Page 8 of April’s Fool

Until then, I’m gonna try to crash. At least for a little while before the nightmares catch up with me.

Chapter 5

APRIL

“You don’t have to leave for school for another few days,” Twister grumbles, arms crossed, watching me closely.

After my birthday yesterday, I decided to head back to school earlier than I had planned. Not that I really wanted to be anywhere near Samuel longer than I need to, but I have things I need to get done. By going back early, I can hopefully avoid my tormentor and his friends while focusing on what I need to.

“I know, but I’ve got to get some projects done,” I tell him, seeing Horse, Thorn, and Hades closing in. It’s bad enough having to explain to Twister, but if some or even all of them get in on it, it makes it that much harder to do.

I’ve seen all of these men as father figures, especially Twister and Horse, while the others are like uncles. All protective. All opinionated. But in the best way possible.

“You can do that shit here,” Twister declares. “We haven’t had a chance to look over the car yet. Remember, you’re supposed to have it looked over when you’re home.”

“I know, but it’s only for a few more months. I think my car will be fine for the time being. It’s not like you guys don’t keep her in prime condition. Besides, if something does happen, I know how to work on her.” Between what my dad taught me and what these guys taught me, I’m pretty knowledgeable about cars. I can change my own tire, do oil changes, and even transmission flushes.

“What’s really going on?” Horse demands, brow cocked, eyes assessing.

“Nothing.” Okay, I didn’t mean to say it that quickly, but it just came out. “I need to be able to go to the library for research. My project counts for half my grade, and if I can get it done early, I won’t have to stress about it when graduation comes.”

“Fine, I don’t like it, but I know how you are about your grades,” Twister says, giving in, still laser-focused on me. “You know the rules. You call when you get there.”

“You know I will.” I nod, smiling at them. “Just think, soon I’ll be done with school, and you guys won’t have to worry anymore.”

“Darlin’, we’re all gonna worry about you no matter where you are.” Hades grunts and shrugs. “It’s a dad thing.”

The very fact that Hades would say this makes something inside me ache. I wish more than anything, no matter how much I love my dad, that I’d been born a kid to one of these guys.

I give each of the guys a hug and go in search of Kayla and Mercy. I told them last night, after we finally made it back to our room, about going back to school. I thought about it a lot yesterday after the call from Samuel. I knew going back would be easier. Mostly so I could get things done ahead of time and make it so I have to spend less time anywhere near where Samuel might find me. But more than that, being here puts me too close to someone figuring out that things aren’t quite right at school.

On my way, I run smack into Fool—the man who haunted my dreams last night.

“Oh, um, sorry,” I tell him, taking a step back. “I didn’t mean to . . . you know, walk right into you.”

“It’s all good,” Fool rasps, clears his throat, and grants me a beautiful smile. One I doubt he shares often. “Don’t apologize for walking into me. Though you should pay more attention to where you’re goin’.”

“Right.” I nod, doing my best to keep my breathing steady. “Um, see ya later.”

“Yeah, later,” he grunts back.

I wish I could take the time to stick around and maybe talk to him more. But I can’t. I need to get out of here before I end up breaking down and saying screw it all. I don’t need or want my problems to become the club’s problems. If they were to find out, I’ve no doubt that one or all of them would come to my aid and raise all kinds of hell.

None of which I need.

The way I look at it, I’ve got only a couple more months of my hell to live through, and then I’m done. No more.

TWISTER

Watching April, I feel a strong urge to punch something. She’s holding something inside and not revealing it, and this has been going on for some time. Overhearing her yesterday confirmed my suspicions. However, like my girl, she’s stubborn and won’t let anyone share her pain.

“We gonna just let her go back to school early?” Horse grunts, eyes fixed in the same direction.

“It’s what she wants, and we gotta let her,” I tell him. I don’t like it, but I won’t hold her back.

April might be my daughter’s best friend, but she’s just as much a daughter to me as Mercy is. Same with Horse. With the three girls so close, it’s impossible not to think of her as one of ours. The three girls have always been inseparable, except when they went off to school. It wasn’t easy to let my daughter go off to college, but for a while I had someone tailing her every move before my woman convinced me to pull back and let her live her life.

Doesn’t mean I don’t still keep an eye on them best I can.