The Risk (Kings of Linwood Academy 3)

A look of immediate concern crosses his face, and he reaches me in two strides, grabbing my arms and pulling me out of the way of the flow of students as they file into the hall, dropping his head to bring his face level with mine.

“What is it? Your mom? Dunagan?”

I shake my head mutely, then grab one of his hands and pull him farther down the corridor, slipping into the library. There are a few students bent over tables working on some project or other, but I tug Linc toward one of the little meeting rooms in the back. Officially, we’re supposed to reserve time if we want to use them for group projects or whatever, but kids sneak into them all the time to fool around since they’re empty more often than not.

Once we’re tucked away in the little room, Lincoln pulls his hand out of mine and cups my face between his palms, staring at me with a look of growing worry.

“What happened, Harlow? What?

?s going on?”

“Are your parents getting divorced?” I whisper.

He stiffens. “What? Who told you that?”

“Savannah.”

“How the fuck did she find out?”

“I don’t know. She knows about Paige and the blackmail too.” I hurry on, because even though Savannah is a conniving bitch, that’s not what I want to talk about right now. “She said your parents are getting divorced. Is it true?”

Lincoln hesitates for a moment, his tongue darting out wet the corner of his mouth. Then he drops his head and sighs.

“Yeah. When my dad said he wanted to talk to me the day you and River and I—” He breaks off, as if he doesn’t like associating that incredible moment between us with what apparently came after. “Well, that’s what he wanted to talk to me about. To tell me he and my mom are getting divorced.”

“Fuck,” I breathe. “Linc, I’m so sorry. Why didn’t you tell me?”

He shrugs, and I can tell he’s trying to play it off like it’s not a big deal. But even though he’s good at bluffing, I can see through the lie this time. He’s hurting.

“You had so much other shit going on. I didn’t want to pile on, especially when there’s really nothing you or I or anyone can do about it. It just is what it is.”

I step forward, wrapping my arms around him. He stiffens for a second, like he’s afraid he’ll weaken me by leaning on me. Like it’ll be too much for me to bear.

But what he doesn’t understand is, I’m stronger when I’m with him. Even if it means carrying a heavier load.

His body loosens slowly, and he wraps his arms around me and drops his head, bringing our bodies so close together it’s hard to tell where I end and he begins.

“It fucking sucks, Low,” he whispers hoarsely. “I think my dad is actually heartbroken about it. He’s a mess. But if he’s so sad about losing his marriage, I don’t know why he wrecked it in the first place.”

“I’m sorry you had to deal with it on your own.”

My voice is muffled by his chest, but I make no effort to move. I can barely breathe with my face smushed against him like this, but I don’t care. His spicy coriander scent surrounds me, and I can feel the warmth of his skin through the soft long-sleeved tee he’s wearing.

“I’m sorry you had to find out from fucking Savannah,” he mutters, a growl in his voice.

“She told me if I don’t leave her alone and do whatever she wants, she’ll spread it all over school.” I finally pull back a little as I say that, guilt twisting in my gut at the thought that Savannah might go after him to get to me. “I told her I’d do whatever she wants,” I add quickly.

Lincoln blinks down at me, his amber eyes unreadable. Then he shakes his head.

“No, you won’t.”

“Yes.” I tighten my arms around him. “I will. Linc, this could be really bad if it gets out. Your dad has spent months negotiating with this woman to try to keep her quiet. And Savannah could make sure pretty much all of Fox Hill finds out.”

He shrugs. “Then let her.”

I swallow. What?

What he’s saying doesn’t make any sense.