Page 72 of Endless Anger
Unfortunately, I’ve never been very good at following the rules.
When I wrench off the water, wrapping a towel around my waist as I step out into the larger portion of the bathroom, I’m only mildly surprised to find my oldest sister standing by the sinks, hands behind her back as she leans against the wall.
Her dark brown eyes, bracketed by bangs that sweep the ends of her brows and a pair of black feline-framed glasses, remain expressionless as I approach, stuffing a razor into my caddy.
“How long have you been in here?”
“Don’t worry. I gave you plenty of time to yourself. Not interested in catching Asher’s self-pleasure show again. Once as a teenager was enough.”
Snorting, I shoot her a look. “I’ve never known you to venture into a public bathroom.”
She cocks an eyebrow, turning her head to watch me. “What do you think I did when I went here?”
“I assumed you probably bathed in Lake Lerna under the luminescence of a full moon, like all she-wolves. Probably why it’s blocked off these days for swimming, right? To keep the packs out?”
Quincy almost cracks a smile. “I think you’re getting yourwerelore confused with Fury Hill superstitions.”
Dropping my head, I grip the sink with both hands and sigh. “Yeah. I’ve only been here a few days, and it feels like the town air is warping my brain already.”
“Well, don’t drink the water. Or bathe in it, for that matter.”
I glance over at her without lifting my neck. “You just come from the dean’s office?”
“Yep. Lucy’s alibi is secured.” She looks away, down at the pointed toes of her red heels. “Thanks for making me an accomplice, by the way. I really enjoyed lying tomy bossand Lucy’s parents.”
“Still in love with her mom?”
Quincy’s pink cheeks blush a deep ruby color. “I was never in love with her. Just had a little crush.”
“Oh, that’s right, you always had a thing for that Eden girl?—”
Her arm whips out, smacking me across the shoulder. “Shutup. I’d like to focus on the fact that you asked me to lie about what Lucy was doing Friday night and how you haven’t told me anything else.”
“You didn’t ask.”
“Because you said it was urgent. I didn’t know there was a…possible murder involved.” She crosses her arms, watching as I push a drop of toothpaste onto my toothbrush and then wet the bristles. “What happened?”
“Nothing you need to worry about, Q.”
The door to the bathroom swings open, and a blond student in a dark blue bathrobe pauses as he starts to walk in. There’s a poppy embroidered on the breast pocket, capturing my attention.
My veins constrict, and I think back to Friday night before I met up with Lucy.
I’d been out there to stash my box and wound up running into someone with a score to settle. Someone who wanted to harm me.
Their shirt displayed the same symbol, and their blood got everywhere.
Onme.
I’d been drenched by the time I found Lucy.
The student’s eyes widen, and he holds up his hands. When he speaks, it grates on my nerves immediately, bringing back all those memories. “Uh, am I interrupt?—”
“Get the fuck out,” I snap, stalking over. I shove him out the door and slam it in his face, flipping the lock before he can try to come back inside.
Quincy groans, spinning to look at herself in the mirror. She reaches up, adjusting the bun her black hair is tied into. “As pleasant and charming as always. I can see why Dean Bauer made you an RA.”
“Like he’d ever deny anAndersonanything. He has a fucking perpetual hard-on for our family. Isn’t that why he hired you?”
