Page 60 of Sticks and Stones (Shadow Valley U)
There is something familiar in his eye, and I’m beginning to read him very well. He walks over to me, and everyone else fades away.
“Yep,” Stone says, gripping my chin. “You’re staying with me now, Sticks.”
No.
I open my mouth to protest, but suddenly, I’m flying through the air and end up dangling over his broad shoulder. “Stone!” I yell through the jostling. I look at my foster brother. “Evander! Do something.”
“Sorry, sis.” He grins. “But it’s for your own good.”
I’m shocked and unsure of how I feel about Evan and Stone no longer having their little disagreement over me. “Are you guys seriously tag-teaming me now?”
Stone’s grip on me tightens when we reach the top of the stairs. “No one will be tag-teaming when it comes to you.”
I roll my eyes. “I didn’t mean it like that, Stone! Gross. He’s my brother.”
His chuckle vibrates against my chest, and eventually, I stop trying to escape and sway over his shoulder because what’s the point? I can’t even escape from him inside my head.
“Welcome to your new room.” He drops me down onto the bed and flicks his chin at my purple pillow. It’s closest to the wall, right next to his. “That’s your side.”
I hear the lock of the bedroom door and stay quiet. He comes over and flops down beside me.
“And this side is mine.”
Great.
CHAPTER22
STONE
I’ve graduatedto full-fledged stalker. Which, upon further examination, is probably not thebestthing for Wren. She’s already been traumatized enough by sharing her secrets. But after last night, lying beside her in the dark without touching her, I realized enough was enough.
This house is quickly turning into a family, and family protects each other through whatever means necessary.
I follow her from campus to Shadow’s, waiting until she’s clocked in and tied her apron around her waist before I head inside.
The hostess immediately smiles at me.
“Wren’s section,” I tell her.
“Are you flying solo tonight, Stone?”
It’s kind of weird that she knows my name. Still, I nod at her and force a smile, then look over her shoulder and catch Wren’s eye. Her head snaps toward me, her brow furrowing.
Tough luck.
The hostess leads me to a booth, and only a moment after she’s gone, Wren is practically breathing down my neck.
“What are you doing here?” she whispers.
I glance around. “Why are you whispering?”
“Because—”
“Are you embarrassed?” I take the menu and tap it on the table. “I just wanted something to eat before practice…”
She glances at her watch, then back at me. “You’re not getting my discount.”
“Wouldn’t have wanted it.”