Ashlyn squeezes my hand. “I’ll beright back.”
My jaw tightens, but before I can stop her, she’s gone. Logan slaps my shoulder.
“The thing about you Cardells? Youpretendnot to care so well…”
I watch her plump ass bounce in her tight jeans as she ascends each step. “What do you mean?”
“Then you find your person, and it’s all over. Tied. Leashed. Saddled.”
“Fuck you. Just because you’re too shy to talk to anyone… She’ll find you, and then you’ll be cooked like Ryan and me.”
“Never,” he says with finality. Loganhasn’t been interested in anyone. Not evenlookedat someone. “I’ve got too much future to focus on.”
“Last semester. Think you’ll escape without an appointed?” I ask, already knowing the POT is still lingering in the background. Who will take it over? I have no idea. But it seems as if the new president isn’t stopping her plans for it and the other committees.
“Unlikely.” He grimaces. His dirty-blond hair waves as he shakes his head, then pushes his glasses up his nose. “Whatever. My dads want grandkids. And I do, too. But I thought I could be acool unclefor a while, you know?”
Logan’s soft. He’s not like us. Uncles Mason and Briggs tried to shelter him from Ryan and me growing up. We’d scarethe shit out of him, and he’d go crying to our dad or Briggs. Then we’d get intobigtrouble.
Now? I’d protect this man with my entire being. No one should mess with him ever. Forcing him to marry some appointed he doesn’t want? It sets my teeth on edge.
“Let me and Ryan know if you get an order for it.”
His green eyes dart over to me. “Why?” Dropping his voice, he turns so his shoulder bumps mine. “You’re not going to do anything. Let it go. If it happens, I’ll deal.”
Or maybe we’ll all have todeal…
“He’s started CPR. Call 911!” A commotion interrupts our conversation as stomping footsteps clomp down the stairs.
Immediately, I hurry around them, shoving and pushing, scanning for Ashlyn.
“Rowan Greaves! Is someone calling?” one of theBetasyells, and several of the nerds jump into action. Thank the gods, half are pre-med.
But I’m the first of the pack to the landing. Down the hall, I spot a door open. Inside? A man lying on his back, a couple of brothers over his chest, working to resuscitate him. Next to a blue-faced Rowan Greaves, some pills are spilled out in an array of plastic capsules. Carefully, I pluck one off the nasty carpet.
“What is this?”
One of the guys lifts an orange bottle from his desk and reads the label. “Thio…Thiozenal? For seizures.”
“Is that a…” I wasn’t listening when Ashlyn was talking. “A barbiturate?”
“Yes,” says the guy giving Rowan CPR.
“There was a girl up here.Where is she?” I demand, heart racing. Sweat pours off my forehead.
They all shrug. “No idea, man. Sorry.”
I hurry out of the room and scan the hall. “Ashlyn?”
Hand shaking, I grab my phone and pull up her trackerapp, which shows her on the move…Outside. The blip is moving fast.
I take off in a sprint down the back stairs, aiming for the dot.
Someone bumps my hand as I pass, and my phone flies out, cracking on the steps. “Fuck!” I yell, grabbing it.
“Sorry, man.” But they’re already rushing to Rowan’s room.
My screen is busted. Shattered and black.