Page 227 of Brainwashed
Glancing up at Joy, I find her grinning, eyes on Rook and Velle who are pestering each other across the room. And when they fall back to mine, she winks at me. Then I peek at Luthor and Ren, who are giving each other some googly eyes. Luthor leans in and whispers something to Ren, who’s long dark lashes fan over his pale cheeks as he bites his lip.
“Seems like love is in the air in Alabaster Pen,” I murmur.
“Always.” Dash agrees. “Well, it was awesome talking to you, Felix. If you want, we can talk next week. I try to call every Thursday.”
“I would love that!” I gasp, then clear my throat. “You know, since there’s nothing else going on here.”What is it about this guy that makes me feel like such a spaz??
Dash just chuckles like the sweet darling morsel he is. “Right. Okay, homie. Talk soon. Can you put Luth on, please?”
“Yup. Talk later, babe,” I tell him. Then I turn to Luthor. “You’re up.”
He pries himself off of Ren, taking the phone from Joy. “It’s my best friend! Oh, best friend, I’ve missed you so very much.”
“Um… I’m your best friend,” Ren growls at Luthor while he laughs.
“No, you’re my…” Luthor’s voice cuts out quick. His cheeks turn pink, and he visibly gulps.
Ren raises his brows expectantly. “I’m yourwhat, Lex??”
“Shut up,” he mumbles. Then he purses his lips and tells Dash, “You shut up, too.”
I snort to myself, enjoying the endorphins that come along with having friends. It really is a foreign concept to me. And being surrounded by a bunch of guys loving other guys is really just so fun. It reminds me of when I used to go out to the clubs in Manhattan. But even then, I didn’t participate in the good times. I was always just watching… Stalking. Like a predator.
Here, I actually like these guys. And they seem to like me. At least everyone but Kang.
Peering at him, I find him fiddling with his fingernails, which are painted chipped black. Suddenly I feel awful. Everyone is talking about their relationships, flirting and touching, and being in love. It must suck for a single person. And I’m not sure if Kangissingle… But he looks a little lonely right now.
Movement at the double doors catches my eye, and I turn to see Peters lugging along a tall man with black hair. An inmate I’ve never seen before.
I nudge Joy. “Who’s that?”
“New guy,” she says. “Trevel Fenwick. #102.”
“Trevel… as in… Lem’s former patient??” My wide eyes are gawking. He’s… strikingly beautiful. In a brutal sort of way, all lines and contours, like a piece of euro man-candy.
“Yea, that’s him.” Joy sighs. “I’d be careful, if I were you. I think he has it out for your man.”
My lashes flutter. Lem told me about the issue with Trevel. How he had to use Trevel to get back here. And now Trevel blames Lem.
And probably me, too.
I try not to be obvious watching him. But then I spot Kang in my peripheral, and he’s staring at Trevel, too. I mean,gawking. I’m about to offer him a napkin to wipe away that drool.
Trevel grabs a tray and takes a seat at one of the empty tables, brushing his obsidian locks out of his eyes. His face lifts and we make eye contact.
His head tilts. So does mine.
His gaze narrows. I do the same.
Hi, fellow monster.
There’s some sort of knowing look on his face. But then his eyes fling to Kang, who looks away fast, pretending he wasn’t just staring.Aw. That’s so cute.
And when Trevel looks back at me, the corner of his mouth quirks into a smile that’s charming and scary at the same time.
And he waves at me.
We’re frolicking through the woods.
