“Absolutely nothing, I’m simply appreciating your form.”

He pulled a pair of light blue boxer briefs up his legs and over his bare backside. “Is that so?”

I pulled the sheet across the room with me, hunting for something casual to wear to Brown.

“That’s not fair at all. I should be allowed to appreciate as well,” he smiled. That smile quickly faded as he pulled me behind him.

Bex knocked twice before walking in. “Geez! Really?” he yelled, closing the door.

“Knocking doesn’t count if you just walk in!” Jared growled.

I backed into the closet, mortified.

The door opened again, and Jared sighed. “We are allowed privacy,” he said, his voice low and angry.

“I’ve seen it all before,” Claire said. “Hey,” she smiled, poking her head into the closet. “You wanna hang out today?”

“Don’t even think about it,” Jared warned.

“She’s learning, isn’t she?” Claire snapped. “She’s got to see it sometime!”

“She’s not learning that,” Jared said.

“You’ve got business today, anyway,” Bex said.

Kim walked in, confused by the number of people in the room coupled with our lack of clothing. “I’ll just wait outside.”

“I’ll go, too,” Bex said.

Jared glared at Bex, and then at Claire. “She’s not ready.”

“I need her for a distraction in case Ryan shows up,” Claire said, irritated that she had to explain.

“So now she’s bait?” Jared seethed. “No.”

“Why don’t you tell me what’s going on and let me make the decision?” I said. Being spoken about as if I weren’t in the room was quickly becoming my least favorite thing.

“Claire’s going to take out Anderson,” Jared said, frowning.

“You’re going to kill him?” I asked. Claire nodded. “Right now?”

She watched me, annoyed.

“But, I have class,” I said, completely aware of how ridiculous the words sounded.

Jared pushed Claire and Bex backward. “That settles it. Out.”

Claire ducked under her brother’s arm. “If Ryan shows up, you could help. Otherwise it could get bad. He might try to protect him.”

“Wait,” I said.

Jared froze, and then turned to face me. “This is a bad idea. We can figure something else out.”

“Kim has class, too,” Claire said, her voice smooth and persuading. “Jared needs her help today.”

“She doesn’t go to class half the time, anyway, and still has a four-point-oh,” I grumbled. “Watch you take a man’s life?” I said, unsure.

“Yes,” C.aire said. “And to help if Ryan shows.”

“Okay,” I shut the closet door to dress.

I put on black jeans, a black turtleneck and pulled my hair back into a low bun. When I emerged, Claire’s face lit up.

“I have boots that would look amazing with that.”

“I can’t wear stilettos on a hit,” I said, shaking my head.

Claire wrinkled her nose. “Why not? I do it all the time.”