36. Chapter Thirty Five

Chapter Thirty Five

Skyla

A sher was going to drive me, but I had to get to class early to talk with Professor Corwin about catching up on some assignments. With the time Asher and I spent out of school, I've struggled to balance the catch-up game, and I'm hoping he will cut me a little slack.

Wesley brought me my cider and my favorite lemon loaf cake. Since he picked me up, we haven't spoke much, mainly just driving in comfortable silence, that is until we round the block near the university.

"So, am I going to have to commandeer another boat and pull you out of the Atlantic Ocean today or?"

I roll my eyes, shooting him a very unimpressed look that forces him to smile.

"Ha ha, you're hilarious. You should have let me drown."

"Afraid I couldn't have let that happen, it would be a direct risk to my health," he says as he pulls up to the curb, putting the car in park.

"Why? Because the guys would break all the bones in your body if you let something happen to me?" I tease.

He scoffs. "Absolutely not. None of those guys intimidate me."

I lift an eyebrow in question. "Then how would me getting hurt be a risk to your health?"

"My heart," he says dramatically, resting his hand over his chest as he slips out of the car.

I can't help but laugh at that, still smiling when he opens the door. Instead of letting me slide out, he lowers himself, pushing his body to hang halfway into the car.

"You laugh, but it's the truth," he smiles before a seriousness takes over. "We were all very worried about you."

My smile slowly starts to drop, my eyes moving from his and down to his mouth before back to his eyes again.

"Is there…something…between us," I hedge softly, my breathing increasing slightly as I do.

Those deep blue eyes sparkle with curiosity as he tilts his head to the side, closing the distance between us as he speaks.

"Do you want there to be something between us, little one?"

I swallow, butterflies fluttering through me at the nickname. I love all the little nicknames my guys have for me. I mean, my boyfriends, obviously. Wesley most definitely not included. We couldn't be together even if that's what I would want…not that it is. It probably wouldn't hurt to have at least one male friend that I'm not in a relationship with. I can't be greedy and have every attractive man who looks my way…right? Right.

"I-I don't know," I answer honestly, hating the way my voice shakes as I do.

He nods thoughtfully before his hand lifts, running his thumb over my lower lip before pulling it down. My lip goes down until he releases it with a simple flick, my lip bouncing back into place though where he touched is still tingling.

"You let me know when you figure it out," he says, his eyes tracing over my face one more time before pulling away.

Wesley stands up, holding the door open like a proper chauffeur. Sliding out of the seat, I nod my thanks, not sticking around for any more sultry moments together. The more space that I can give us, the better.

Maggie meets me at our usual spot, pulling me in for a hug before we fall into step.

"You waited for me?" I ask.

She nods. "I was with Asher and Ronan when they got word that Vincent found you."

I grimace at that. "They weren't mean to you, were they?"

Maggie lifts her eyebrow and laughs.

"Babe, they are mean to everyone who isn't you."

Shrugging at that, I continue. "But still, they didn't…hurt you, did they?"

She shakes her head. "Though I'm not gonna lie, I thought Asher's head was going to explode while I was playing stupid. Ronan looked like he was two seconds away from stringing me up by my toes," she laughs.

I shake my head at her. "You know, normally people wouldn't find either of those things to be funny."

"Most people don't have an awesome sense of humor like me," she shrugs, as she opens the class door for me. "Besides, I know they are just protective of you. How could I be mad at them for trying to love on my bestie?"

I roll my eyes, but I can't help but smile because she's got a point. They can be overbearing as hell at times, but I can't forget for a moment how lucky I am to have all of these incredible men that are in love with me, that want to keep me safe and protected.

As we make our way up to our seats, I turn to respond when something catches my eye, forcing my attention back over to my seat.

My stomach instantly turns, my body on full alert as I stare down at the single stemmed rose. I see a small tag attached to it, fear filling me to the brim as I creep towards the flower, lifting the tag with shaky hands.

Only a little longer until we're together. Stay patient. I love you.

Maggie leans over, reading the note before cursing under her breath.

"That's not from one of the guys, is it?"

I shake my head as Liam comes into the room, stopping at the bottom of the stairs as his eyes seek mine out. When his eyes meet mine, though, he knows something is wrong. Lifting up the rose, I wave it to him as his mouth rounds and I can see him say, ‘oh shit'.

He gestures for me to come to him and I do as he says, bringing the rose with me. Liam reads the tag, a pinched look crossing his face as his eyes roam around the room. There is hardly anyone here today, maybe because it's still twenty minutes before class starts. Still, it had to be someone in here, right?

Whatever Liam was looking for, he clearly comes up short before shaking his head again and gesturing for the door.

"C'mon, we're going home."

I don't bother to argue, a slimy feeling of unease settling into my bones as I look around the room accusingly. As if the stalker is about to pop out at any moment shouting ‘Boo! Gotcha!'.

Liam turns in his crutches, making his way for the door as Professor Corwin steps inside, giving us a frown.

"Where are you two going?"

Liam doesn't answer, and I turn to do so when I think better of it. What am I supposed to explain? That I have had a stalker for months now, that he's becoming aggressive and is now leaving me notes and roses in class? Yeah, for some reason, I don't think that would go over well.

It only takes a few phone calls for all of the guys to meet us in the pool hall, minus Vincent, who is away doing god knows what. Ronan locks the door behind us as the guys begin reading the note,

"Do we think it's the stalker or maybe a copycat situation?" Liam throws out.

"What about the teacher? He has to unlock the class before anyone can get in," Asher points out.

"Yeah, but most of the time the teachers fuck off to the lounge as soon as they do, not even bothering to go inside," Ronan says.

Asher turns to face me.

"Think about it, princess. Think hard. Is there anyone in that class who has ever made you uncomfortable? Stared at you for too long? Taken an interest in you? Overall given bad vibes?

I shake my head, my brows furrowed as I rack my brain to think of something useful when I still. Oh, my god.

"Yes," I say, the revelation a surprise to even me.

"Who?" they all demand at once.

My eyes move from all of them as I roughly swallow.

"Andrew Hutchinson."

Understanding dons on Liam's face before he nods.

"He's always had a thing for Skyla. He sits right in front of her and usually watches her walk in and out of the room."

"Well, let's go have a little chat with him," Ronan suggests.

Asher nods. "Let's. Can someone call Wesley? Tell him he needs to get back here and get Skyla home."

"Wait, home?" I ask.

Asher nods. "As of right now, you won't be leaving the house. Period."

"But what about my schoolwork? I can't afford to fall behind, Asher."

"We'll bring your work home. It'll be fine."

"I don't know, Ash. If she doesn't want to stay home, I don't blame her," Liam says.

"I agree. She can still come to school, we just need to be more vigilant," Ronan says.

Asher throws his arms out to his sides.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize this was a town council meeting. Let me simplify this for you all. My wife, my call. She's staying home."

"Are you really going to keep playing that card?" Liam drawls sarcastically.

"Absolutely. If any of you could, I know you would. Don't pretend otherwise."

They are all silent, proving once and for all that men are nothing but possessive cavemen.

"Clear?" Asher asks, extra douchey this time.

We all grumble, including me, before he nods his head and I pull out my phone, dialing Wesley.

"Can you come pick me up?"