Total pages in book: 146
Estimated words: 147801 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 739(@200wpm)___ 591(@250wpm)___ 493(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 147801 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 739(@200wpm)___ 591(@250wpm)___ 493(@300wpm)
“If you can’t grasp something so fundamental, how do you expect to fight for the truth without crushing it under your own self-importance? I expected more from you, Carson. I’m not just disappointed—I’m unimpressed.”
Needless to say, I’ve been fuming since. Which is why I picked up the phone in the first place—to forget about his asshole side.
And he was an asshole. Even Zara and the rest of the prosecution team told me I wasn’t that bad. I know I wasn’t bad at all, actually, and didn’t deserve to be humiliated in front of the entire class.
I didn’t deserve to be told, “I’m not just disappointed—I’m unimpressed.”
So now, I pick up my notebook and stand.
Kayden’s eyes follow my movements, remaining as still as a frozen lake. “Where do you think you’re going?”
“Leaving, as you instructed.”
“Quit the toddler tantrum and sit down.”
“I’m good. The lecture isn’t holding my interest anyway.”
“Carson. I said. Sit down.” His voice booms in the hall.
I glare at him and make a beeline to the door.
This is the first time in my life I’ve left in the middle of a class, but fuck him, really. He’s been a pain in the ass since the start of this case. No matter what I’ve said or done, he’s only criticized and disrespected me. Maybe I would’ve let that go before, but now that I truly hate his disapproval, it’s causing a deeper pain in that fucking part of my chest.
“I expect you in my office after class, Carson,” he says when I’m by the door.
I tilt my head in his direction. “No, thanks.”
His eyes hold mine, strange tension whirling beneath the gray, muting it until it’s almost dead, like a brewing storm. “Be there unless you wish to fail criminal law.”
Me? Failing a fucking subject?
He wants to die. He clearly does.
The whole class goes into shock, because why the hell would the top student fail a core fucking subject?
My lips pull up and I clamp them back down, then storm out.
As I stalk to the library, I tell myself he can’t actually fail me, not with my grades, and I can ask for a different grader if he does. I’ll sabotage his fucking career with the dean if he even comes near my GPA. I’m the star student here, and the dean is Grandad’s friend, who’d be livid if he heard about this episode.
And yet I can’t remain calm.
I realize I’m biting the skin under my nails and curse beneath my breath as I drop my hand and hold my head in my palm, staring at the blurry lines of the random constitutional law book I picked up.
Rage is throwing a mist over my eyes, and even still, I can recognize the underlying feeling beneath. Pain?
Fuck, am I hurt by his treatment?
Hurt because he said he’s disappointed in me?
Hurt because he threatened my spotless GPA just to make me feel small?
Hurt because I stayed up all night perfecting my closing statement just for him to stomp all over it.
My mind is full of stabby impulses, but, really, I noticed I only have those when he treats me like shit.
Or when I’m jealous.
Over the past month, ever since the first time he hugged me to sleep and called me by my first name, I thought things had changed.
We don’t just get together so he can fuck my brains out anymore. He’s been joining me at the archery range. I have my own personal range at the mansion but usually stick to the public one to avoid friends barging in uninvited. Lately, though, I’ve been spending more time at the club, and it’s quickly become my favorite spot.
Mostly because I’ve been teaching Kayden. Turns out, he’s pretty interested—and annoyingly good at it. A fast learner, actually.
The club is discreet enough that no one bats an eye at our existence. They’d just assume we’re there by coincidence.
We’ve also started playing chess, and honestly, it’s my favorite thing ever. We’re both stubborn as hell, and he never lets me win. Not once. Which I’m determined to change.
I love how he challenges me, keeps me sharp, and quiets the demons in the void.
Of course, Moka keeps knocking over our pieces during matches. Kayden scolds her, and I immediately scoop her up and hide her away. What? She’s a sweet, innocent baby. Okay, fine, maybe she did ruin the sofa, and sure, I spoil her a little—ordering her all kinds of stuff—but I digress.
Kayden even lets me talk to his moms when he FaceTimes them. They’re not stupid; they know what’s going on. Rachel said, “You’re young and should think carefully before making any decisions, hon.” Which was confusing, but whatever.
All in all, we’ve been having fun.
We’ve been watching hockey together. I’ve never been a hockey fan, but seeing it through his eyes, knowing he used to play—the violence, the sheer chaos—I’m starting to like it. Kayden noticed, of course, and said he’ll take me to a game someday.