“Hmm. I’ll take it. Look at you being such a good girl. Now,” his eyes darkened, grin widening. “You said you want answers? I can give you some, but...you need to take the news easily. Finish your pie so you’re comfortable.”

He wanted me to comply with his every demand. Asshole. It was hard to take him so seriously with how aloof he was. I never thought he’d be the type to be so playful. He was blunt, intense, distant, and above all, a major playboy. What was his angle? I wasn’t keen to trust him–or Kelly for that matter. Both of the people sitting in front of me had secrets beyond my wildest imaginations, and I wasn’t sure how much news I could handle.

Paranoia threatened me. The danger on–and off–campus was enough to make someone feel like they were losing their mind. I was handed this world on a silver platter and I had no idea how to navigate it. What would come next? I worried that I would become a target in my naivety, an open target for someone to try to take down for not being deeply entrenched in the depths of criminal business practices.

Was this how the wealthy lived? Beyond the law? The government?

“Business isn’t black and white. That’s what you get for tonight. Stick with me and I’ll keep you safe.” He refocused on the food, piling more onto his plate for a second round. “Can I stay again? I’ll behave.” His question was directed at Kelly, not me.

She chewed while pretending to ponder the question. “Hmm.” Rubbing her chin, she played into the joke. “Maybe I should ask my mom if you can stay; I’m not sure if she likes me having boys over. What do you think, Mom?” She smiled at me. Both of these people are assholes, my God.

“You two are ridiculous. Both of you do whatever you want.”

He leapt to his feet with an evil grin spread across his face as he strode to the kitchen. Opening the fridge and rustling around, you’d think Brent owned the place. My house was not his place to pretend to be this comfortable at. The fridge was also not his to rummage through.

Kelly also stood, stretching out her limbs with a yawn. “You two don’t moan too loud today. I’m going to call it a night. Brent, thanks for the food,” she said, leaning over to place a kiss on the top of my head, wrapping an arm around me in a hug. “Love you.”

“Love you too, dude,” I replied, looking up at her. She had a sad smile, eyes full of an unsaid apology.