Page 103 of Revere

He meets my gaze in the mirror, and we have an entire conversation with only our eyes. He knows better than to believe I’m okay right now. But there’s also nothing he can do about it.

“You still have it.” Alex’s gaze drops to my wrist.

I spin my turtle bracelet around, rubbing my thumb over the shell. “Of course I do.”

“You always were the strong one of the two of us.” He offers a sad smile before turning to leave.

Through the mirror, I watch him give Mila a final kiss on the top of her head before dipping out of the bathroom. It’s still a little strange seeing him affectionate—seeing him voluntarily walk into these situations at all.

Even before he spent time in Montgomery, Alex didn’t like big crowds or lots of people. It’s amusing that he fell for one of the most social girls I know. They’re opposites. At the same time, they balance each other out.

And tonight, I’m thankful for Alex and Mila’s mismatched relationship because he lets her do as she pleases, and Mila decided to invite all of us to his room at the House to get ready. Since I doubt Jacob would be seen at a frat party, it’s the perfect way to avoid him.

Although, I don’t know what it says about me that I’d rather party with Sigma Sin than run into Jacob.

Once the girls are ready, we head downstairs. I’m surrounded by my friends, but with Violet clinging to Kole, Teal standing under Declan’s arm, and my brother creating a human cage around Mila, I might as well be by myself.

Usually, I avoid drinking heavily at Sigma House, but by my third shot, my head is swimming. At least alcohol is a quick way to get out of my head.

“Ice Princess.” Maddox slides up beside me.

He pushes his dark hair off his face; his green eyes gleam. He’s one of the most feared members of the House, but for some strange reason, we’ve always shared an understanding. Maddox knows I won’t put up with his bullshit, and I don’t expect anything good out of him. While Sigma House changes many of the men who pledge, sharpening their edges and transforming them into monsters, Maddox was born without an ounce of good. Nothing innocent to dilute.

He's coldhearted and manipulative to the core. Which, somehow, I find makes it easier to deal with because at least I’ve never expected anything more out of him.

“Maddox.” I don’t bother looking at him when he skims me up and down.

“Nice skirt.”

“Don’t bother with the compliments. You’re not getting in it.”

He laughs. “Probably for the best. Wouldn’t want you freezing my cock off.”

I roll my eyes. Maddox is only ever trying to get one of two things out of me—my irritation or an invitation to fuck. It doesn’t matter that I’ve spent our entire lives turning him down or that he hates everything about me; Maddox’s standards with women are nonexistent. He fucks anyone who looks at him too long.

“What do you want, Maddox?”

He shrugs. “Is it too much to want to just make conversation?”

“The most I’ve seen you talk to a girl is to give her directions to your bedroom.”

“Fair enough.” He grins like he’s proud of my insult. “Just trying to figure you out.”

“You’ve known me since we were two.” One of the downsides of growing up in the small world of Bristal’s Sigma Sin legacy community.

“Exactly.” Maddox turns, crossing his arms over his chest and leaning against the wall. “I seriously didn’t think you had it in you.”

“What are you talking about?” My irritation spikes the longer he stares at me with those unnerving green eyes.

“Fucking a professor.” He grins, and my stomach drops.

Blood drains from my face.

Has Jacob really gone and spread the word through Sigma House? Would he do that just to embarrass me?

Rolling my shoulders back, I try to school my expression. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Don’t worry. No judgment here.” It’s not a compliment, given his reputation.