Stone Crest: Rise of a Raven

39. Chapter 39

Chapter thirty-nine

Raven

I t’s been two days. Two days that I’ve spent holed up in Locke’s guest room, eating brownies and watching the Vampire Diaries. Like that’s supposed to completely explain the last forty-eight hours of my life. I’ve also been ignoring my father’s calls. Which is why it’s currently ringing for the fifth time today.

Reluctantly I grab the device and answer.

“Hello.”

“I don’t like being ignored, Raven," my father snaps.

Funny, he ignored me my whole life. Unless it was to scold me.

“I’ve been busy.” It wasn’t a total lie.

I had been sorting through pictures of the gala as I laid here in my dungeon.

“Gemma told me you photographed the gala.”

“You talk to Gemma pretty regular,” I state.

“Of course I do. It’s how I keep tabs on you. Make sure you aren’t ruining the Cunningham name in Stone Crest like you did in New York.”

And there it is. He can’t let shit go.

“Nope. I’m being an upstanding student. Attending class. Making friends. Straight A’s.”

Sleeping with my professor who happens to be a wolf.

“Good. That’s what I like to hear.”

Rolling my eyes I pause the tv when there’s a knock at my door.

“I got to go. I’ll call you if I need bail money,” I say before I hang up.

Before I can pad over, Presley creaks the door open. I’ve been avoiding her too, seeing as Locke asked me to keep his secret between us. I hate lying to Presley. I hate going along with the story Declan has her believing, but it’s better than the truth at the moment. I may not be able to tell her the truth about Locke’s secret, but I can tell her one truth.

“Hey.” She smiles.

“You look nice.” I chuckle.

She’s wearing purple plaid pajamas, complete with panda bears.

“Jealousy is an ugly attribute, Raven.”

She flops down next to me, and we both stare at the ceiling.

“You remember the man on the motorcycle?” I ask.

“The giver of the orgasms? How could I forget?”

I elbow the side of her boob. “Stop it.”

“Yes, I remember.” She laughs.

“It was Locke.” I hold my breath as she stiffens next to me.

I count to three, about to blurt out just kidding, when she shoots up from the mattress.

“Holy shit. It makes sense.” She grips her hair, her eyes widening. “You slept with our professor.”

“It appears so.” I shrug.

“Are y’all like….” She lowers to sit on her knees. “Is that why we're staying here?”

“Sort of?” It’s a question. “It’s complicated.”

“I get it. So is banging your yoga instructor.” She snorts a laugh.

“You slept with your yoga instructor?” I ask in surprise.

Presley seems so put together. Walks the fine line. I haven’t even seen her go on one single date since I’ve been here.

“Me? God no.” She cringes. “One of my former classmates did. She got pregnant, then found out he had a whole ass family. It was scandalous.”

I can’t help but chuckle. I swear she knows the dirt on everyone. Mostly.

“I had no idea who he was. I found out when we went to class that first morning.”

“That’s why the tension was so thick.” She tosses her hands up. “And you walked out when he was an asshole.” She nods. “Good for you.”

I push myself up and lean against the headboard. “I’m not sure what it is…but….” I trail off.

“Is it serious?”

Yes. No. Can it be? I’m pretty sure I already know the answer.

“I think it might be,” I admit.

She takes her place next to me. “Your secret is safe with me, Raven.”

My eyes close, and for the first time in a long time it doesn’t gut me to let my heart be grateful for Presley. For a while I was nervous about sparking a new friendship. Replacing Bethany.

“Should we watch a movie?” She suggests before a deep cough comes from her chest. I’ve noticed her coughing more the last few days. Like she’s getting sick.

“Sure.” I glance at her. “You sound like shit.”

She ignores my concern. “I’m fine. Just a cold.”

“Whatever you say. You pick the movie.”

When my hand reaches for the remote, a deep roaring growl sounds from somewhere inside of the house. My stomach knots, and without another thought, I toss my covers aside and sprint towards the bedroom door.