Page 90 of The Silent Note

Sol looks amused. “What’s with everyone lately? Why do I suddenly feel like I’m the closest to being sane?”

Dutch sets his guitar aside. “I’m going to pick Cadey up from class.”

At once, the smile on Sol’s lips turns stiff.

“I’ll come with you,” I say. Glancing back, I nod to Sol. “Coming?”

“Nah. I’ll stay here for a bit and catch up on some studying. I have a make-up test for algebra.”

“Sounds fun.”

Sol ducks his head and pulls a textbook from his bag.

I walk out with Dutch.

Neither of us say a word as we walk to the other end of Redwood. I can tell he wants to lay into me about the Jinx comment, but I still have no freaking clue what I did wrong. Finn’s the one who acted all butt-hurt. His moodiness must be because of dad’s call. Should I tell Dutch about that?

Thankfully, I don’t have to decide because Dutch gets to Cadey’s locker. She’s standing there with her friend, Serena.

As usual, Serena’s dressed in a leather jacket and has on bright, red lipstick. Sometimes, I’d flirt with her. Make a comment about her lips or her jacket. Not because I actually cared but because she always acts so star-struck around us, even though she’s basically a family friend.

But I don’t say anything today.

Now that I’m a married man, I never will.

“‘Sup, Cadey,” I say grumpily when my sister-in-law hands her purse over to my twin and fits herself into his side.

“Hey.” She smiles.

Neither of us smile back.

“What’s going on?” Cadence asks, glancing between us. “There’s a weird vibe.”

Dutch just shakes his head.

I keep an eye out for Grey. She should be coming out of a classroom in this wing, but I don’t see her anywhere. Did she end her class early or is it going late?

I’m on the move when Cadey stops me. “Hey, Zane. You might want to stay away from Miss Jamieson right now.”

“Why? Did she say something?”

Damn. She didn’t already find out about Slavno, did she? The warden mentioned they were going to keep his death under wraps.

Cadey shakes her head. Glancing around, she lowers her voice. “People arereally madthat she reported Harris. I was one of five people in her Lit class this morning. I heard her other AP class was the same. People are walking out of her lectures. It’s a really big deal.”

Dutch looks concerned. “Redwood doesn’t like whistleblowers.”

Idiots.

“I’ll make sure I keep things professional in public. Don’t worry.” I nod. “Is she in class still?”

“I didn’t see her. We passed by during break, but her classroom was empty. I don’t think anyone showed.”

“Where could she be then?” I pull out my phone to text her.

“Um,” Serena squeaks, her eyes on my wedding ring, “I heard there’s a teacher’s meeting scheduled around now.”

We all stare at her.

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