Page 40 of The Deceptions
Coming close to campus a few nights ago in the dark of night didn’t do this place justice. My jaw falls open at the sight of campus as we make our way down a long drive, leading to a large parking lot at the heart of it all.
“I got a map here somewhere,” Jordy grunts, parking our borrowed SUV and searching around. “Fuck, here it is.” He unfolds the large piece of paper, laying it over the steering wheel as he whistles, continuing to speak about what each building is. The truth is, he doesn’t have to explain anything to me. I’ve snuck onto campus many times before with the guys before our friendship went up in flames.
Mack tosses an arm over my shoulders and pulls me close. People mill around the campus with cups in their hands, woohooing as they make their way to the first party of the year. The remnants of the August heat encapsulated us as we stand on the sidewalk outside the administrative building of campus.
“This is the heart of it all,” Mack whistles in awe.
If there’s anyone excited about higher education–it’s him. He can’t wait to start his career as a doctor, helping people and saving lives. It’s all he’s ever wanted to do since he was a kid.
“It won’t be long until we’re all here together.” JJ stands beside me with his hands in his jeans pockets and a sense of wonder crossing his features. His dark eyes dart around, taking in the multitude of people celebrating their new lives with their degrees in hand and jobs on the horizon.
“One step closer to our new life,” Hux says from behind us, leaning his head back, and staring at the stars illuminating the dark sky.
“Our new future,” Mack agrees, squeezing my shoulder and gently kissing the top of my head.
Sometimes we sneak on campus since we live so close. It’s always on nights we need a break from–well–our situation. Life with Franco and his gang has become increasingly difficult, especially for the boys. Since high school graduation is a little more than a year away, he’s increased their job load within the gang. Sending them out on different runs all over the state of California and even into the surrounding areas. They’re picking up guns, drugs, and whatever else Franco asks of them.
“We’ve got a run this Wednesday,” JJ mutters, looking at his phone with a frown. “To Nevada.”
“Nevada?” I grumble as my shoulders slump.
I’m never allowed on their runs. In fact, my duties have dwindled into basically nothing. My father is away more, tending to the kid he decided to take under his wing, which is fine. I’d rather him not be present to torture us, but there’s something in my gut that says something is wrong. Off.
“Fuck Nevada,” Mack says with a grin, looking down at me with a sparkle in his blue eyes. “Let’s party the night away,okay? We’ll celebrate their graduation and then, we’ll plan the future.”
But the future never came, not after that night. We drank, danced, and had the time of our lives until we stumbled back to their mansion, tripping over our feet and laughing.
It was one of the last times we spent with each other.
My heart breaks as I continually stare at the large brick building sitting two hundred yards in front of us—the administrative building—the heart of campus. It’s an old and weathered brick building touched by years of use. Green vines climb up the side of it, and a massive grassy courtyard stretches out in front of it, like the lawn of a palace.
Jordy looks up from the map in awe, sitting silently for one golden minute. But his silence never lasts too long.
“Jesus, Livy. This place is wild!” He whoops with excitement. “Remind me, I need to come to a party or two. Hell, I can become roommate number five. Fuck my assignment. I need a damn vacation, anyway.” He babbles on and on, filling the vehicle with his words.
I glare in his direction, peering at him through the glasses perched on my nose. My jaw tightens, and my teeth clench. It would be a terrible idea to punch him square in the nose for being a nuisance. Right? I mean, it would definitely make him shut his trap for one second and stop that awful nickname from leaving his tongue.
Worth it? Possibly.
Jordy wrinkles his nose, staring at my hardened face. “What? Don’t give me that look. You need to loosen up, Liv. Live a little and don’t look so constipated all the time. It’s very unbecoming of you,” he quips, earning a smack on the shoulder. “Fine. Keep your face like that and see if I care.” He rolls his eyes as he folds the map up and tosses it at me with a huff. “You need to spread your legs.” I side-eye him, and he smirks. “Not in the sexy way.Take up the whole seat and slouch for God's sake,” he gripes, pushing me down into the passenger's seat and forcing me to slouch.
God. He babbles way too damn much. Someone needs to shut him up. So, I volunteer as the person to do it, seeing as it’s just me and him.
“Stop,” I groan, pushing him away with a huff. “I'm fine!”
“Yeah, you think you're fine until they find you out because you're not man-spreading everywhere,” he snorts, side-eyeing me as he slumps back in his seat.
My heart beats out of my chest as I lean forward. People swarm the vast campus, unloading heavy moving boxes from their cars and pulling suitcases behind them. They chatter with one another, hugging after being away for so many months. They're smiling, ecstatic to be back after so long.
“Seriously. When I go to sit down, I just spread my legs and take up as much space as I can,” Jordy yaps endlessly, attempting to make me just like him.
I snort, dragging my gaze from the student body wandering the parking lot, and bring myself back to the conversation. It's something Jordy has been trying to pound into my skull since last night.
Do this. Do that. It'll make you more believable. It'll help your disguise.
“Typical fucking you,” I quip, earning a wink from him.
“You ready for this? Damn.” He leans forward, his mouth hanging open and practically drooling. “I wish I could go to real college. You’re the lucky one. All I got was a degree behind the screen.” His eyes light up as people walk by.
