Page 28 of Atone

Patience refuses to accept Teal spending more time with Declan. And while I know it’s a reflection of her issues with her childhood and her relationship with Sigma Sin, it’s easier for her to push the resentment on Teal than deal with it.

“I don’t think Patience will ever justget over itwhen it comes to this place,” Teal says, circling the car.

I use my reflection in the window to smooth my hair. My red dress is almost shorter than Teal’s, and I’ve paired it with a leather jacket. The perfect outfit for the emotional warfare I plan on waging with Marco tonight after the ridiculous string of texts he sent me earlier, begging me to take him back.

Spinning, I loop my arm through Teal’s. “Well, then that’s on her.”

“She hates me for talking to Declan.”

“She can’t hold Declan against you any more than she holds Kole against Violet.”

“It doesn’t seem to stop her.”

I frown because there is only one reason Patience’s judgment would bother Teal as much as it does, and that’s if her feelings for Declan are growing deeper.

“Declan represents the House to her since he’s the president. But she’ll work it out. Just give her time and try not to let it get to you. We both know how Patience processes things when she’s angry.”

“She has a right to be.” Teal sighs. “After what they did to Alex, her feelings are valid.”

The more time I spend with Alex, the less sure I am about that. Patience uses her brother as a reason to resent what she refuses to deal with. She’s my best friend, but the only one who really knows what is going on with Alex isAlex. Anything else is a convenient excuse for her to wage her war against Sigma Sin.

“What happened to him is wrong, yes. But it doesn’t mean she should let it destroy all her friendships. Do you think Alex would want that? He’s already suffered enough without his sister voluntarily adding herself to the victim list. Besides… karma. The people responsible will get what’s coming to them.”

“And who’s really responsible? Patience seems to think it’s Declan.”

“Only Alex knows, I guess.”

“Speaking of Alex…” Teal smirks at me. “Does Patience know how many times you’ve gone to see her brother this past week?”

“Not exactly.” I purse my lips. “But he deserves company, and I know Patience has been busy studying for finals, so I figured I might as well check in. He needs to know people haven’t just forgotten about him.”

Excuses.

Lies.

They were bound to catch up with me eventually, and I should have expected this from Teal, given we’ve crossed paths at Montgomery a few times recently. I’m being too obvious not to get caught, and I can’t help it.

Since the day I returned Alex’s sweatshirt, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about him. I’ve found every excuse to visit, dreading the day he finally gets tired of me and kicks me out.

It must be annoying how often I’m showing up outside his door.

But I can’t get him out of my head, especially with the bits and pieces of secrets he’s offering. Every time I go tosee him, we sit in silence until one of us breaks. Me by rambling or him by sharing an entry from his journal.

I’ve yet to make sense of the meaning behind his words, but I’m getting glimpses.

The other day, he offered a page that was nothing more than the Sigma House oath scribbled over and over.

For our brothers, we live.

We die.

We honor.

To our grave and into the afterlife.

Take from the House, we take from you.

Give to the House, it gives to you.