I trace the rim of my cup. “Just school stuff.”
“If everyone were as diligent as you when it comes to studying, the world would be a better place.” She grins. “Anyway, I was saying, have you heard about the group of TKU football players who were suspended because their drug tests came back positive? And that’s not even the worst of it. They got into an accident on their way to the airport and barely escaped death. Some are still in the hospital.”
“Wow. That sounds intense.”
“I know, right? Like it feels too convenient, doesn’t it? Apparently, Kill and Gaz think the same, because this morning, while we were having breakfast, they asked Jeremy if he had anything to do with it, because they saw Ilya roaming around those players.”
“Ilya?”
“Oh, right. You probably don’t know him. He’s the big blond guy, about your age, who’s shadowing Jeremy and acting as his senior guard.”
I know him.
I’ve caught a glimpse of him a few times in the past. I think he even attended some of my classes, but how could he when I’m sure he’s a TKU student?
“Anyway, Jer didn’t deny or confirm it, but we were all sure he actually plotted the whole thing. He can seriously be brutal whenever he puts someone in his sights, and I kind of feel sorry for those guys, but they probably did something to piss him off. You know, like the way they did you dirty.”
“Me?”
“Yeah. Ava told me the captain of TKU’s football team and some of his teammates bothered you, stole your books. and were a pain in the ass because you turned him down at a club once. This coincidence is kind of fitting, don’t you think?”
My limbs stiffen as I replay and mull over the information I just learned. I don’t think it’s a coincidence.
“Anni?”
She slurps from her drink. “Yeah?”
“Have you ever mentioned those American football guys bothering me to Jeremy?”
“I think I did once. The fact that Jer had a beef with them, too, is such a cool coincidence.”
Is it really?
I want to believe that he wouldn’t hurt people for me since we’re not really in a relationship, but I’m not sure what to think about what he might have done.
I hope it’s just a coincidence like Anni said.
“Also!” She taps the table in front of me. “You guys don’t have to egg Creighton on when he comes around.”
I can’t help the smile that tilts my lips. “And why is that? You don’t like it when we tease him about his first relationship that somehow happens to be with you?”
“Aw, stop it.” She hits my shoulder playfully. “You know how grumpy and silent he is, so whenever you give him shit, he won’t say anything, and I’m obliged to speak on his behalf since I’m his number one lawyer and all. Point is, I don’t want conflict with you guys.”
“Don’t worry. We’re just messing with him. Truly, we’re all glad that he’s no longer the silent kid among us. Besides, he speaks just fine when he becomes all territorial over you.”
She blushes, her finger playing with her straw. “I know! He took me by surprise, I swear. I just like him so much, it feels like a dream sometimes.”
“It definitely isn’t. Who knew Creigh’s lack of interest was all a camouflage? Anyway, you deserve to be happy, Anni.”
“Aw, stop it. I’m blushing.”
After a moment of letting her pat her pink cheeks, I clear my throat. “Do you plan to tell your brother about Creigh?”
The fact that I know of Annika and Creighton’s relationship while Jeremy doesn’t is something I’ve been feeling slightly guilty about. Of course, I wasn’t planning to tell him, but I hope she will so I don’t feel horrible for hiding it from him. Not only do I know how much he cares for her, but I also dislike keeping secrets from him.
Maybe you should tell him about how you helped Lan burn down his property and endanger his life then.
I shudder at the dreadful sound of my internal voice and shove it back to where it belongs.
“Nooo,” Anni says with an awkward laugh, then it abruptly dies down. “I’ve been imagining telling him, and every time, I picture Creigh and Jer either getting into a fight or killing each other. I love my brother, but he’s hotheaded.”
Tell me about it.
I lean forward in my chair. “You can’t hide this from him forever; he’ll eventually find out. Don’t you think it’s better if he hears from you instead of some random person?”
She shakes her head. “That topic and Jeremy are giving me a migraine. I’d rather not think about his reaction that will either be violent or destructive or both.”
I take another sip of my tea, letting the liquid soothe my dry throat. “Has he always been opposed to any possible relationship you could have?”
She lifts a shoulder. “I guess he and Papa feel like no one is good enough for me. They have a Volkov god complex, I swear.”
“Volkov god complex?”
“Yeah, like no one is worthy of our bloodline except for a Russian. I mean, not really, but secretly, they do think that. Maybe I can convince Creigh to start drinking vodka like it’s milk. Do you think he’d be game?”
“I think he prefers wine.”
“I know! He’s like an old man sometimes…” she trails off as she looks behind me. At the window, I think.
While I prefer not to have a direct view of the street, Annika always likes to watch passersby, wave at a baby here and smile at a pet there.
But she’s neither waving nor smiling right now. In fact, her eyes are squinting and her lips are pursed.
I spin in my chair and follow her line of vision. My grip tightens on the teacup when I see none other than Jeremy leaning against his bike, stance nonchalant and expression calm.
But he’s not alone.
A leggy blonde grabs onto his arm, a wide smile brightening her face. She’s dressed in a micro skirt and a tight blouse that leaves nothing to the imagination. Her shiny straight hair falls to the middle of her back and she has the type of beautiful makeup only influencers are able to pull off.
It’s the same girl I saw in front of the Heathens’ mansion after the fire. The one the guard called ‘Miss,’ then let in.
No clue why I erased that incident from my memory. No, not erased. I kind of hoped it meant nothing and she was just a family friend checking on him.
Apparently, I hoped wrong.
“That bitch,” Annika hisses under her breath.
“Who is that?”
“Maya.” She narrows her eyes further. “Nikolai’s sister. I swear she’s like a clingy mosquito. Be right back. I’m going to put her in her place.”
Annika abruptly stands up and storms out of the coffee shop, leaving her purse, drink, and phone behind.
Shit must be really hitting the fan if Annika forgot her phone that looks like it was dipped in purple glitter.
I should probably stay here and not start unwanted drama, but something has happened ever since I saw Jeremy with her and recalled that fire.