Crux Year

Chapter Nine - Royal

Focus.

Stop thinking about his lips and taste and touch.

I wish Dad Morgan were here. Not necessarily at school with me, but just here. Not locked up in some torture chamber because he doesn't love his cruel husband. If Dad Morgan were here, I'd be able to tell him the truth about what me and Shay did. He'd have advice on what to do or, at the very least, be able to explain to me my scattered emotions.

Like...why does Shay make me want to stay?

At the very place I hate.

But Dad isn't here. I can't ask him. All I can do is navigate this strangeness alone. Shay has made it clear how he feels. He buys into the Crux Year matching. It's his life and he'll go down the path they set for him, abiding by their rules even if he doesn't like them.

When Dad Morgan first started showing signs of his desire to leave Dad Vince, I remember feeling this fire inside me. I wanted to change the system. Be someone who could help. If that meant getting into politics like Dad Vince, then I was ready for it. I'd never been a fan of being forced into a love match, but when things between my parents began to crumble, I knew more than anything I wanted to make my own choices.

Those changes I once thought I could have a hand in are irrelevant now.

They'll keep my dad captive until he gives in to their psychological reprogramming. No one will listen to his concerns or allow him to leave his husband. His only way out is with me.

Just yesterday I thought I could leave this wretched city alone until I could formulate a plan to come back for Dad Morgan. Now, I realize there's no time. He told me to run, but I can't. Not without him.

I'm going to break him free.

Everyone in class is focused on Mr. Preston as he rambles about home robotics. Shay sits beside me, eyes cutting to me every few minutes. I feel his stare like the heat of the sun. It saturates through my skin and soaks the muscles, infiltrates my blood, and settles in my bones. It's distracting to say the least.

While everyone is paying attention to the lesson, I skim through the Rock City directory on my computer on a hunt for Dr. Wander. Eventually, I stumble across Dr. William Wander. Married to Gary Wander. They don't have any children from the looks of it. Dr. Wander is also on the Rock City golf team. It doesn't take long for me to pick through the online calendar at the golf clubhouse to see when the team plays and practices. I scribble down some dates before closing out of the calendar.

"What are you doing?" Shay whispers.

I glance over at him, stupidly letting my gaze fall to his lips. I'm already craving another rush of him. "Nothing."

"Liar."

Shrugging, I tear my attention from him to focus on hunting down the staff that works at the rehabilitation facility. There's a nurse who works there when Dr. Wander is out golfing and some nights. He's young—about twenty or so. David Holmes. If I can somehow take down David, maybe I can get to Dad Morgan and get him out of there.

David's picture in the directory has me cringing. The guy is huge. Bigger than me. Overpowering him isn't an option. I'll need to distract him so I can swoop in and out without an altercation.

"Royal."

Shay's voice has me snapping my head his way. His blue eyes are sharp as he assesses me. He already knows I plan on leaving, so there's no point in hiding it from him. Leaning closer to him, trying not to get distracted by his scent, which today is bordering on sweet like syrup, I whisper, "You made it clear you don't want to help."