Chapter 29

“Shane?”

“What?”

“What’s going on?” Chloe asked delicately.

Shane snorted.

“You’ve not been yourself lately,” Chloe continued in a gentle tone. “You’ve been withdrawn and irritable, you’re off your food, Steve says you’ve been skipping out on cadets…something’s the matter, isn’t it?”

“Whatever gave you that idea,” Shane muttered darkly.

“Is there a particular reason you don’t want to go?” Chloe said slowly.

“Yes,” Shane said shortly.

“…But your father doesn’t know what they are, Shane. Or if he does, he doesn’t know that they’re so—”

“He doesn’t know at all,” Shane said flatly, and folded his arms. He hunched his shoulders, a chill prickling at his skin. Dad did not know, and if it were up to Shane, he never would know.

“You can talk to me,” Chloe whispered into the quiet, and Shane laughed. It was a bitter and hollow sound, and it hurt his throat. “Shane…”