At the mention of Ashlyn, my heart races. “Why wouldIhave her number?”
Voice flat and annoyed, my older sister sighs. I can hear her eyes roll through the phone. “I was at our party on Hallow’s Eve, Aiden. And I know you.”
“Why do you need it?” I shift my gaze from side to side, but I’m alone. Ashlyn hasn’t been answering calls because she’s been with me…
“Because I think she could help us.”
I swallow, my brow furrowing as I let the silence pull at her until she fills it. And I find out her next plan.
“So she’d be away for one night?” I ask.
“Yep. That’s it. That’s all I need,” she says.
“You have her right number. Maybe talk to her in person instead.” I still feign nonchalance.
She takes a breath and pauses. “Are you okay?”
Instead of the usual pat answer, assuring everyone I am, I say, “Just get the job done and I will be.”
“I love you, Aiden. I do.”
“Love you, too, O. But listen to me. If you need anything? You call. I don’t want my sister in danger.”
“Oh, sweet baby brother. Iamthe danger now.” She laughslike I haven’t heard since we were kids, but my chest aches with worry for her anyway.
Under the judgmental instructions of Dean Twinston, I collect Hailey from the front ofOmegaHouse at nine. She throws the door open like she’s announcing a coronation—“My man is here!”—and my gaze rakes the foyer for gold hair and a sharper tongue.
But no hellkitten.
The letdown hits harder than I’ll ever admit.
Hailey bounces on her toes, sliding her hand into my offered arm.
“Ready?” I ask, steering her toward Westmore Bar.
“Yes! I’m so excited. I don’t think I’ve ever been to a WestmoreThetapre-Thanksgiving night bash before.” She bats her lashes like the words might stick to me. “I heard you guys get rowdy.”
“Yeah.”
South campus blurs by until Elowyn and Blaire emerge from the alley by the Salty Iguana, all legs and confidence.
“Ladies.” I shake off Hailey’s hand and slide my arms around their waists like they belong there. Hailey’s jaw unhinges, so I press a kiss to both foreheads to watch it drop farther.
“Hey, Aiden.” Elowyn’s palm drifts over my chest, deliberate enough to make Hailey twitch.
Blaire’s hips brush mine as we walk. “Have you visited Sutton yet?”
If I tell her Sutton hasn’t crossed my mind, I’ll lose half my leverage for tonight. “Not yet.” It’s enough to keep the illusion that I give a damn. The promise that I care is enough for most women to live off of for at least a good six months.
“He picked me up for a date,” Hailey interjects, trying to wedge herself back into my orbit.
“Sweetheart, I’m dating a lot of ladies. You can be one, ifyou act right.” I hook a thumb under her pointed chin and lower my voice. “Don’t do the jealous girlfriend thing. Especially if you’re never going to be a girlfriend.”
Blaire laughs as she pulls the bar door open, and the night swallows us whole—dark, neon-lit, thrumming with drunken chaos.
Somewhere in here, Ashlyn will see this.
And when she does, I’ll make sure it burns.