Page 90 of Group Studies
I managed to close my mouth, my entire body warming.
“It’s on Mêler already,” Saffron growled. “I didn’t do it quietly.”
I almost dropped my phone in my haste to pull it out.
It went down in the packed cafeteria, swarming with students. Mercedes went from a ball of tears to a sparking comet of anger and magic. Green vines launched from her hands. The two guys I’d seen Saffron with the most grabbed Mercedes’ shoulders, her magic crashed into the ceiling shorting the lights instead of skewering Saffron.
My heart beat with excitement and ghoulish delight. I peeked at Saffron’s stormy gaze before watching the video again.
An MA agent gripped Mercedes' arms. He leaned down and said something to her, his lips almost touching her ear. She went white. He physically shook her before dragging her out of the cafeteria
My heart caught in my throat.
“Is Mercedes okay?” I asked, thinking of the handprint a MA agent left on Yasmine’s arm, and the girls Gabe told me about who stopped coming to class.
Saffron’s jaw dropped this time. “That’s your first question?”
I rewound the video, trying to make out what the MA said to Mercedes. Something, not a cramp, made my gut churn. I paused it on the MA agent’s face, the same one from the cosmetology wing.
“I don’t like this,” I said. “MA agents have been picking on students...this one gave me a really bad feeling.”
Ashe shook his head. “Why would an MA officer pick on anyone?” He held his palm out. “There’s no big conspiracy, A. We’re all here doing our fucking job.”
I pinned Saffron with a glare. “Where did they take Mercedes?”
“Really?” Saffron bristled. “Aphy, I fucked up my entire life for you.”
He stepped toward me, and Ashe slipped between us.
“I did all of this for you,” Saffron said angrily, looking around Ashe.
I sucked in an angry breath. “No, Saff, you did this for yourself! I wasn’t worth fighting for until you realized I could get pregnant. Until I could give you something you valued.” I hated how I twisted his words, but they were still true. “What happened to ‘Gibson Family Supplies depends on me?’”
Saffron shuffled around Ashe so he could see me. “It still does.” He said evenly. “I’ve notified my family. I’m not going through with my engagement. Even if it’s a setback for their plans, I will find a way to make us work.”
My posture fell. “Saffron, I can’t suddenly be with you because of one gesture. No matter how big it is. I’ve spent more time between your legs than talking to you. God, I hate Mercedes, but living here, seeing how this place shapes people and the mind games you played with both of us...” I trailed off, leaving the words we both knew are true unsaid. He didn’t want me until I could give him something he desperately wanted, needed.
Guilt flooded Saffron’s eyes, but he didn’t look away from me.
I pushed on. “If the MA hauled Mercedes away, she’s locked somewhere completely under someone else’s power. And she’s terrified.”
Saffron’s yellow rims burned into me. “So, there’s no chance for us?”
Ashe snorted.
I wanted to deck both of them. “I didn’t say that.”
Ashe stiffened and turned to me to protest, but I kept talking. “This isn’t about your grand gesture anymore, as much as I will probably enjoy it later. How long ago was this?” I pointed to the screen.
Saffron took another step around Ashe to stand at my side, his eyebrows drawn together. “Five minutes, maybe longer.”
I flushed and took Saffron’s hand. “For the number of times and ways we’ve fucked, I honestly barely know you. But what I do know; you're loyal to a fault. You’re just as messed up as everyone else in here, even if you won’t admit it. You and Keith are meant for each other.”
Saffron squeezed my hand. “The three of us are.”
I snorted. “Let’s make it five then because Beryl and Ashe are already dating.”
“That was a fucking joke,” Ashe growled. though I saw him rubbing his butt as he said it. “Kitten-”