Page 73 of A Dead Man's B-Side
He shook his head. “God strike me down if I am. Rain and Wolf were considered already engaged in the eyes of high society.”
This made so much more sense looking back at the quick glances and frozen postures that seemed to be the only thing they were capable of communicating in when in proximity to each other.
I was stumped. “But… if they were… what happened?”
Ajax shrugged. “Beats me. At one point, they were as thick as thieves, and the next… nothing. It’s the one secret Castle Hill wasn’t able to reveal.”
I scoffed at his words. “Not the only one, it seems.”
If Rain and Wolf were once close… Well, that didn’t change anything for me, but it was an interesting piece of information. It puts many things into perspective.
I didn’t know how I was so blind on the first day, when Rain glanced back at Wolf in Mr Browne’s class.
Rain Atlas Jett is still in love with Wolf Kingsley.
I smiled.
I waved off my words when Ajax narrowed his eyes. “Well, anyways, what prices does Rain consider?”
The boy in front of me rolled his eyes and went back to his reclined position. “Secrets mostly. Sometimes favours or something darker. You can neverreallyknow what Rain will ask for.”
I hummed, considering his words.
Rain must know pretty much everyone’s business and, by extension–
“Her assistant? What’s his deal?”
Ajax seemed to be dozing off, only slowly blinking his eyes open at my voice. “Mmm, he’s a non-factor. Rain keeps him away from the darker side of business if she can help it. I would know, I tested him once. Didn’t know a thing.”
I began tapping my finger on the soft armrest. “You aren’t one hundred percent sure, though. Right?”
Ajax hummed. “No one is ever one hundred percent sure. But Rain isn’t stupid. She wouldn’t ever willingly give power to someone so close to her position. A position they might one day set their sights on.”
I nodded in understanding though Ajax couldn’t see me with his eyes closed. And for a moment, it was blissfully silent with the windows cracked open for fresh air, what with every other student in class.
Then, I remembered why I should have paid more attention to the peers in my class.
“Hey Ajax.”
“Yeah?”
“We’re in the same morning class.”
He smiled. “I know.”
I slipped into class just as the bell rang and took my customary seat in the back where Wolf was already seated. It bothered me how many classes we shared throughout the day, but I wasn’t allowed to ponder as Ms. Ransom began her lesson on the literature assigned from last weekend.
I tilted my head slightly to the side and looked down the row at Rain as she focused on writing something down in her notebook.
Rain Atlas Jett reminded me so much of myself, and so why was she in love?
It was a concept I couldn’t understand.
I hadn’t thought such a feeling was something to consider for people so ambitious about other, more important matters. Wouldn’t it be hard to turn off the cogs and let yourself feel?
In my eyes, only good people did things like fall in love. That healthy, carefree connection that made youwantto be honest with your partner.
I wasn’t a good person, and I didn’t try to convince myself otherwise. In fact, it was something I had to put my mind to and actively try to be. It was never something inherent nor natural to me.
