Page 83 of Heresy

The professor at the head of the room begins his lecture, a slow crawl of information regarding apologists and their part in religious philosophy. Normally, I would be enthralled by the lecture and class discussion, but I can’t help my thoughts returning to that auto shop and Shane.

He’s an attorney?

I would have never guessed that underneath those coveralls and grime, he is an attorney. Certainly not under the blood and bruises from the fight at Myth. But it does make sense now why he was at the governor’s party.

Unlike what Shane appeared to be, he was born into an elite social circle made of money, and his silver spoon does exist despite what he’s shown me.

It makes me like him even less … yet my thoughts keep traveling back to him.

I can’t shake my fascination with how he inspected my car. And I know that sounds dumb. He was just a mechanic doing what mechanics do. Except there was something else about him in that moment. Like a curtain had been pulled aside, and for those few minutes, I could see the person inside him who knows how to love.

Sure, he was loving an inanimate object, but it was still love. Adoration even. An admiration and appreciation of something he foundworthyof his attention.

And while he stood fascinated with a bunch of grease coated machinery, I stood fascinated with him.

But only for that short period of time.

Every other encounter I’ve had with him has been hell, which is why I’m stupid to be thinking of him at all.

Class ends, and I realize I missed the entire lecture. Angry at myself for that, I attempt to pay attention in my next class, but I end up walking out having missed that lecture as well.

Hoping to be able to focus when I reach the library, I’m barely paying attention to my surroundings when a familiar voice catches my notice.

“It’s about damn time I find you. Where have you been hiding these past few days?”

I jump at the voice, my hand clutching the strap of my bag tighter as I look up at the familiar face.

Not here.

Not now.

Ames stares back at me with concern lining her expression. She attempts a smile but fails, her head tilting in question when I don’t immediately answer her.

Unsure what to tell her, I attempt a weak excuse.

“My car broke down. I told you that. I’m sorry I haven’t been able to take you to work.”

That’s the other issue too. I’ve been avoiding Ames’s calls and texts. After contacting her once when I first got home to tell her I wouldn’t be able to drive her to work, I’ve purposely avoided talking in depth with her.

Regardless of what she thinks about herself, Ames is sharp, her ability to see through bullshit strong. She’s like a human lie detector in that way, and it’s why I have to avoid saying too much. I don’t want her getting involved in this shit. I can’t risk her like that.

She finally manages a bright smile as she walks beside me to the library.

“No worries,” she says, “Granger let me borrow his car. How do you think I got here to see you?”

I stop in place. How had I not even thought of that?

Ames would normally have to take the bus to get here or spend what little money she has on a cab. She doesn’t have class today, so her presence on campus isn’t normal.

How am I missing everything today? I’m too trapped in my thoughts. Too worried and too distracted. And that’s the worst way to be when you’re being hunted.

“You shouldn’t be here, Ames. I’m sure Granger didn’t give you his car to take out for joyrides.”

We start walking again, and she leans over to nudge my shoulder with hers.

“What Granger doesn’t know can’t hurt him.” She laughs. “Plus, I don’t think he gives two shits what I do with the car. It’s hisextra. All he cares about is that I get in to work on time.”

“So why are you here?”

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