The Game That Breaks Us (Us 3)

“I’m sorry,” I say.

“I’m hurt that you wouldn’t tell me. We talk every day. I understand not telling your dad, but me?”

The hurt in her voice kills me. “I forgot with all that I have going on.”

“Hmm,” she hums like she doesn’t really believe me. “You have a bigger problem on your hands, though.”

“What?” I grip the phone tighter and tip my head at the guy that brings my coffee and sandwich.

“Your dad saw the same photo I did—it’s everywhere—and he’s on his way to campus.”

“No,” I gasp.

“Yes.”

“He’s going to kill me.” I close my eyes and drop my head into my hand.

She laughs. “No, he’s going to kill Bennett. Your brothers are with him.”

“Not both of them,” I cry.

Granted, Dean is more of a lover than a fighter but still, I’d rather not deal

with the two of them. Maybe I could distract Dean with some Pokémon cards. I wonder if anyone on campus sells them? Lincoln, on the other hand, will be more difficult to distract. He might be my little brother, but he’s still insanely protective and as a football player he’s huge.

“Why didn’t you come with them?” I ask.

She sighs. “Your dad grabbed his keys, yelled that he was picking up Dean and was gone. I saw the photo on his computer which is how I found out, so I put two and two together and figured he’s on his way there.” She pauses. “Plus, I tracked his iPhone.”

“Mom, you stalker.” I laugh.

She laughs too. “Hey, you do what you have to do.”

“I was going to study, but I better go warn Bennett.”

“I hope he’s treating you well,” she says, worry in her tone. “I googled him—because I mean, he had to be someone important for your picture to show up on the internet—and he’s been pictured with a lot of women, Grace. So be careful.”

“I will, Mom. Promise.”

“I love you.”

“Love you too.” I hang up and eat my sandwich as quickly as possible. She didn’t say when they left, but I know it’ll take them at least ten hours without stopping, so I have some time.

I throw away my trash and gather up my stuff again and head over to Bennett’s dorm. I figure I can tell him and he can skip town if he wants. Granted, it’s not like my dad and Dean are all that threatening: they’re both tall and slender, whereas Bennett is tall and bulky like Lincoln—but Lincoln is young—besides, I really don’t think it will come to a fight. At least, I really hope not. But if my dad googled Bennett like my mom did, he might be pissed enough to hit him.

I make it to Bennett’s dorm and a guy that’s going out lets me in.

I’ve only been to Bennett’s dorm two other times—he usually comes to mine—but I remember where it is.

I bang on the door but there’s no sound on the other side. “Bennett,” I hiss. “Open this door right now. Bennett.” I bang some more.

The door behind me opens up and a guy with messy brown hair and sleepy eyes glares at me. “Can you keep it down? It’s Saturday.”

“Do you know where Bennett is?” I ask.

He shrugs. “Probably the rink.”

“Thanks,” I mumble and the guy disappears back into his room.