After Death, Love Unveiled

Chapter 24

If it weren't for his rivalry with Asher, Lysander wouldn't have even bothered with this competition

When Elara overheard Lysander-usually so straight-laced-make a rare comment about Asher, she couldn't help but chuckle

"Wow, never pegged him for the gossiping type, Elara thought, though she knew Lysander was just being honest.

"You're seriously something else!" she exclaimed. "I mean, look at you-handsome, smart, great at sports. Every pri at my table today couldn't stop drooling over you."

"I don't even know who they are, Lysander said flatly

Elara laughed. "I know you don't. That's not the point-I'm just saying, you've got people mesmerized"

Lysander didn't respond, staying silent as usual.

After a pause, Elara asked, "Aren't you worried people might start talking? I mean, us hanging out together, so publicly, at school? You know how people are."

"What would they say?" Lysander shot her a confused look.

Elara smirked. "There's this rumor going around that I'm, you know, some rich guy's sugar baby. They're always whispering about it behind my back. My reputation's already trashed."

Lysander's expression didn't change. "I couldn't care less about that," he said firmly, "Besides, do you even look like the type who needs some old dude's money!"

Elara laughed again, shaking her head. He'd clearly heard the rumors all along but never said a word-until now.

"He doesn't show up just to play knight in shining armor, does he?' she wondered.

The driver pulled up and dropped them off at a restaurant for dinner.

Asher, saying: [I'm sorry:] That made her pause. An apology from Asher? Now that was out of the blue. Seemed like he wasn't too thrilled about her hanging around Lysander.

like eating?" Lysander asked, snapping her

whatever you're

ordered a few dishes, making sure to throw in some spicy ones, knowing she liked

having dinners together more often lately, and things between them were starting to feel

Lysander asked,

shook her head lightly.

a car accident just before her SATE Now, she was working hard every day, hoping to boost her grades, but no matter how much effort

time came, she'd make sure he stayed home that day-anything to stop

Chapter 24

at the table,

hiding something serious, but since she wasn't talking, he

expression dark. The tension in the room was

sounded as indifferent as he felt about Jefferson's question. "Nothing? Didn't I tell you to win her back? What the hell

thin, "Why should I? She dumped me. What, you want me to crawl back, begging for another shot? I've got some danm pride, you

flicker of wanting her back. But at the same. time, breaking up with her

a flash, he stormed over and slapped Asher hard across the face. "You useless piece

had to screw things up with that broke-ass girl. Now look at what you've done! You let the big fish get away!

the spot under his bed where he'd stashed some money. Sure enough, every last dollar was

had any privacy. There were only a few places he could hide things, and his father

for his

Asher stepped out of the house. Jefferson was already

his father had disappeared, rage bubbled up inside him. He clenched his fists, then, without thinking,

Elara and Lysander walked out of the restaurant

hurried to open an umbrella and escorted Elara to the car with a