Cameron shed an apologetic smile. "Sorry, Austin. I''m already meeting someone."


    Austin''s mouth opened, then snapped shut. He jogged to keep pace. "Who''s the lucky friend? Mind if I join you?"


    She stopped. "It''s Brad."


    "Come on, can''t I join?"


    Cameron just stared at him.


    "Cameron!" Bradley''s voice sliced through the hallway.


    She spun around. "Hey, Brad."


    In his blue uniform, he looked younger, almost carefree. His eyes flicked to Austin.


    "I didn''t expect to see you here."


    Austin nodded. "Do you think I can tag along?"


    Bradley nced at Cameron, then shook his head. "Sorry, man. We''ve got some stuff to hash out."


    Austin''s shoulders slumped. Cameron gave his arm a quick squeeze before falling into step beside Bradley.


    Elijah sidled up as they walked away.


    Austin watched them go, muttering, "Since when are they joined at the hip?"


    Elijah stayed silent, jaw tightening.


    Upstairs at the cafeteria, they imed a private room.


    As Cameron shut the door, she spotted Amelia at a table outside, surrounded by a new clique although Skyler had been expelled. With her family''s money, she''d always have followers.


    Cameron nodded. Amelia tipped her chin in return.


    Closing the door and sliding into a chair, Cameron asked, “All wrapped up?”


    Bradley hummed in agreement and scanned the menu. After checking with her, he ced their order.


    "Xander didn''t bother you today, right?" he asked.


    "Not a peep."


    "Thank god for that." He let out a relieved sigh, gazing quietly at her.


    Cameron traced her fingertips across her cheek. "Brad, what''s on your mind?"


    Bradley leaned forward, his voice serious. "Getting mixed up in Austin''s family drama? Not your smartest move, Cam."


    She bit her lip, silent.


    With anyone else, she''d have turned a cold shoulder. But Austin''s story mirrored her own past too closely.


    Back then, when despair threatened to swallow her whole, a helping hand would''ve made all the difference. She refused to watch Austin spiral down the


    same lonely path.


    His tone softened, but the warning lingered. "Toote to back out now. Just brace yourself. Samuel trashed Wace Vi yesterday Once he an done with the Waces, he''lle after you next."


    "I''ve thought this through, Brad. Thanks for looking out."


    He studied her determined expression, frustration seeping into his sigh. "If things


    go south-no questions asked. Just let me know.


    Hé wanted to protect her. The urge to shield her felt instinctive.


    Whenever trouble loomed, his first thought was putting himself between her and danger. Maybe that was just how deep real friendship ran.


    Bradley grew up with six brothers. They were his family, his crew-guys he''d known his whole life. So he never bothered making friends outside,


    But Cameron? He''d do anything to have her back.


    "I''ve got this, Brad," Cameron insisted.


    Bradley just grinned, thinking, ''Stubborn as ever."


    Down in the first-floor cafeteria, Xander bumped into Elijah and Austin.


    "Where''s that brat? Thought he''d be glued to you two," Xander said, craning his neck to peek behind them.


    Elijah''s brows knitted. He wondered, ''I talked to Ms. Murphy this morning. She promised to get Xander transferred. So what is he still doing here?


    it