Page 69 of Midnight of Ashes
I burrowed into him. “You can’t fix it. But you just being here helps.”
Cáel grunted, unhappy with my answer.
“I’m sorry, Hayden,” Knox began.
“No,” I quickly cut him off. “It’s not your fault, and it’s not Easton’s either.”
“The hell it isn’t,” Knox groused.
“It’s not,” I pressed. “He’s hurting. But I know that you can see he’s trying. He’s doing everything he can to make the best of a situation he never wanted to be in.”
And that killed. Because at the end of the day, Easton would never want me. The best-case scenario was that he’d simply give in, and that made me feel gross.
A throat cleared, and I looked up to find Maddox hovering outside his classroom. Worry lined his brow as he studied me. “How are you doing?”
If Mad was finding time in the school day to check in with me, especially in the broad afternoon light, with tons of students around, I knew that I was receiving the full pity party. I tried not to let annoyance at that grab hold. “I’m okay. Really.”
I was simply ignoring the fact that Easton had disappeared. I hadn’t seen him on campus once today, and I had a feeling he wouldn’t be in our upcoming shared class either. I just hoped he was all right.
Maddox’s mouth pulled down in a frown. “If you need to cut out early, I can?—”
“No. No more missing classes. They honestly help.”
Cáel let out another grunt of disagreement.
“Everything’s going to be fine,” I pushed. But I knew they all heard the lie in my voice.
A bell rang, and I’d never been more grateful.
“I gotta run. Don’t want to be late.” I started down the hallway, Cáel and Knox on my heels.
When I reached the classroom, Knox tugged me to a stop. He framed my face in his hands. “Wait here after class. We’ll meet you as soon as we’re out of our seminar.”
I nodded in agreement. While I knew the enforcers were patrolling the building, I was past taking chances these days. “See you after class.”
Knox kissed me quickly, and Cáel gave me a long hug.
“Slut,” someone said, half-covering it with a fake cough.
I pulled out of Cáel’s hold to see Delaney walking down the hall with Bella. I rolled my eyes. “Need to work on your originality and delivery,” I called.
“I don’t hurt women, but I’d like to make an exception for her,” Cáel growled.
I patted his chest. “Her punishment is that she actually has to live in her miserable life.”
Knox chuckled. “Great point.”
I gave them a little wave and headed into the small amphitheater. I scanned the space, disappointment flaring when I didn’t see Easton anywhere. Still, I took my normal seat, next to the one he’d been frequenting.
The guy who’d nearly had his ass handed to him by East glared at me. “Where’s your bodyguard?”
“I don’t see anyone I need a bodyguard for. From what I remember, Easton put you on your ass with his little pinky.”
“Burn,” one of the guy’s friends called with a laugh.
“Bitch,” the guy spat, cheeks reddening.
I’d been called worse. Instead of replying, I opened my notebook and readied myself for class.
