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59

Summer

I am still dealing with the effects of my hangover when I get to lunch, though it’s slightly improved. The rune I would usually use isn’t effective when there are other substances in the system. Because I don’t know much about the mushroom I had, I’m unable to form a rune to counteract it. I sit down next to Connor and lay my head on his shoulder.

“Hi, babe. How are you feeling?” Connor asks, wrapping an arm around my back and pulling me closer to him. Gods, I’m so disgustingly needy today.

“Shit,” I reply, grumbling as I close my eyes behind my sunglasses.

“How’s your head?” Connor asks, kissing my forehead.

“Sore.”

Connor’s lips twitch, and he nuzzles against the top of my head. The cafeteria is loud as usual, but the noise pierces my skull today.

“Have you eaten yet?”

I grimace, even the idea of food turning my stomach, and I shake my head.

Connor holds his sandwich to my lips, and I groan, trying to move away from the smell of the bread. Why is he always trying to feed me fucking sandwiches?

“Just a little bite, babe. You need to eat.”

“Con, you’ve offered me a sandwich twice in the time you’ve known me. It didn’t end well the first time, and unless you want me to vomit on you, it will not end well this time.”

“You and that first sandwich,” Connor says with a laugh.

Pulling back, I push my sunglasses to the top of my head so he can see the look I’m giving him. I immediately regret it when the light tries to boil my eyes, but I push through the pain and turn to Zach. “Zach, you’re making out with a girl, right? Like really making out. She’s on the counter with her legs wrapped around you.”

Zach blinks and then nods. “Woah. Okay.”

“Do you A. Keep making out with the hot girl who is DTF or B. Stop making out with her and offer her a PB&J?”

“She’s extremely trashed, FYI,” Connor adds, squeezing me tight, humor filling his voice.

“Mildly tipsy.”

Zach looks between us.

“You were way more than tipsy,” Connor scoffs.

“I was not.” I look back at Zach. “Well?”

Zach looks between us and shrugs. “I wouldn’t sleep with her, even if she was only slightly tipsy.”

I put my sunglasses back over my eyes and cross my arms over my chest. “Fucking angels.”

Luke chuckles from the other side of the table. “Would you make her a sandwich, though, Zach?”

“Nice ass, Summer,” a shifter purrs as he walks past the table. I cover my face, sinking into Connor. Not only do I feel like death warmed up, but the whole fucking school has seen my bare ass.

“It is nice,” Connor replies, sliding his hand down my back and squeezing my ass. “And all mine.”

Connor’s reply gives me a boost, and I growl, “And unless you want my foot firmly lodged up yours, you’ll keep walking.”

The shifter grumbles and walks away. Luke nudges Zach to prompt an answer. I glance at Zach, but he is no longer paying attention. I follow his gaze and see Ashley giggling and chatting to one of the senior sorcerers. His lips are pulled into a devilish, charming smile, and her cheeks are tinted blush pink.

Zach’s expression darkens, and he looks away. “Whatever, I shouldn’t be put in between foster Mom and Dad.”

My head throbs again, and I rest it back against Connor’s shoulder. “Zach, if you were my foster kid, I’d return you.”

Zach’s expression changes from fury to one of reproach. “Rude. Why?”

“You take this one, big guy,” I say, nudging Connor.

Connor chuckles and shrugs. “I’ve always wanted to return him.”

I nod. “Okay, it’s settled. We’re only keeping Rafe and Luke. Z squared can go to Alice. She’s always wanted a pet.”

Zane’s brows furrow, obviously deep in thought. “I think I’d probably make myself a sandwich.”

We all turn our attention to Zane and burst out laughing.

I gulp the rest of my coffee. “Okay, I’m going to the gym to try to work off the rest of this hangover.”

Connor lifts an eyebrow. “On an empty stomach?”

I roll my eyes and take a bite of his sandwich. My stomach protests, but I feel confident I’ll be able to keep it down. At least until I get to the gym, and I can hurl it up over that dick trainer. That thought makes me smile.

“I’ll come round later?”

Connor nods. “Please.”

I lean in and kiss him deeply. Connor slides his fingers into my hair, and his brothers groan at our public display.

I bite his lip. “Later, big guy. It’s been too long.”

“It’s Mom and Dad 2.0,” Luke groans, and my lips twitch.

“Look who’s back.” Max zeroes in on me the second I step into the gym. He is spotting someone in the weights section again, but his stupid voice carries through the busy space.

I ignore him and keep walking, going to the locker room to change into my shorts and sports bra. Unfortunately, Max is waiting for me when I come out, an eyebrow raised as if in question. I walk right past him, happy that the treadmill I used last time is free.

“Still not wanting to fight?” he asks, falling into step next to me.

I sigh and step onto the treadmill. I try to push away the feeling of defencelessness from last night. My memories are hazy, but I remember the feeling of the adrenaline coursing through me. I remember the hopeless feeling. I remember accepting that I was going to die. Should I learn to fight? Probably. But should Max the Ass be the one to teach me? Fuck no.

I turn on the treadmill, and the second it starts, I can feel the effects of last night in how my limbs are sluggish and my head pounds. Even my lungs feel bruised.

“You should join the class. I’ll go easy on you since I heard you had a wild night.” Max smirks, leaning against the treadmill next to me.

I glare and increase the speed. “Gods. Do you harass everyone who enters the gym or just me?”

Max snickers. “Just you. Feel special?”

I flip him off, pushing myself harder, and fuck, this is kicking my ass. Max laughs again and struts away to start his class. Listening to my body, I slam my hand down on the stop button and head to the mats for some easy stretches. I sit down and glance into the sparring room, watching for a few moments as Max demonstrates a few defensive movements. Max meets my gaze, his arrogance making my blood boil. I flip him off and start my stretches.

Trying to find my center, I take deep breaths and stretch out my aching limbs. My peace is disrupted when booming music blasts from the sparring room, and my head throbs in pain. I straighten and look through the window. Fucking Max is smirking at me. He knows exactly what he’s doing. Fucking asshole.

I stand up and grab my bag and water bottle. On my way out, I spot the electric box. A wicked smile curves my lips as I slice my finger with my rune dagger and start to draw on my palm. The dark red blood is stark against my skin until the rune takes shape. As I near the end, it becomes iridescent and glows faintly. I press my runed palm to the door of the electric box. There is a loud pop, and then the power cuts. The music stops, and the gym is plunged into blissful darkness. There are yelps of surprise and then grumbles of annoyance as everyone’s workouts are interrupted. I glance over my shoulder at Max, who glares at me with narrowed eyes. I wink at him and smile sweetly before walking out the door.