Page 20 of Tasting Innocence

“I didn’t know this was some fuckin’ secret passageway,” Trevor says, knocking on the desk-like piece of furniture attached to the wall.

“That’s a really narrow opening,” the other guy says. When I look at him, he says, “Sorry, I’m Bryant.”

“Hi Bryant. I think I’ve seen you around before.”

His cheeks flush. “I sort of know your brother.”

“Ah.”

Dex shakes his head and Trevor looks confused.

“Anyway, so this is what kept it hidden?” Dex asks. “A partial bookshelf with a desk?”

“Yeah, what’s in there?” Trevor asks, peeking his head inside.

“I don’t know, it was too dark to see and we don’t have our phones. We came down a stairwell from the third floor and got locked in.”

“I wonder if there’s anymore?” Trevor muses.

I shrug. “Well, I guess I’m gonna go to my room.” My eyes linger on Dex for a second longer than necessary. “I guess I’ll see y’all at dinner.”

“See ya,” Trevor replies, launching himself on the bed.

I’ve barely made it two steps into the hall before Dex is at my side. “Will I see you anytime besides dinner?”

I smile, but don’t look at him. Instead, my eyes meet my brother’s, who’s walking toward us. “I guess we’ll see.”

“Let me talk to you,” Renzo says, staring at Dex and moving past us toward a room.

My stomach sinks.