Page 12

11

Summer

W ednesday and Thursday seem to pass in a blur of classes and assignments. Alice grumbled both nights about wanting to go out and did her best to pull me away from the many texts I had piled up. My thirst for knowledge is insatiable, and the books call to me, tempting me to devour the knowledge waiting inside. I hunger for the power found inside the pages of a book.

The only way to appease Alice is to remind her about the big party on Friday, and that I’ll go all out with her for that. Instead of going to all the various parties alone, she lounges on my bed as I study. Instead of studying, she spends her time scrolling on her phone, making me watch videos posted on Nexus , and telling me all the gossip she uncovers as she explores the app.

Connor seems to have taken up permanent residence at our table. For the past two days, he has been sitting there, a wide smile on his face the second he sees me. Slowly, some of his friends and brothers have joined him. Today when Alice and I enter the cafeteria, all of his brothers are sitting with him. There really are far too many of them. Since it’s game day, all but Luke are wearing school jerseys, no doubt to rile up the school pep.

Alice slides into the seat next to Rafe, throwing him a look of disappointment. “You too?”

Rafe, being an angel of few words, simply rolls his eyes and takes a bite of his burger. Alice has been trying to provoke him into a fight since Zach has taken to giving her a wide berth.

“Hey, gorgeous.” Connor winks at me, that classic boyish smile pulling at his lips.

“You again?”

Zach tuts and pulls out his phone. His thumbs fly over the screen and the distinct sound of a transaction pings.

“Thanks for the credits.” Zane smirks.

I lift an eyebrow at them, sitting in the only seat available which, of course, is next to Connor. “What was the bet?”

Zach grumbles, “I said you’d tell Connor to fuck off. Zane said you’d say you again?”

I shrug and smirk. “I like to change it up, you know?”

Luke chuckles, shooting Connor an apologetic look.

Connor playfully shoves his shoulder into Luke’s and then turns his penetrating gaze back to me. “Have you picked out an outfit for the game? I brought an extra jersey.”

Ah, the delusional hope that I’m going to just go along with this. I pop a berry into my mouth. “I’m good. I already have mine.”

“Same,” Alice agrees, slurping on her blood bag.

Rafe pauses in his eating and narrows his eyes, looking between Alice and me. Does the little brother sense my plans? Well, it’s too late to stop them now, Rafey boy.

My lips twitch slightly, but I make sure to keep the facade of innocence around my demeanor. It’s more fun if they don’t suspect.

“So, Con, are you going to kill Monto-Monster today?” Zach smirks at his older brother before taking a big bite of his burger.

“No. Why do you always think I’m going to kill him?” Connor asks. There’s a jingle of humor in his voice. Over the last few days, spending time with them all, it’s become clear how much Connor adores his brothers, but it is certainly not softening me toward him. I’m not that weak.

“Because killing is fun!” Alice answers with a creepily cute smile on her face. There’s a beat of silence around the table before everyone dismisses her comment. They’ve quickly adapted to her unhinged commentary.

“Don’t kill him.” I pick up another berry and plop it into my mouth, keeping the smirk off my face. “It would be a waste of such a hot body.”

The guys go silent again, but this time their eyes lock on me one by one. I can feel the weight of their gazes resting heavily on my shoulders.

“What did you say?” Connor asks, his voice soft but with an edge of menace. Sexy. No, not sexy. Annoying.

I look at him. “The captain from Irachmoor? He’s hot.” I shrug, secretly pleased with myself that I’ve managed to get under his skin. He’d been so unfazed by me for this last week that I had started to think nothing would get him riled.

Rafe lets out a loud laugh that makes Alice jump, and the twins gape at him in surprise. Even I turn to look at him, surprised at the sound of joy coming from the most brooding Morningstar.

Connor’s eyes narrow on me, and his smile remains, but turns sharp at the edges. Well, well, it looks like the golden boy act only goes so far. “You’re talking about Hector Montgomery. Right?”

I nod. “Yep. Alice showed me his Nexus page. He’s so muscly…” I trail off on the final word as if picturing the captain in my head.

Alice had taken the time to give me the basic rules regarding Infinity Slam, but I’m not sure how much of that I truly retained. Sports are not my thing.

Connor blinks, and Rafe covers his mouth, his shoulder shaking as he continues to laugh. The three other Morningstars are torn between looking at Rafe in astonishment and me in horror.

