His brow lifted slightly. “Kid?—”
“I’m not hiding in this house while Elise parades around school thinking she’s won.”
Mom stepped in. “This isn’t about pride.”
“It’s about visibility,” I countered. “We agreed. No disappearing.”
Edwardo studied me for a long second. “Dunn’s people are watching.”
“Then let them watch,” I replied. “I’ll go to class, then home. It’ll be fine.”
His jaw flexed once. “I don’t want you alone.”
“I won’t be.”
He held my gaze. “Luke picks you up. Luke drops you off. You stay where he can keep an eye on you.”
My pulse steadied at the sound of his name. “Luke will be there. He’s meeting me in the parking lot. I need the car because he has hockey practice after school. He’ll walk me to it. I’ll be fine, promise.”
Edwardo gave a single nod, decision made. “Then I’m not worried about today.”
Mom glanced between us. “You trust Luke that much?”
Edwardo didn’t hesitate. “I had him looked into. I trust what he does when it matters.”
That landed heavier than I expected.
Mom’s shoulders eased a fraction before she glanced at me again. “Stay alert. Text me the second you get to school.”
“I will.”
I slung my bag over my shoulder and headed for the door, trying not to dwell on how much lighter the house felt with Edwardo in it.
The parking lot at Blackwood shimmered under the morning sun, students drifting in clusters toward the entrance. My mind kept replaying Edwardo’s words.
He’d called his brother, that had to be what was in motion. I wasn’t sure how I felt about him calling in a favor for us.
I spotted Luke before he saw me. He moved through the lot with quiet certainty, two coffees balanced in his hands, hair still damp. There were shadows under his eyes he hadn’t bothered to hide.
He tapped on my window with one knuckle. A small grin lifted one corner of his mouth.
I pushed the door open with a wide smile at what he held. “You got the good stuff?” Please let it be mocha latte with an extra shot of expresso.
“Extra shot. Mocha latte and caramel added too.” He passed me one cup. “Figured you’d need it.”
Yes, most definitely. Especially after everything last night that hung between us unspoken.
I got out of the car, locked it, and stowed my keys in my backpack. We fell into step together, walking toward the building. A few heads turned. Not curious in the cruel way from before. Not whispering.
I didn’t care, not with Luke by my side and the heavenly first sip of my drink. People watched as Luke’s hand rested aroundmy waist and on my hip, where it felt right. The silence held, but it didn’t feel hostile.
Luke nudged my shoulder lightly. “We could still bail. Beach sounds better than calculus.”
“And hand Elise a victory?” I snorted. “Absolutely not.”
His mouth curved faintly. “Fair.”
I studied him as we crossed the pavement. “You look exhausted.”