Page 31 of Objection Overruled
And I’ve never been more dangerous than when I’m telling the truth.
Chapter Seven
Tessa
Waffles pees on the side of the admissions building with his head held high and zero remorse.
His pride is almost impressive.
If peeing on university property weren’t also very much against the rules.
I scan the sidewalk for witnesses and find none. Campus is mostly empty this early. Thank heavens for pre-finals burnout and my roommate’s ongoing sleepover at her boyfriend’s apartment. Three blissful days of silence with no threats about unauthorized pets in our apartment agreement.
Just me, a hoodie stuffed with 70 percent terrier.
“Come on,” I whisper, nudging Waffles toward the side door.
He huffs, offended but cooperative, nonetheless.
We slip inside unnoticed, moving quickly up the stairs and down the long hall. I don’t breathe until we’re locked in my room and Waffles is curled up in a stolen laundry basket I should have given back to my last roommate.
I collapse onto the bed, hoodie still half-zipped, heart pounding.
I can’t keep this up forever.
Eventually, Tiffany will come home, and Waffles will bark at the wrong time.
Then what?
I’ll lose my apartment, my spot at Havemeyer, and whatever’s left of my already-questionable reputation.
It’s not just the dog. It’s everything.
The secrets. The IOU.
The way my arm still aches beneath the bandage, reminding me who cleaned the blood and whispered orders in the same breath.
I press my palms into my eyes.
This time at Havemeyer was supposed to be a second chance.
One semester of surviving quietly, graduating with enough dignity to move on and forget the mess I made.
But now, I’m sneaking contraband dogs into my apartment, breaking into my place of employment, and getting cornered by a man whom I now owe an ominous favor.
My phone buzzes.
Rowan King: Lunch. 1:00 p.m. Lincoln & Fifth.
I stare at the screen. Then roll my eyes so hard I give myself a tension headache.
No greeting.
Just orders.
My fingers hover over the keyboard.
I could say no.
