’s disappointed but not ready to disown me completely. Which is an improvement.”

“She’ll come around,” Flynn said with more confidence than I felt. “Your dad knows what’s up and he’ll convince her. I’m sure.”

“Papá’s actually been texting me,” I admitted. “And Freddie is already campaigning to be a character in my next book,” I added with a small smile. “Ophelia too. Rosalind and Catalina are still firmly in Mom’s camp, though.”

“What about Abuela?” Parker asked.

I groaned but with a smile. “She actually called her agent to see about getting cast in the series.”

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