Page 87 of The Forbidden Note

“Or angry.” I recall the way her eyes singed me when she stormed past.

“It’s over now,” Dutch says. “She explained herself. Everything’s good. That should be the end of that.”

Given Harris’s foreboding words, I don’t think it is.

“Do any of you know why Grey started working at Redwood?” I ask absently.

Dutch gives me a strange look.

Sol shakes his head.

Finn points out, “You could ask her.”

“I’m sure she’ll tell me. Right after she admits she’s in love with me.”

Sol snorts.

I take out my drumsticks, twirling it around my fingers. It usually helps me think, but this time, it’s not doing anything but making me feel more restless.

Dutch jerks his head at the practice room. “Let’s finish our set.”

“Later.” I glance at my watch. “I’m late for class.”

Dutch stops me with a hand on my chest. “You sure that’s a good idea?”

“Why the hell not?” I grunt.

Finn smirks.

Sol tilts his head to the side. “Not being there just confirms you’re guilty.”

I glance at Finn. “What do you think?”

“It’s up to you.” He shrugs. “Of the three of us, you know her the best.”

I glance longingly at Miss Jamieson’s classroom and then turn in the opposite direction.

“I’m in the mood for a beer,” I mumble.

Dutch makes a disbelieving sound.

Finn sighs.

Sol pats me on the back. “Our little boy is growing up.”

I flip him off.

The three of them laugh.

For a moment, it feels like old times.

Before Dutch got himself a wife.

Before Sol tried to off himself.

Before dad went full psycho.

I wish I could stay here, in this moment, laughing with my brothers for an eternity. Or at least for a few more minutes.

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