Page 130 of Atone

“I don’t blame you. I’ve got to go anyway.”

Violet rolls her eyes. “Fine, but I’ll see you soon.”

“I can’t wait.” My attention moves to Patience. “And I’ll see you soon, just not as soon. Have fun with Violet away. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

Patience glances away to hide her reaction.

Something is definitely going on with her.

With a final goodbye, we end the call, and then it’s just me in the silence of Alex’s too-large bathroom. It’s half the size of my bedroom at the dorm, and the floor is heated. It’s over the top and absolutely ridiculous, but I love it.

Walking over to the bag I brought when I arrived earlier, I find the hoodie that matches my sweats and pull it over my T-shirt. It’s been so long since I’ve let myself be comfortable in clothes that I barely recognize myself when I glance in the mirror.

Tucking my hands into the pocket at the front, I settleinto the warmth. Into my bare thigh rubbing the fabric, when I’m used to wearing a knife.

I don’t need it here with Alex.

I’m safe for the first time in my life.

Scanning the counter, I lift the soap dish and breathe it in. It smells like oranges. Like Alex. My chest tightens, and even if he’s only been gone an hour, I miss him.

I set it back down and decide to distract myself by finding the kitchen. I could use water or a snack, and since there’s no party at Sigma House tonight, I don’t feel the need to hide.

I slip out of Alex’s room, and the hallway is quiet. But that’s not unusual for upstairs. When I reach the bottom, a few members linger around. They only give me a glance before looking away.

The same guys who used to flirt with me the second I walked through the door now avoid me. Either Alex said something, or they’ve seen us together enough to know better than to try anything.

I find my way to the kitchen, which is empty because all anyone cares about at this time of night is booze and coke, and they’ve got plenty of both in the back den.

Opening the fridge, I fish out the water jug and fill my glass. Condensation drips down the front of my sweatshirt as I take a large sip. I didn’t realize how hot or thirsty I was until I started drinking.

The cool chill of the water burns my throat, but I finish it. Wiping my mouth with the back of my hand, I take a deep breath, and it feels like the first one I’ve taken in years.

Things finally make sense.

I came here for answers, and I have them. I accept them.

The man who killed Remi is dead.

I can move on.

A sound comes from a door at the opposite end of the kitchen, so I set my glass in the sink and slowly walk over to it. Someone is tapping on the other side, and it reminds me of that first comment I made at Montgomery that got Alex’s attention.

The back of my neck prickles when I reach the door, and instinctively, my hand moves to my thigh, but my knife isn’t there.

It’s okay, I tell myself. It’s Sigma House. Alex is here.

Somewhere.

My hand pauses on the handle. Maybe I should leave well enough alone. The fraternity is a labyrinth of rooms, and I’m not welcome wherever I please. But something about the sound coming from the other side draws me in.

I swing the door open and am met with a staircase that circles downward. There are no voices below, but curiosity gets the better of me as I start to make my way down it.

The stone steps are cold against my bare feet. And when I reach the bottom, I’m met with another door. I try the handle, but it’s locked.

Just as I’m about to turn and head upstairs, the hinges creak with the door opening.

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