“That makes sense. Though I can’t imagine why they’d pay you for that.”

He’s only trying to get a reaction, and I know it, but that doesn’t stop my irritation from bubbling over until I have to say something. “I’m actually pretty good at math, and history was always my best subject.”

“You’re such a nerd.” It’s funny, though. He doesn’t sound as nasty as usual when he says it. I’m under no illusions here. We’re not friends. But at least he’s not being cruel. It’s amazing how little I’ve come to expect.

“Yo, what are you doing in here?” Nix shows up out of nowhere, and the entire energy between us changes. If I didn’t know better, I would think some of Colt’s posturing and cruelty is due to his brother’s influence. I’m not going to fool myself into believing that. I know I can’t trust Colt; he’s proven it to me. But I can’t pretend there isn’t a difference in Colt’s expression now that Nix is standing beside him. He’s harder, colder.

Nix sneers down at me. “Hard at work? I guess if you don’t have any friends, there’s not much else to do.”

“She’s too good for the job we got for her,” Colt reminds him, wearing a nasty smirk. “You can’t even be nice to some people.”

“And that’s why you don’t have any friends,” Nix decides. “Because you don’t know how to be grateful.”

“I’m sorry, but a job at the gym isn’t going to look as good on my résumé as tutoring.”

“You’re such a fucking loser.” All things considered, I’ve heard worse from him. “Don’t get used to it.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means things are going to change around here again once the parents get back.”

I don’t like the way he says it. The barely veiled threat under his words. “How?”

Rather than clue me in, he elbows Colt. “Come on. We’ve got shit to do.” Strange, but I can almost feel the expectation in the air when Nix stares at me. “Well?” he demands.

“Well, what?”

“Don’t you want to know what I’m talking about?”

“Not really. Have fun, whatever it is.” But I don’t turn away, back to the laptop. I’m not turning my back on them.

“Come on. She’s not worth it.” Colt pulls Nix away, and once they’re in the hall, he mutters something that makes him laugh in a way that sends a chill down my spine. Are they planning something? Or do they only want me to think they are, so I sit here worrying myself half to death?

Psychological warfare. That’s what they are doing to me.