When Will returned, he had kicked Noah out of the room and had taken a seat beside my bed. He had tried to kick Gavin out as well, but I had told him I wasn’t talking without Gavin by my side. I knew some of my story would be hard to believe and he was my witness.
“Were you institutionalized at ten years old for playing make believe?” Will asked me bluntly.
I knew I couldn’t lie to him now. I wanted to lay all my cards out on the table. “No,” I looked over at Gavin, wishing I had told him this before. He knew about my connection with Jaxson, but I never told him I was institutionalized because of it. “I was put into the looney bin when my stepmom and my dad’s boss found me…talking to another gifted individual after the funeral.”
Will’s eyes furrowed in scrutiny. “Another gifted you say?”
“One of the guys I’m connected with,” I informed him bluntly. “It was the first time he came to me, and at the time, I didn’t know how to communicate with him without words.
His eyebrows rose once more. “You know who you are connected to, and you knew that at ten?”
I couldn’t suppress my giggle. “I didn’t know then, but I know now.”
“Collin?” William enquired. I shook my head, no, and he continued. “You know, when you were younger, we suspected you were capable of compelling people, but it seems you have learned to expand your gift. You have more than one connected?” He asked as he looked over enquiringly at Gavin.
Gavin gave a quick to shake his head.
I think Will expected me to be shocked, but I was incapable of even feigning it. I was tired, and I knew I was prepared to let him know it all. “Collin isn’t one of them. Gavin isn’t one of them, either. I have six of them.”
It was Wills turn to snort at me in disbelief. I opened my eyes wide. I had never heard him snort. “That’s highly unlikely. Is that something your…dad had you believe?”
He was starting to irritate me. I knew what I was saying sounded unbelievable, but I had no reason to lie. “Nope, my uncle never knew of my connections.”
He barely suppressed an eye roll. “Where are these other connections of yours?”
I sighed, tired of playing this game. “I’m not sure. I imagine Jaxson is preparing for his championship game. Drake most likely is finishing dinner. Jace was on an assignment,” I scrunched my nose up. “Well, he was the last time I had to live through this day. Troy should be on his way home to watch his younger brother play his last game in high school, and win, by the way. Noah was just here, so…,” I couldn’t help the sadness from coloring my words. I shook them off. “And Remy is probably wrapping things up for the day at We 7 so he can attend the game as well.”
Will gasped. His face turn red. “Do you think this is a joke? You know I had a check done on you as well and I see that you have been an excellent student and seemed to be rather well adjusted, but I’m not amused by your latest antics. Trespassing in the music hall. Stealing a student from her class. What game are you playing? Has Horatio sunk his claws into you?”
Gavin looked like an avenging body guard as he stood from his chair on the opposite side of me. “Show him Blake. Show him your mark.”
I sighed as I leaned forward and revealed th e ηon the back of my neck, under my hairline.
Will nearly fell out of his chair as he turned a disconcerting shade of white.
Chapter 11
Collin chose to come rushing through the doors at that time.
“Blake, babe,” he looked anxiously at Will and I, but his eyes narrowed at the sight of Gavin, who was still holding my hand in reassurance. It was a purely platonic touch between friends. Our fingers weren’t intertwined.
“What’s going on?” he bit out, although I could still see the panic lingering in his gaze. “I couldn’t find you anywhere today and you weren’t answering your phone.” He placed my phone in my lap. “Someone found this and turned it in to lost and found. I’m glad they didn’t try to pawn it.”
Likely story. I tried to give him a smile. “It seems like you were correct. I’ve been pushing myself too hard lately and when I caught a bug, it kind of wiped me out.”
“She had a temp of over 104 degrees and she was dehydrated,” Will informed him as he casually sat back down.
Collin leaned over my side, effectively disconnecting Gavin’s touch. “And your…friend was there for you,” Collin said bitingly, although his touch was gentle as he pushed my hair from my face.
I gave him a painstaking sigh. “He’s just my friend. I’m really tired of explaining myself.”
“I did what any guy would do for a friend—I made sure she obtained the proper treatment.” Gavin stood from his chair, bristling. “You knew she was sick this morning. Why would you allow her to go to school in her condition?”
Collin snorted, “You know her well enough by now. She’s a touch stubborn.”
Gavin opened his mouth to speak once more, but Will was quick to intercede. “Boys, I think Blake’s had enough excitement for one day. I think it’s time we left so she can get more rest. If her temperature stays down, she can be released tomorrow morning.” He stood up and walked to the door, holding it open.
“But I just got here, can’t I spend a few moments with her, by myself?” Collin looked over at Gavin pointedly. “I was worried sick for my girlfriend all day.”
Will looked torn for a moment. “If it’s alright with Blake, but only for a few moments.”
I nodded reluctantly. “That’s fine. I’m really tired and I would love to go back to sleep.”
“I’ll get you some food,” Gavin said as he went to follow Will out the door. “You need to eat,” he said firmly when I was about to protest.
I knew I had to eat, but food sounded so unappetizing now and I really did want to fall asleep once more.
My heart was racing as the door closed and Collin turned to me. Gone was the worried boyfriend. His eyes transformed into one of anger.
“Do you know what I went through today? I went to all your classes and you only showed up to the first one. I went back home, and you were nowhere to be found. I called you constantly, only to find you didn’t even have the courtesy to keep your phone on you. I didn’t even find out you were here until Stacey informed me.” He was pacing back and forth. “This crap needs to stop. You need to start taking our relationship more seriously.”
I could only gape at him. Talk about Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. “You do realize I’m sick right?” I rolled my eyes at him. “You act like I intentionally got sick so that I could enjoy a stay in the hospital.”
His eyes narrowed even further. “Well, technically, it is your fault for not taking care of yourself.”