Before I get a chance to protest, or suggest I just find my mom and go, my bags are out of my hands and she’s herding me down a hallway and into a bright, airy dining room that’s full of people.

Sebastian is out of his chair and at my side in an instant, pulling me from his mom and into his arms as his lips descend to mine. He kisses me like there’s no one else in the room and when he finally lets me go and leans back, my lips feel kiss swollen and I’m shell-shocked. “Little bird, I was just coming up to fetch you.” The way he uses the nickname he’s given me like an endearment confuses me, then frightens me when I think about all the gilded cages on the wall upstairs.

“Let me introduce you to everyone, then you need to eat,” he tells me warmly, curling his arm around my back and pulling me into his side as he turns us to look at the curious faces sitting at the table. “Obviously you already know Evan, Clay and Hunter. Then this is my dad, Richard, beside him is Clay’s mom Heather and his dad Eric. Hunter’s dad Vance, his mom Mary, and then beside your mom is Evan’s dad Harry.”

I smile politely, offering them all an awkward wave as Sebastian leads me to the chair beside my mom and pulls it out for me. Waiting for me to sit, before he takes the seat beside me, he immediately starts to play with the bottom of one of my braids, lifting it to his face and rubbing the end over his lips.

“Honey, how are you feeling? You were dead to the world last night when I got here. I’m so glad you’ve quit your job, look what happens to you when you allow yourself to get so exhausted,” my mom chides, not saying a thing about the fact that the guy beside me just kissed me senseless, or that we’re in his house eating breakfast with his family right now.

“I didn’t quit, Sebastian got me fired,” I snap a little too loudly.

Mom tuts and purses her lips. “He was worried about you, honey, and I agree, you work too hard and with you being a sophomore now, you need to focus on your studies.”

My mouth falls open and I turn from her to glare at Sebastian. He’s smirking at me and I feel instantly aggravated. “Mom, we should get going, Courtney’s picking me up this morning.”

Dropping my braid, Sebastian places his hand on my thigh and squeezes. “She’s already been informed you don’t need a ride this morning.”

“What do you mean?” I ask slowly.

“I’m taking you to school.”

“I don’t need you to take me, I get a ride with my friend.”

Leaning in, he presses his lips to my ear. “From now on, I’m taking you to school and bringing you home afterward. Your friend has been advised.”