Free Breaking Fences (The Breaking Series) by Juliana Haygert

didn’t hide anything from him. If I told her how bad and lost I was feeling, she would tell him and he would try to do something about it. He would come here and threaten them, or he would shove me inside his SUV and drag me home.
    No, I didn’t want that.
    So I lied.
    Me: It’s wonderful. It’s better than I thought it would be. Love it here.
    Hannah: That’s great!
    Me: How’s Preta?
    Hannah: I think she misses you, but Argus is right there all the time. And Minuano throws a fit when they get too honey-like. It’s so hilarious! Lol
    Me: I miss her too.
    I started typing about the ranch, and Pepper and Midnight Dream, but stopped. If I told her about it, she would want details and she would ask me why I wasn’t there now, and I was unsure I would go back, so why tell her?
    Instead, I kept on lying.
    Me: Gonna go out to grab dinner with my roommate now.
    Hannah: Great. Have fun!
    Me: Thanks. Ate depois.
    Hannah: Tchau.
    I hit the end button and pulled my pillow over my head.
     
    ***
    “Let’s talk about your project for the semester,” the American history professor said on Monday morning. “This project alone will be 50 percent of your final grade.”
    He started on the details of the project—a forty-page essay to be researched and written as a small group—while I tried to ignore Jonah. He sat on my left and his right arm was on the armrest we shared, his torso leaning slightly toward me. He found out where I usually had lunch, when and where I went out for a walk to relax and exercise a bit, and the times I stopped by the library to study. Phoebe had nicknamed him The Creeper.
    I couldn’t say she was wrong about that.
    Most of the time, Garrett was with him. I didn’t get him. He wasn’t in college anymore, and he told me he worked full time at the ranch. So why was he on campus? And always with Jonah?
    The professor passed the sheet of paper where we had to sign our groups. Phoebe and I nodded to each other, confirming we were working on this together.
    The sheet got to Jonah first. He scribbled something on the paper, and then passed it along to the student behind him.
    “Hey,” I called him. “Why didn’t you pass it to me?”
    He flashed me one of his smug grins. “Because you’re already signed up.”
    “No, I’m not. You didn’t give me the damn paper.”
    “Don’t worry, Brazilian girl. We’re doing it together.”
    “What? No! I’m working on the project with Phoebe.”
    “I figured as much and put her in our group too.”
    Instead of helping me, Phoebe sank in her seat and pretended she didn’t know what we were talking about.
    “No. No.” I stood and went after the sheet of paper, but before I could get to it, the professor took it back.
    “Something wrong, Miss Fernandes?”
    “Um.” I slowly moved back to my seat. “Yes, well. Mr. Hudson added himself to my group without consulting my partner and me. We would like to remove him.”
    “Ouch,” Jonah muttered.
    The professor looked at the paper, then back at Jonah and me. “Well, Mr. Hudson is repeating this class. I guess he could use some help from you and Miss Erickson.”
    I sat and stared at Jonah. “You’re repeating this class?”
    He shrugged. “What? Last semester was my first semester as the president of The Bat. I had too many parties to attend, no time for studying.”
    I shook my head. “But he could endanger our project,” I protested.
    “Then I suggest you accept this challenge, Miss Fernandes.” The professor set the paper on his table. “I won’t accept any changes to the groups, and I expect a full report of your essay topics and how you’ll approach it by next Tuesday.” I opened my mouth to argue more, but he kept going. “Now, open your books to chapter eight.”
    I glanced at Jonah, who still held that conceited grin. “So annoying.”
    He shrugged. “Most girls say that before they fall at my feet.”
    Meu Deus , I needed a mountain of patience or I would strangle him before we even