Hard Wired Trilogy DeAnna Pearce (if you give a mouse a cookie read aloud txt) 📖

Chapter Twenty-One

The days went by uneventfully with homework, virtuals, and the usually derisive comments from Wake. Studying proved difficult as her mind kept traveling back to Reed and her supposed abilities. By the way Garrett acted, she felt like she might already know the answer about her being a warper. But what could she do about it? As much as she had initially hated the VR, she was slowly growing used to the idea of designing virtuals as a career. Dave’s warnings rang in her ears though. She wanted a life on her terms, not anyone else’s.

On Wednesday, Reed finally messaged her. He wanted to meet at the cafeteria for dinner. Ari agreed and went down early, thinking she could use the time to catch up on some reading.

She had her tablet out reading through an article with a drink in her hand when Reed slid into the chair beside her. His shoulder brushed against her, sending a chill down her spine. She had missed him.

“Hey.” She smiled up at him.

“I think I found a way, but it will be tricky.”

Ari swallowed. “I can work with tricky.”

“We can try this Friday night. I’ll work out some of the details with Garrett.”

He pushed his chair back as if to leave, but Ari caught his arm. She wasn’t about to let the uneasiness between them grow.

“I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you sooner. I was scared. I don’t want things to—”

“It’s Garrett,” Reed spat out. “He’s driven me crazy this year. I couldn’t stand you being with him whether we were together or not. And you went to him before me.” He turned his fiery stare at Ari. “I don’t know what drives me crazier, that I’m actually jealous of him or that you are with him.”

“Were,” Ari corrected him. “It’s been past tense for some time, and it’ll stay that way. I needed his help. I know he was a jerk before—”

“Still is,” Reed added. “Remember I work with him.”

“Yes, but I need him, okay? This is sort of a big thing.”

“I know.” Reed reached across and grabbed Ari’s hand.

His warm fingers tightened around hers. Her chest ached at the pain she caused him, and for the first time, she let herself acknowledge the fear that their relationship might end. Reed had been the one thing since coming to school that felt right, and she couldn’t imagine a future without him.

“So, this Friday, you and me?” she asked hoping they could do this together.

“Yeah, this Friday. But I don’t think I can wait for Friday for this.” Reed leaned in to kiss Ari in a way that was probably inappropriate for public display, but neither of them cared.

Friday night there was another party starting later than usual, at one in the morning. They needed the party to be later for Reed, who was planning on deleting the footage in the system’s weekly clean up. He also wanted several other students plugged in, just in case it didn’t work. They were planning on switching the feeds, so it wouldn’t track back to Ari even if they were caught.

Garrett told Ari he didn’t like that part. He didn’t like the chance that his whole business could be at stake. It had taken him two years to set up and some things he wasn’t willing to sacrifice. Ari couldn’t blame him.

Ari brought Tessa, because she could use the extra support, even if Tessa believed she was sneaking into another VR party. They walked off the trail, crunching over frozen grass. The bright moon helped to light their path.

“Sometimes I think these parties are all a big ruse,” Tessa said as they approached the student center.

“Really?

“Yeah, think about it. You really don’t think the faculty notices twenty kids sneaking off to the virtuals every week or so?”

“We block our tracers though, and the bribe—”

“I know, I know. Truthfully, I think the faculty doesn’t care. They want us to push the limits in the virtuals. Either way, I’m not complaining. But I don’t think they are as naive as we think they are.”

Ari hoped it wasn’t true. She was counting on them being blind to what they were doing. She glanced at Tessa and wondered if she should tell her about being a warper. It’s not like Tessa would say anything, heck she would probably give her advice. They arrived at the lab before Ari had a chance to talk to her. They went inside to find Garrett and Reed waiting at the door.

“Make it okay?” Reed placed an arm around her.

“Yeah.”

A couple slid in behind them and went to pay Garrett. “Go ahead and pick your machines. The virtual is loaded if you want to start. Others will join you soon.”

Tessa handed him a fifty.

“You don’t have to—,” Reed said, but Garrett interrupted him.

“Sorry, chap. I’m not really a good friend of your dear Ari anymore, and I’ve got bills to pay.”

Ari rolled her eyes and before Reed could argue, Tessa cut them off.

“No worries. I got it,” she said with a shrug and headed to a machine.

“You can plug in, Ari, but don’t start getting freaky without me,” Garrett said with a slight wink.

Ari knew he only made the comment to get a rise out of Reed.

“You aren’t going in with her,” Reed objected.

“You have to stay out here to wipe the files, and someone should be in there with Ari to make sure no one else notices.”

“Tessa is in there,” Reed pointed out.

“Does she know about Ari yet?”

They both looked at Ari, who shook her head.

“Sorry, dude. Don’t worry. I’ll take care of her.”

“That’s what makes me worried.”

“I think I can take care of myself,” Ari interrupted. “Don’t you remember who ended up on top of our last fight?”

“Oh, yes, I remember.” Garrett’s smile grew as Ari realized what she had said might not have come across right.

“Whatever,” she mumbled, trying to blow off his innuendo. She turned to Reed who didn’t look happy. “I’ll be fine,