Page 93 of A Dead Man's B-Side
Ajax mumbled, but we all heard it in the quiet room, “Just leave the old man to his devices.”
Thaddeus looked appalled, face scrunched in a ‘what did you just say?’manner.
For a moment, he appeared paranoid, looking into all our eyes as a heavy moment of silence passed before he let out a breath. “… I know what you all are doing and despite your admirable show of unity, I am not so easily riled.”
August shrugged but spoke slowly, as if he’d understand better that way, “Whatever you feel is best.”
He rubbed his heart to gesture the last bit for good measure, and I could see Paris almost lose it, lowering her head into her hands again just as she’d begun to lift it. Ajax suddenly found the opposite wall very interesting, and Wolf looked like he needed this to distract him from his mood, a hidden smile playing on his lips.
Thaddeus’ eyes twitched. “Go stand outside.”
“Again?!”
“That would make me feel better, so.” Thaddeus shrugged before a smug look filled his eyes. “Why don’t you accommodate this old man?”
I wasn’t going to lie; he had him there.
August’s mouth twitched, and when he turned to us all for a show of comradery, everything else in the room became so interesting.
Paris turned to me and muttered, “Did you do that homework?”
I nodded along, “Mhmm, yeah. Did you?”
One by one, we refused to meet August’s eyes, and when he saw the blatant hypocrisy, he stood up with a shove, his glare heated as he left with a parting fit. “We all smoked in Paris’ dorm after The Gallery dinner.”
Paris gasped.
Rain stood with her hand behind her back. “I don’t recall.”
Ajax threw a fit, waving his hands around. “That is a lie and August should be punished ten-fold. Give the order, sir.”
Wolf shook his head. “I went straight to bed once we’d returned.”
Thaddeus remained standing stoically, taking in the scene like a nanny watching the children make a mess.
August marched back in. “Huh?! It was Sasha’s pack. He bought a whole bunch when we went out because his last stock ran out, because he and Wolf chain-smoke together every night. He hides them behind his nightstand.”
My eyes widened at the words coming out of his mouth, for the first time seeing August’s ire turned on me. Sure, he was at times bothersome with a big mouth and an attitude to match. But it was then that I vowed to keep a closer eye on him.
He hadn’t ever seen me hide the packs there and yet he knew.
August wasn’t here because of his stellar grades.
The little traitor had a knack for wandering eyes and information just like the rest of us.
With those parting words, the little snake slithered out to face his punishment and left us with the wreckage.
Suddenly, Thaddeus’ eyes met mine and I blinked at him, forming the words of the first thought that came to mind, “I don’t smoke, sir.”
Wolf nodded along. “Me neither.”
Rain, because she’d been smoking that night as well, added, “Nasty habit, that is.”
“In fact, sir, I think we’d all appreciate it if you could tone down with the cigars. Pungent smell and all.” Paris’ words, despite the perfect ones for the moment, had a ring of truth in her voice.
The memory of her laughing off her rehab days came back to me.
Thaddeus cleared his throat, and I waited for what he might say.