“I’m muscly.” Connor crosses his arms, his muscles bulging beneath his shirt. I focus on his face, feigning an unimpressed look.

Alice bites her lip, struggling to keep a straight face.

I poke Connor’s biceps and scrunch my nose. “He’s definitely bigger than you.”

Connor sputters, “I just…I wasn’t flexing.” He flexes again, his jersey straining over his impressive physique. I jab them again and shrug.

“I’m not sure that made much of a difference, shrimp.”

Alice throws her head back, unleashing her cackle. Rafe stands, not looking at any of us as he leaves the cafeteria in absolute hysterics. Zach and Zane stare after him until he is out of sight before they turn back to watch Connor and me standing off.

“You’re trying to make me mad,” Connor says, glaring at me.

I place my hand on my chest and widen my eyes, sticking my lower lip out in an artful pout. “Me?”

Connor gently but firmly grasps my chin, tilting my head up. “Yes, you.”

That hold does something to me, something I don’t like. Somehow, it has made it impossible for me to look away from his lips.

“Manhandling me, Morningstar?”

Connor leans in slightly, his mouth a breath away from mine. From the corner of my eye, I see Zach and Zane grinning like lunatics. “You trying to make me angry, Tuatha De Daanan?”

I quirk an eyebrow. “Know my first name yet?”

“If I say yes, do I get a kiss?” Connor asks, and my stomach flutters.

I bite back a moan. Gods, have his lips always been so plump and perfect?

“I’ll make you a deal, Morningstar.”

He leans in closer, and his scent wraps around me. “Oh?”

“I will give you one kiss when you figure out my name, but you should choose your timing wisely.”

His breath feathers over my lips. “And why is that, gorgeous?”

My lips curl into a half smile. “Do you really want to waste your one kiss in the school canteen?”

“Oh, I have no intention of wasting it,” Connor says with a smirk, his voice having dropped an octave. He pulls away, and I fall a little toward him. I right myself quickly, my cheeks heating. “See you tonight.” He chuckles, the sound full of masculine satisfaction. So annoying. He slings his bag over his shoulder before walking away. I don’t watch his ass as he leaves, and I consider that a major win.

“So, you know he’s known your name since like… Tuesday, right?” Zach asks.

I glance at him. “How?”

“Rafe hacked the records,” Zach whispers conspiratorially.

Zane punches him hard in the arm. “Snitch.”

I roll my eyes. “Rafe is definitely my favorite.”

“Rafe is very special. I can see how the two of you would connect,” Luke says, studying me. I struggle not to squirm under his gaze. He sees too much. Out of all the Morningstars, Luke feels different. He’s kind and seems to put everyone around him at ease. I don’t mean the others aren’t kind, but there’s something at Luke’s core that makes him rare in more ways than one. He may never be a warrior like his brothers, but he is equally impressive.

“You are a very close second, Luke.” I smile at him.

“And us?” Zane prompts.

“Tied for third, I guess.”

“Con is last?” Zach snorts.

“Oh, absolutely.”

“You are the only person who has ever put him last.” Zach snickers. “Even our mom’s list goes Luke, Connor, me, Rafe, and Zane.”

“What did Zane do to get the bottom spot?” I ask with a chuckle.

“It’s because he sucks,” Zach answers for him.

Zane punches him hard in the arm again. “You’re a dick, but he’s right. Lukey is definitely Mom’s number one.” Zane clears his throat and sits up straighter, speaking in a falsetto. “Baby Luuuuuke!”

“My tiny baby, Luke!” Zach follows, using the same voice.

Luke blushes and looks down at his plate. “I am not. Stop.”

“Where is my baby boy?” Zach continues, poorly imitating his mom.

Luke pushes at Zach’s shoulder, forcing him against Zane, his cheeks scarlet. “Go away or the next time Alice stabs you, I won’t heal you.”

We all laugh, and Alice and I stand up. “Okay, I have to go think of more ways to antagonize your big brother.”

Alice’s phone alerts, and she grins when she reads it. “Those things are here, Summer.”

I frown, trying to work out what she means.

“The things for the thing .” She discreetly shows me her phone and the delivery confirmation for the jerseys we ordered. I smirk at her and the perfect timing of the message.