Page 85 of His Untoward Hate

“Why?”

“I was thinking…” Jasper trailed off, a little scared. “Since our house is pretty far from where I work, I might stay there a few nights a week. They have a staff room employees can use, and honestly, it’d be a lot more convenient than traveling back and forth every day. At least until I get used to everything.”

The idea of Jasper not coming home did not sit well with Sky. A strange sense of discomfort settled in his chest, but he kept it to himself. He could not exactly tell Jasper not to do it. The commute was exhausting, and deep down, Sky knew his brother’s plan made sense. It would save him plenty of time, energy, and unnecessary hassle. Nevertheless, knowing the house would be emptier without him felt harder to accept than Sky expected.

“You’ve really thought this through?” Sky asked for confirmation before taking a long drink, finishing half the water in his glass.

“Yeah,” Jasper replied. “Besides, I’ll still come home every weekend. And if I ever feel like coming back during the week, I can. So don’t worry.”

Jasper flashed Sky a reassuring smile, and somehow, it eased the tension in his chest.

Jasper had grown much more mature in the way he approached and handled his decisions. Even though he was already nineteen and perfectly capable of making sensible choices before, Sky had always felt the need to take control of everything. Now, however, he realized it was better to let Jasper decide for himself.

After all, Jasper had never given him a reason to doubt him. He had never done anything reckless or irresponsible enough to truly anger Sky. He was intelligent, dependable, outstanding, and everything Sky was not growing up. On top of that, he excelled academically, something Sky could not help but feel immensely proud of.

“Besides,” Jasper added with a teasing grin, “I think you also need an extra room. Feel free to take over mine whenever you want.”

“What are you talking about?” Sky asked, frowning as he leaned against the kitchen island.

Jasper raised an eyebrow.

“You forgot to keep your voices down.”

Sky immediately stiffened.

“The two of you were arguing so early in the morning that it woke me up,” said Jasper.

Since Jasper’s room was right next door, Sky had no doubt he had heard far more than he should have.

Jasper knew Sky better than anyone. Sky was certain he had already figured it out. In fact, he had probably known for a long time.

“I heard about what happened,” Jasper said. “It’s been all over campus since yesterday. Mitch has been telling everyone that Jude got kicked out of their house and that he’s adopted.” Jasper said as he folded the newspaper neatly and set it on the coffee table before rising to his feet.

“I honestly don’t understand why Mitch treats him that way,” Jasper continued, shaking his head. “I even heard she was the one who orchestrated what happened to Jude in the parking lot a few days ago.”

Anger instantly flared inside Sky. He had already suspected who the mastermind was behind the attack, but hearing it confirmed only fueled his urge to do something about it. What angered him even more was the fact that Mitch had been spreading Jude’s personal situation around campus as if it were her story to tell.

“Just be gentle with him, Dre,” Jasper said, his voice softening. “He’s already been through more than enough.”

The sincerity in his tone made Sky fall silent for a moment.

“Don’t expect me to come home tonight,” Jasper said as he slung one of his bags over his shoulder and picked up the other from the sofa. “Give Jude my regards later when he wakes up, and tell him to come back to school soon. You too, okay? I’ll make up an excuse for both of you to the teachers.”

Jasper reached for the big black umbrella and headed for the door.

“Bye. Love you.”

Without waiting for a response, Jasper stepped outside and shut the door behind him.

Sky remained where he was, stunned into silence. The anger raging inside him had become so overwhelming that it drowned out whatever he had in mind. All he could think about was finding them.

Sky’s blood boiled with fury.

He wanted to go to school.

He wanted to put his fists through the faces of every person who had hurt Jude.

He wanted them to feel the pain they had inflicted on him. Twice. Thrice. Ten times over. Or life.